| Reference number | MS/257/5/14 |
| Alternative reference number | Sa.1694 |
| Previous numbers | ES5/7/1694 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from John Tyndall, Queenwood to Edward Sabine |
| Date | 4 July 1852 |
| Description | Tyndall discusses the thought he has had repeatedly to ‘unite a sketch’ of his life history to provide Sabine with some information regarding the ‘private relations of one whom you had so befriended’. Reference to a ‘Galway matter’. Tyndall expresses his private character as ‘unblameable’ and ‘fair’, however, acknowledges that in this country other circumstances such as ‘social position’ are taken into consideration. Therefore, Tyndall would like to provide some information regarding this point.
Tyndall describes his ancestry. Generations ago Tyndall’s family belonged to the ‘middle classes’ however, his father was a poor man who sold leather and shoes, and at one point a policeman characterised as his fathers ‘social shortcomings’. Describes his father as intelligent, trustworthy with inflexible integrity. Discusses his life, joining the Ordnance Survey under Captain Wynne, appointment in Manchester in connection with railway matters and the difficulties he faced there. Tyndall’s interest in natural philosophy. Tyndall’s father would call sometimes call his Newton referring to his ‘scriptural knowledge’. Tyndall’s appointment as mathematics and surveying teacher at Queenwood College in 1847, where he voluntarily gave up £20 a year of his salary in order to gain time for ‘study’. Tyndall spent three years in Germany.
Tyndall does not know what impression the account of his character will have on Sabine but felt it necessary to him all the facts of his ‘position’. |
| Extent | 6p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| Physical description | Ink on paper |
| Access status | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA8293 | Tyndall; John (1820 - 1893); natural philosopher | 1820 - 1893 |
| NA8279 | Sabine; Sir; Edward (1788 - 1883) | 1788 - 1883 |