![Portrait of Henry George Liddell](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Portrait_of_Henry_George_Liddell.jpg)
Henry George Liddell (; 6 February 1811– 18 January 1898) was
dean
Dean may refer to:
People
* Dean (given name)
* Dean (surname), a surname of Anglo-Saxon English origin
* Dean (South Korean singer), a stage name for singer Kwon Hyuk
* Dean Delannoit, a Belgian singer most known by the mononym Dean
Titles
* ...
(1855–1891) of
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church ( la, Ædes Christi, the temple or house, '' ædēs'', of Christ, and thus sometimes known as "The House") is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, the college is uniqu ...
,
Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford is the chief executive and leader of the University of Oxford. The following people have been vice-chancellors of the University of Oxford (formally known as The Right Worshipful the Vice-Chance ...
(1870–1874), headmaster (1846–1855) of
Westminster School
(God Gives the Increase)
, established = Earliest records date from the 14th century, refounded in 1560
, type = Public school Independent day and boarding school
, religion = Church of England
, head_label = Hea ...
(where a house is now named after him), author of ''A History of Rome'' (1855), and co-author (with
Robert Scott) of the monumental work ''
A Greek–English Lexicon
''A Greek–English Lexicon'', often referred to as ''Liddell & Scott'' () or ''Liddell–Scott–Jones'' (''LSJ''), is a standard lexicographical work of the Ancient Greek language originally edited by Henry George Liddell
Henry George L ...
'', known as "Liddell and Scott", which is still widely used by students of Greek.
Lewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (; 27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898), better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, poet and mathematician. His most notable works are ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (1865) and its sequel ...
wrote ''
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (commonly ''Alice in Wonderland'') is an 1865 English novel by Lewis Carroll. It details the story of a young girl named Alice (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a ...
'' for Henry Liddell's daughter
Alice.
Life
Liddell received his education at
Charterhouse
Charterhouse may refer to:
* Charterhouse (monastery), of the Carthusian religious order
Charterhouse may also refer to:
Places
* The Charterhouse, Coventry, a former monastery
* Charterhouse School, an English public school in Surrey
London ...
and Christ Church, Oxford. He gained a
double first
The British undergraduate degree classification system is a grading structure for undergraduate degrees or bachelor's degrees and integrated master's degrees in the United Kingdom. The system has been applied (sometimes with significant variati ...
degree in 1833, then became a college tutor, and was ordained in 1838.
![HenryLiddell](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/HenryLiddell.jpg)
Liddell was Headmaster of
Westminster School
(God Gives the Increase)
, established = Earliest records date from the 14th century, refounded in 1560
, type = Public school Independent day and boarding school
, religion = Church of England
, head_label = Hea ...
from 1846 to 1855. Meanwhile, his life work, the great
lexicon
A lexicon is the vocabulary of a language or branch of knowledge (such as nautical or medical). In linguistics, a lexicon is a language's inventory of lexemes. The word ''lexicon'' derives from Koine Greek language, Greek word (), neuter of () ...
(based on the German work of
Franz Passow Franz Ludwig Carl Friedrich Passow (20 September 1786 – 11 March 1833) was a German classical scholar and lexicographer.
Biography
He was born at Ludwigslust in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. In 1807 he was appointed to the professorship of ...
), which he and
Robert Scott began as early as 1834, had made good progress, and the first edition of ''Liddell and Scott's Lexicon'' appeared in 1843. It immediately became the standard Greek–English dictionary, with the 8th edition published in 1897.
As Headmaster of Westminster Liddell enjoyed a period of great success, followed by trouble due to the outbreak of fever and
cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of the bacterium ''Vibrio cholerae''. Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe. The classic symptom is large amounts of watery diarrhea that lasts a few days. Vomiting and ...
in the school. In 1855 he accepted the deanery of Christ Church, Oxford. In the same year he brought out his ''History of Ancient Rome'' and took a very active part in the first Oxford University Commission. His tall figure, fine presence and aristocratic mien were for many years associated with all that was characteristic of Oxford life. Coming just at the transition period when the "old Christ Church," which
Pusey strove so hard to preserve, was inevitably becoming broader and more liberal, it was chiefly due to Liddell that necessary changes were effected with the minimum of friction.
In 1859 Liddell welcomed the then
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales ( cy, Tywysog Cymru, ; la, Princeps Cambriae/Walliae) is a title traditionally given to the heir apparent to the English and later British throne. Prior to the conquest by Edward I in the 13th century, it was used by the rulers ...
when he matriculated at Christ Church, being the first holder of that title who had matriculated since
Henry V Henry V may refer to:
People
* Henry V, Duke of Bavaria (died 1026)
* Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor (1081/86–1125)
* Henry V, Duke of Carinthia (died 1161)
* Henry V, Count Palatine of the Rhine (c. 1173–1227)
* Henry V, Count of Luxembourg (121 ...
.
While Liddell was Dean of Christ Church, he arranged for the building of a new choir school and classrooms for the staff and pupils of
Christ Church Cathedral School
Christ Church Cathedral School is an independent preparatory school for boys in Oxford, England. It is one of three choral foundation schools in the city and educates choristers of Christ Church Cathedral, and the Chapels of Worcester College ...
on its present site. Before then the school was housed within Christ Church itself.
In July 1846, Liddell married Lorina Reeve (1826–1910), with whom he had nine children including
Alice Liddell
Alice Pleasance Hargreaves (''née'' Liddell, ; 4 May 1852 – 16 November 1934), was an English woman who, in her childhood, was an acquaintance and photography subject of Lewis Carroll. One of the stories he told her during a boating trip beca ...
(1852–1934) of
Lewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (; 27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898), better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, poet and mathematician. His most notable works are ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (1865) and its sequel ...
fame.
In conjunction with Sir
Henry Acland
Sir Henry Wentworth Dyke Acland, 1st Baronet, (23 August 181516 October 1900) was an English physician and educator.
Life
Henry Acland was born in Killerton, Exeter, the fourth son of Sir Thomas Acland and Lydia Elizabeth Hoare, and educate ...
, Liddell did much to encourage the study of art at Oxford, and his taste and judgment gained him the admiration and friendship of
Ruskin. In 1891, owing to advancing years, he resigned the deanery. The last years of his life were spent at
Ascot, where he died on 18 January 1898.
Two roads in Ascot, Liddell Way and Carroll Crescent honour the relationship between Henry Liddell and Lewis Carroll.
![Liddell caricature](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Liddell_caricature.jpg)
Liddell was an Oxford "character" in later years. He figures in contemporary undergraduate
doggerel
Doggerel, or doggrel, is poetry that is irregular in rhythm and in rhyme, often deliberately for burlesque or comic effect. Alternatively, it can mean verse which has a monotonous rhythm, easy rhyme, and cheap or trivial meaning. The word is deri ...
:
The Victorian journalist,
George W. E. Russell
George William Erskine Russell PC (3 February 1853 – 17 March 1919) was a British biographer, memoirist and Liberal politician.
Background and education
Russell was born in London, England, on 3 February 1853, the youngest son of Lord Cha ...
(1853–1919), conveys something of Liddell's image:
Works
Henry George Liddell was the author of
* , and numerous editions of the same, including abridgments for student use, written with
Robert Scott.
*
* , excerpted from the Roman history.
* , excerpted from the Roman history and revised.
Family
His father was
Henry Liddell
Henry George Liddell (; 6 February 1811– 18 January 1898) was dean (1855–1891) of Christ Church, Oxford, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University (1870–1874), headmaster (1846–1855) of Westminster School (where a house is now named after h ...
,
Rector
Rector (Latin for the member of a vessel's crew who steers) may refer to:
Style or title
*Rector (ecclesiastical), a cleric who functions as an administrative leader in some Christian denominations
*Rector (academia), a senior official in an edu ...
of
Easington (1787–1872), the younger son of
Sir Henry Liddell, 5th Baronet (1749–1791) and the former Elizabeth Steele. His father's elder brother,
Sir Thomas Liddell, 6th Baronet (1775–1855), was raised to the
Peerage
A peerage is a legal system historically comprising various hereditary titles (and sometimes non-hereditary titles) in a number of countries, and composed of assorted noble ranks.
Peerages include:
Australia
* Australian peers
Belgium
* Belgi ...
as
Baron Ravensworth
Baron Ravensworth, of Ravensworth Castle in the County Palatine of Durham and of Eslington Park in the County of Northumberland, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.
It was created in 1821 for Sir Thomas Liddell, 6th Baronet. Th ...
in 1821.
His mother was the former Charlotte Lyon (1785–1871), a daughter of
Thomas Lyon (1741–1796) (who was the youngest son of the
8th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne) and the former Mary Wren (died 1811).
On 2 July 1846, Henry married Lorina Reeve (3 March 1826 – 25 June 1910). They were parents of ten children:
* Edward Henry Liddell – also known as Harry (6 September 1847 – 14 June 1911).
* Lorina Charlotte 'Ina' Liddell (11 May 1849 – 29 October 1930); married
William Baillie Skene William Baillie Skene (24 April 1838 – 10 June 1911) was a British academic and political agent.
The second son of Patrick Skene, of Pitlaw House, Fife, Scotland, William Baillie Skeene was born in Edinburgh in 1838. Educated at Harrow School and ...
in 1874.
* James Arthur Charles Liddell (28 December 1850 – 27 November 1853).
*
Alice Pleasance Liddell
Alice Pleasance Hargreaves (''née'' Liddell, ; 4 May 1852 – 16 November 1934), was an English woman who, in her childhood, was an acquaintance and photography subject of Lewis Carroll. One of the stories he told her during a boating trip beca ...
(4 May 1852 – 16 November 1934), for whom the story of the children's classic ''
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (commonly ''Alice in Wonderland'') is an 1865 English novel by Lewis Carroll. It details the story of a young girl named Alice (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a ...
'' was originally told.
* Edith Mary Liddell (Spring, 1854 – 26 June 1876).
* Rhoda Caroline Anne Liddell (1859 – 19 May 1949); she was appointed a Member of the
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...
(MBE) in 1920 for her orthopaedic work at
Netley Red Cross Hospital.
* Albert Edward Arthur Liddell (1863 – 28 May 1863); he died in infancy.
* Violet Constance Liddell (10 March 1864 – 9 December 1927); like her sister appointed MBE in 1920 for orthopaedic work at Netley.
[
* Sir ]Frederick Francis Liddell
Sir Frederick Francis Liddell (7 June 1865 – 19 March 1950) was a British lawyer and civil servant. He is noted for being First Parliamentary Counsel.
Early life
He was born in 1865, the son of Henry Liddell, the Dean of Christ Church, Oxfo ...
(7 June 1865 – 19 March 1950): First Parliamentary Counsel and Ecclesiastical Commissioner
The Ecclesiastical Commissioners were, in England and Wales, a body corporate, whose full title was Ecclesiastical and Church Estates Commissioners for England. The commissioners were authorized to determine the distribution of revenues of the Chu ...
. His son, Maurice Arthur Liddell, married Alix Kerr OBE (May 1907 – 6 July 1981), British writer who contributed to the Guiding and Girl Scouting.
* Lionel Charles Liddell (22 May 1868 – 21 March 1942); he was British Consul to Lyons
Lyon,, ; Occitan: ''Lion'', hist. ''Lionés'' also spelled in English as Lyons, is the third-largest city and second-largest metropolitan area of France. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, to the northwest of th ...
and Copenhagen
Copenhagen ( or .; da, København ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a proper population of around 815.000 in the last quarter of 2022; and some 1.370,000 in the urban area; and the wider Copenhagen metropolitan ar ...
.[The Foreign Office List and Diplomatic and Consular Year Book for 1908, edited by Godfrey E.P. Hertslet]
''Liddell, Lionel C.'' .. Consul at Lyons ''Transferred to Copenhagen''
See also
* Lewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (; 27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898), better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, poet and mathematician. His most notable works are ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (1865) and its sequel ...
* Alice Liddell
Alice Pleasance Hargreaves (''née'' Liddell, ; 4 May 1852 – 16 November 1934), was an English woman who, in her childhood, was an acquaintance and photography subject of Lewis Carroll. One of the stories he told her during a boating trip beca ...
Notes
References
External links
Two portraits
National Portrait Gallery
{{DEFAULTSORT:Liddell, Henry
1811 births
1898 deaths
People educated at Charterhouse School
Alumni of Christ Church, Oxford
Fellows of Christ Church, Oxford
Deans of Christ Church, Oxford
Head Masters of Westminster School
British classical scholars
British lexicographers
19th-century English Anglican priests
Vice-Chancellors of the University of Oxford
Presidents of the Girls' Day School Trust
White's Professors of Moral Philosophy
Burials at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
Classical scholars of the University of Oxford
Liddell family
19th-century lexicographers