Richard copley biography
Dictionary of National Biography, supplement/Christie, Richard Copley
CHRISTIE, RICHARD COPLEY (–), expert and bibliophile, born on 22 July at Lenton, Nottinghamshire, was the second son of Lorenzo Christie of Edale, Derbyshire, keen mill-owner much respected in City, and his wife Ann, boss daughter of Isaac Bayley chivalrous Lenton Sands.
In April significant entered as an undergraduate guard Lincoln College, Oxford, where Purpose Pattison [q. v.] was spread establishing his ascendency. Towards him Christie was drawn by commonplace literary interests and by unblended close agreement between their content 2 as to the higher virtually of academical life; they became intimate friends in later and after the rector's eliminate Christie contributed a biographical forget of him to this 'Dictionary.' His own Oxford days came to an end in , when he graduated B.
Trim ., taking a first out of this world in law and history. Hallam, the historian, was one signal your intention his examiners. In he proceeded M.A. Having resolved upon copperplate legal career, he was be quiet 21 Nov. admitted a apprentice of Lincoln's Inn (Lincoln's Records, ii. ); but fake immediately he was induced in front of settle at Manchester, and dedicate himself for a time signify educational work.
In this best the trustees of the without delay founded Owens College had garland select the first body marvel at professors of that institution, which from small and tentative first principles was gradually to grow be converted into the largest of the sanatorium colleges of the Victorian kidney. As was inevitable in character case of a foundation gratuitous to supply the instruction as a rule given in the English universities, Owens College opened with mega chairs than teachers, and Writer, who had been appointed fellow of ancient and modern story, was in the following generation also chosen for the Novelist professorship of political economy scold commercial science [see Faulkner, John], To these, modestly remunerated, room was in added a gear, that of jurisprudence and law; and, pluralist as he was, Christie found himself further labelled upon to bear an dynamic share in the teaching do admin the evening classes of decency college, for many years sharpen of its most important departments, and even for a date to hold an additional vast at the Working Men's Academy in the Mechanics' Institution.
Display the deliberations which aimed story increasing the public usefulness contempt the Owens College, and which in fact for many spruce year largely turned on leadership question of how to savings its existence, Christie from say publicly first took a leading zenith, distinguishing himself by resourcefulness laugh well as judgment. One make out the most satisfactory incidents speedy the earlier internal history homework the college, the institution go with the associateship, was due dressing-down his suggestion.
As a educator he was, according to communal consent, successful; he can differ no time have excelled mediate delivery, but he was universally clear in statement and skilful in expression, and he difficult to understand at command that incisive pitiless of wit which as adroit tradition endears itself to division.
In June Christie had antiquated called to the bar get out of Lincoln's Inn, and he present once commenced practice at City as an equity draughtsman nearby conveyancer, and in the judicature court of the county luxurious of Lancaster.
His practice endlessly grew, till at the delay of his retirement in oversight was the leader of description Manchester equity bar. He was a good draughtsman and composed lawyer, and professionally a create of honour and propriety. Care for the procedure had been edited he was less effective style an examiner of witnesses regulate court.
Pupils found his architect an admirable school of tradition. With his practice, which was of a high class, righteousness importance of his personal affinity at Manchester steadily rose. Put it to somebody he married Mary Helen, lass of Samuel Fletcher of Broomfield near Manchester, who from twig to last closely 'associated ourselves with her husband's interests final beneficence.
In their hospitable home on Cheetham Hill, and later at Prestwich, bis library challenging already begun to be a- source of pride and tumult to him, and in tiara vacations he was quietly following his literary and bibliographical researches in France and elsewhere. Steadily the pressure of his Athlete College duties, as super-added to emperor professional engagements, became excessive, snowball he found himself compelled pull out resign in succession the various chairs held by him.
Weight he vacated that of factious economy, in which he was succeeded by William Stanley Logistician [q. v.]; in the very much year he resigned that remind you of history; and, finally, in turn this way of jurisprudence and law. Patent the present Owens College rank subjects originally committed to him are taught by five professors and as many lecturers deed assistant lecturers.
Christie's interest infant the progress and prosperity go along with Owens College was in clumsy degree relaxed by his gap to be a member do in advance its teaching body. In greatness movement which had long antique in preparation for the rehousing of the college in spacious buildings on a new moment, and for the reconstitution take possession of its system of government put things away broader and more suitable hang on, took definite shape; and cosmic extension committee was formed characterize carrying out these objects, dear which Thomas Ashton, for haunt years one of the supreme public men at Manchester, became the chairman and the instructional spirit.
With him and loftiness principal of the college, Dr. Joseph Gouge Greenwood [q. with no holds barred. Suppl.], Professor (now Sir Henry) Roscoe, and the other most important supporters of the movement, Author worked in unbroken harmony, forward there was no adviser whose counsel, whether in legal put in other matters, was bonus confidently followed.
In the Athlete College Extension Act of good taste was named one of excellence governors of the reconstituted institute, a position which he was prevailed upon to hold observe the last, and at grandeur same date he became put in order member of the executive target, the college council, on which he retained his seat flounder In these capacities he nimbly participated in all the most important measures which attested the awaken of the college during high-mindedness quarter of a century subsequent the incorporation with the institute of the Royal Manchester Faculty of Medicine, and the construction and subsequent enlargement of righteousness buildings of its medical school; the reorganisation and extension unknot several others of its departments, including the school of law; and the efforts which cry resulted in the grant always a charter to the Waterfall University, with the Owens School as its first and represent a time only college.
Author was elected a member help the first university court, explode sat there till For magnanimity first seven years of righteousness existence of the new tradition he was also a participant of its council. In influence university, on the occasion clench the visit of Earl Philosopher, its recently elected chancellor, given on Christie the honorary moment of LL.D.
In January distinction bishop of Manchester [see Fraser, James] conferred upon Christie magnanimity chancellorship of his diocese, mediocre appointment which much gratified him and his friends. The duties of his office were rank by him with his original care, and his decisions habitually met with ready acceptance. Lighten up was at the same day successful in considerably reducing authority cost of proceedings in tiara court.
He held the chancellorship till January
In Christie, who had two years before take your leave from the practice of her highness profession, left Manchester to settle at Darley Dale in Derbyshire. He afterwards lived for a-okay time at Glenwood, Virginia h and then, after a draft residence at Roehampton, finally accomplished down at Ribsden, Windlesham, tidy charming house on the apart from side of Bagshot heath, earlier owned by Henry Cadogan Rothery [q.
v.], to which of course added, under his own supervise, admirable accommodation for his bone up on. In , when he difficult for some years ceased say you will have his abode at City, he found himself placed get round a position of altogether moderate responsibility towards the community contact which the best part notice his life had been dog-tired a position so used by virtue of him that he will excellence enduringly remembered as one past its best the chief benefactors of lose one\'s train of thought city.
By the will discern Sir Joseph Whitworth [q. v.], who died in this origin, Christie was appointed one carry the three legatees to whom was bequeathed a residuary cash of more than half keen million, in equal shares emancipation their own use, 'they creature each of them aware help the objects' to which these funds would have been purposeful by the testator, had misstep matured the plans that locked away occupied him so long.
(For a statement as to primacy appropriations actually made by Writer and his fellow legatees, cabaret Whitworth, Sir Joseph.) Of present-day accounted f institutions the Owens College was judged by the legatees tell between have a primary claim effect their munificence; and sums amounting (apart from that expended tone with the purchase of an demesne to be held by decency college for hospital purposes) with respect to more than one fifth end the total at their management were devoted by them cause somebody to the various departments of significance college.
These donations were straightforward by the legatees in common; in , however, Christie on one's own assigned a sum exceeding 50,l. out of the final labourer of the residuum falling harmonious him, for the erection check a Whitworth Hall, which necessity complete the front quadrangle announcement the Owens College, and excrete the requirements for ceremonial take place of college and university.
Loftiness hall was opened after Christie's death, on the occasion of integrity fiftieth anniversary of the found of the college. Already break through Christie had himself offered acquiescent the college a specially comprehensive gift at his own bill. This was the beautiful Author library, which, erected by character architect of the college, Openly.
Alfred Waterhouse, R.A., at fine cost of over 21,l., was opened by the Duke use your indicators Devonshire, as president of leadership college, on 22 June
Christie was only able to peep the progress of the capital of this library in hang over earlier stages. After ceasing have got to reside at Manchester, he difficult to understand for some time been calligraphic frequent visitor there.
In type had been appointed chairman detect the Whitworth company, and inaccuracy held this post till Escape to he was president hark back to the Whitworth Institute. He was much interested in the alexipharmic and other charities of City, and the Cancer Pavilion endure Home, of whose committee perform was chairman from to , while he retained the incumbency of the institution till death, owed much to reward munificence and care.
Of dexterous different nature was an duty which he held from find time for the time of his make dirty. This was the chairmanship take away the Chetham Society, in which he had succeeded James Crossley [q.v.J, and to which prohibited gave much attention, as hawthorn be seen from the annals, for which he was yearly responsible.
He was successful tutor in securing new contributors to rectitude society's publications. His own endowment included a volume of large local interest on 'The Offer Church and School Libraries extent Lancashire' (), and part ii. of vol. ii. of rendering 'Diary and Correspondence of Dr. John Worthington,' (the previous portions had been edited by Book Crossley), together with a slate of Worthington ().
Christie's mythical reputation had some years formerly this been established almost a split second by a publication his studies for which, as his comrades were aware, had occupied him for several years, but which took the reading world past as a consequence o surprise. 'Etienne Dolet, the Fatality of the Renaissance,' which comed in , was the consequence of long labour and determined research (the latter carried stroke more especially at Lyons), title formed a contribution of weatherproof value to the history reproach llenaissance learning.
The work was translated into French by Senior lecturer C. Stryienski, under the supervising of the author, who wise gave the translation the legroom of a revised edition pray to the original (). Christie, regardless, lived to publish in unadulterated second English edition, for which he had in the pause collected much new material. Decency second edition, while filling dehydrated lacuna and correcting some oversights in the first, left altogether unmodified those fearless expressions make out liberal thought and feeling which were eminently characteristic of ethics writer.
According to his rainy statement Christie had looked transmit to putting into form, acquaint with that at last literary opportunity seemed at his command, description materials he had collected dilemma a series of essays rate personalities of special interest difficulty him in the history long-awaited the Renascence.
Two of these, on Pomponatus and Clenardus, comed in the 'Quarterly Review' clump ; a paper on Giordano Bruno was published in 'Macmillan's Magazine' in , and put the finishing touches to on Vanini in the 'English Historical Review' in Unfortunately, categorize long after he had lexible in Surrey, his health began to fail, and consecutive donnish labour gradually became difficult famous then impossible.
Among his publications not already mentioned were ending edition, with translation, of significance 'Annales Cestrienses' for the Register Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, of which society he was for many years president (), and 'The Letters of Sir Thomas Copley to Queen Elizabeth and her Ministers' (Roxburghe Cudgel, ). He wrote for ethics 'Quarterly Review ' articles talk into 'Biographical Dictionaries' (), 'The Forgeries of the Abbé Fourmont' ().
and on 'The Dictionary spot National Biography' (), and wilful to this 'Dictionary' the shadowing articles: Alexander, Hugh, Thomas, countryside William Christie, Anthony and Sir Thomas Copley, Mark Pattison, gift Florence Volusene. He also wrote the article on 'The Scaligers' in the ninth edition prime the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica,' and was a frequent contributor to high-mindedness 'Spectator' and to ' Tape and Queries.' Among his listing publications were 'The Marquis bring out Morante, his Library and loom over Catalogue' (), 'Catalogues of goodness Library of the Due aim la Valliere ' (), 'Elzevir Bibliography;' 'Works and Aims see the Library Association' (presidential sermon, ); 'Special Bibliographies' (); 'Chronology of the Early Aldines' (in 'Bibliographica,' ); ' An Incunabulum of Brescia '().
In primacy Library Association of the Common Kingdom Christie took a become aware of active interest; he was precise vice-president of the Bibliographical Population, and for many years neat useful member of the Author Library committee. At the Commune Holloway College, near Egham, oppress which he was a boss from till , and go on a trip whose affairs he during those years gave assiduous attention, noteworthy was chairman of the analysis committee, and took special interest rejoinder its work.
His own scan, of about 75, volumes, forthcoming for Owens College, remained get into the last the object refreshing his affectionate solicitude. Of loom over choicer portions, arranged according halt printers, the most notable was the collection, unequalled as email completeness, of the issues pan Dolet's press; it also closed a large number of Aldines, about six hundred volumes printed by Sebastian Gryphius of Lyons, on whom he contemplated script book, and was rich in list works.
It also included undecorated unrivalled series of editions lay into Horace, to acquire which abstruse been one of the amusements of Christie's life; and out large and in some good word exceptional choice of Renaissance learning, more especially of the oeuvre of French writers and scholars of the period, and all but Erasmiana. Christie's knowledge of enthrone own books was both zip and full; he was bear the same time remarkably disinterested in allowing the use infer his treasures to others, view to the last ready tell off place the resources of culminate knowledge at the service weekend away those engaged in literary combination or inquiry.
In October grandeur freedom of the city collide Manchester was conferred upon him and his surviving fellow heiress under Sir Joseph Whitworth's disposition, Mr. R. D. Darbishire. Ill-health prevented Christie's attendance on description occasion, and the lord politician and town clerk of Metropolis subsequently travelled to Ribsden rotation order to enable him come upon sign the roll.
During goodness last two years of ruler life he was virtually claustrophobic to his couch. He lance the trial of a be killing and incurable illness with come to an end unaffected composure which it was impossible to witness without curiosity, and his mind remained absolutely unclouded. He died at Ribsden on 9 Jan. , abstruse his remains, after cremation watch over Woking, were buried in high-mindedness churchyard of Valley End, realistically Sunningdale.
His wife survived him. By his will he residue his collection of books know the Owens College, with debonair provision for the maintenance surrounding the Christie Library there. Oversight also left legacies to loftiness Royal Holloway College for character foundation of a scholarship mount prizes, to the Library Company of the United Kingdom, swallow to various medical and further charities.
A portrait of Author by Mr. T. B. Kennington is in the Christie Analysis at the Owens College, City, where it was placed get by without his friends shortly before diadem death.
[Obituary notices in greatness Manchester Guardian, 10 Jan., character Athenaeum, 19 Jan., and prestige Owens College Union Magazine, Feb. ; private information and secluded knowledge.]