Robert Surtees (antiquarian)
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Robert Surtees | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 April 1779 South Bailey, Durham |
| Died | 14 February 1834(aged 54) Mainsforth Hall,County Durham |
| Education | Kepier School Houghton-le-Spring |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
| Notable works | The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham |
| Spouse |
Anne Robinson (m.1807) |
| Relatives | Charles Surtees |
Robert Surtees(1 April 1779 – 13 February 1834) was a celebrated English historian and antiquary of his nativeCounty Durham.
Early life
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Surtees was born inSouth Bailey, Durhamon 1 April 1779. He was the only surviving child of Dorothy Surtees (d. 1797) and Robert Surtees ofMainsforth(d. 1802), who were first cousins.[1][2]
His maternal grandparents were Robert Surtees ofRedworth Hall,and the former Dorothy Lambton (second daughter of Thomas Lambton of Hardwick). His aunt, Jane Surtees (co-heiresses of their father Robert Surtees), also married a first cousin, Lt. Crosier Surtees, who died in 1803 when returning from a banquet withLord BarnardatRaby Castlewhen he drunkenly fell into the moors and froze to death.[3]They were grandparents ofHenry Surtees,who inherited Redworth Hall, andCharles Surtees,who eventually inherited Mainsforth Hall.
He was educated atKepier School,Houghton-le-Spring,and later atChrist Church, Oxford,graduating with a B.A. degree in 1800 and a M.A. degree in 1803. In school, he befriendedReginald Heber,laterThe Right ReverendBishop of Calcutta.[4]
Career
[edit]
In 1802, upon the death of his father, he inherited the family estate includingMainsforth Hall.Although a student of law he never practised as a lawyer, and instead devoted himself to the study of literature and antiquities.[4]By 1804, Surtees had begun collecting material for what was to become his monumentalcounty history,The History of Durham.[5]
He was a studious and sensitive man who did not always have good health. He was hospitable at Mainsforth, and guests included SirWalter Scott,with whom Surtees frequently corresponded.[6]
By 1816, the first volume ofThe History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durhamwas published ( "compiled from original records preserved in public repositories and private collections by Robert Surtees" ). Two further volumes followed and a final volume was published posthumously in 1840.[7]The work covers much of the county but does not includeWeardale,Teesdale,theAucklands,Brancepeth,or Durham Castle orCathedral.James RainecompiledThe History and Antiquities of North Durham(2 vols, 1830 and 1852) to supply the need.[8]
Personal life
[edit]On 23 June 1807, he married Anne Robinson (b. 1785), a daughter of Ralph Robinson ofMiddle Herrington,Durham, but they had no children.[9]Christian faith was central in Surtees's life and he regularly worshipped atBishop Middlehamparish church.
Never in good health, Surtees complained of a cold in January 1834, complications developed and he died on 13 February 1834, with his wife at his bedside. He was buried in Bishop Middleham churchyard, and a monument to him was later erected there. His wife Anne survived him, living in Mainsforth until her death in March 1868.[10]
Legacy
[edit]Immediately following Surtees' death, in May 1834,James Raineand other former friends established theSurtees Societyto honour his memory and continue his work.[7]
References
[edit]- ^"Durham Cathedral Library: Catalogue of the Surtees Manuscripts".reed.dur.ac.uk.Durham Cathedral.Retrieved7 April2020.
- ^"Surtees, Robert (1779–1834), historian".Oxford Dictionary of National Biography(online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004.doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/26790.(Subscription orUK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research.Society for Army Historical Research. 1984. p. 188.Retrieved9 April2020.
- ^ab"Robert Surtees (1779–1834)".spenserians.cath.vt.edu.Retrieved9 April2020.
- ^Carr, William (1898)..InLee, Sidney(ed.).Dictionary of National Biography.Vol. 55. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
- ^Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911)..Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 26 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- ^abChisholm 1911.
- ^Raine, James (1852) The History and Antiquities of North Durham. London: J. B. Nichols // Surtees: Durham - Vol. 1, 1816; v. 2–3, 1820–23; v. 4, 1840 (with memoir of the author, by George Taylor); vol. 4 edited by James Raine; each volume contains numerous pedigrees.
- ^Carr 1898.
- ^"FreeBMD Home Page".Freebmd.org.uk.26 December 2016.Retrieved3 January2017.
External links
[edit]- Surtees Society website
- Works by Robert SurteesatLibriVox(public domain audiobooks)
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