![Richard Saul Ferguson](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Richard_Saul_Ferguson.jpg)
Richard Saul Ferguson (28 July 1837,
Carlisle
Carlisle ( , ; from xcb, Caer Luel) is a city that lies within the Northern England, Northern English county of Cumbria, south of the Anglo-Scottish border, Scottish border at the confluence of the rivers River Eden, Cumbria, Eden, River C ...
– 3 March 1900, Carlisle) was an English
antiquary
An antiquarian or antiquary () is an fan (person), aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient artifact (archaeology), artifac ...
, specialising in the local history of
Cumberland
Cumberland ( ) is a historic county in the far North West England. It covers part of the Lake District as well as the north Pennines and Solway Firth coast. Cumberland had an administrative function from the 12th century until 1974. From 19 ...
and
Westmorland
Westmorland (, formerly also spelt ''Westmoreland'';R. Wilkinson The British Isles, Sheet The British IslesVision of Britain/ref> is a historic county in North West England spanning the southern Lake District and the northern Dales. It had an ...
.
Life
Ferguson was born on 28 July 1837, the elder son of Joseph Ferguson (1794–1880) of
Carlisle
Carlisle ( , ; from xcb, Caer Luel) is a city that lies within the Northern England, Northern English county of Cumbria, south of the Anglo-Scottish border, Scottish border at the confluence of the rivers River Eden, Cumbria, Eden, River C ...
, by his wife Margaret (died 2 November 1841), daughter of Silas Saul of Carlisle. The family settled in Carlisle about 1700, and founded the cotton industry in the city. He was educated at
Carlisle Grammar School
Carlisle ( , ; from xcb, Caer Luel) is a city that lies within the Northern England, Northern English county of Cumbria, south of the Anglo-Scottish border, Scottish border at the confluence of the rivers River Eden, Cumbria, Eden, River C ...
, entered
Shrewsbury School
Shrewsbury School is a public school (English independent boarding school for pupils aged 13 –18) in Shrewsbury.
Founded in 1552 by Edward VI by Royal Charter, it was originally a boarding school for boys; girls have been admitted into the ...
in 1853, and was admitted at
St. John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge founded by the Tudor matriarch Lady Margaret Beaufort. In constitutional terms, the college is a charitable corporation established by a charter dated 9 April 1511. The ...
, as a scholar on 14 March 1856. He graduated B.A. in 1860, M.A. in 1863, and
LL.M. in 1864. He was admitted a student of
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of the four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. (The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn.) Lincoln ...
on 11 October 1858, and was called to the bar on 13 June 1862, when he commenced practice as an equity draughtsman and conveyancer, and joined the northern circuit.
He was examiner of
civil law for
Cambridge University
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
in 1868–9. From January 1871 to June 1872 he travelled in
Egypt
Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediter ...
, Australia, and
America
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
for the sake of his health, and on his return gave the public an account of his experiences in a series of letters in the ''Carlisle Patriot'', which were reprinted, with the addition of ''Leaves from a Theban Guide Book'', as ''Moss gathered by a Rolling Stone'' (Carlisle, 1873).
After his return Ferguson settled at Carlisle, and devoted himself to the study of local antiquities. He associated with others of similar tastes, including
Michael Waistell Taylor,
Robert Harkness
Professor Robert Harkness Royal Society of London, FRS FRSE FGS (28 July 1816 – 4 October 1878), was a British geologist and mineralogist.
Early life
Robert Harkness was born in Ormskirk on 28 July 1816. His family moved to south-west Scotland ...
, and Sir
George Floyd Duckett
Sir George Floyd Duckett, 3rd Baronet (1811–1902) was an English army officer, antiquarian and lexicographer. He wrote on his Duckett ancestry, his paternal grandfather having married a Duckett heiress.
Life
Born at 15 Spring Gardens, Westminst ...
. Already in 1866 he had assisted to found the
Cumberland and Westmorland Archæological and Antiquarian Society, and from 1868 he edited the society's ''Transactions''. Under his guidance nearly the whole of Cumberland and Westmorland were explored, and record made of castles, churches, houses, manuscripts, and old customs. On the death of Canon James Simpson in 1886, Ferguson succeeded him as president of the society. His own special period was that of the Roman occupation of Cumberland, and under his care the collection of Roman antiquities at the city museum,
Tullie House
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery is a museum in Carlisle, England. Opened by the Carlisle Corporation in 1893, the original building is a converted Jacobean mansion, with extensions added when it was converted. At first the building contai ...
, became extensive.
Ferguson was made a magistrate of the county of Cumberland in 1872, and a member of the Carlisle city bench in 1881. In 1886, he was elected chairman of quarter sessions. He was elected a member of the Carlisle city council in 1878, and took advantage of his position to gain access to the ancient muniments of the city, many of which he published. In 1881-2 he was chosen mayor and was re-elected in the following year. He was a strong supporter of the city privileges, and when county councils were instituted in January 1889 and he was elected a member for Carlisle, he lost no opportunity of urging the rights of the city. He was one of the promoters of the project by which Tullie House was taken for the use of the city, with a museum, a public library, a school of science and art, and art galleries. Under his influence William Jackson was induced to bequeath to the city the Jackson library, a valuable collection of local literature. In recognition of his services the corporation conferred upon him the honorary
freedom of the city
The Freedom of the City (or Borough in some parts of the UK) is an honour bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary. Arising from the medieval practice of granting respected ...
in 1896.
In 1887
Harvey Goodwin
Harvey Goodwin (9 October 1818 – 25 November 1891) was an English academic and Anglican clergyman, Bishop of Carlisle from 1869 until his death.
Life
Born at King's Lynn, he was a son of Charles Goodwin, a solicitor there; his mother was Fra ...
, bishop of Carlisle, appointed Ferguson chancellor of the diocese, a post that had not previously been held by a layman. Ferguson was elected a fellow of the
Society of Antiquaries of London
A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same spatial or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations. Societ ...
on 1 March 1877, member of the
Royal Archæological Institute
The Royal Archaeological Institute (RAI) is a learned society, established in 1844, with interests in all aspects of the archaeological, architectural and landscape history of the British Isles. Membership is open to all with an interest in these ...
about 1878 and a fellow of the
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is the senior antiquarian body of Scotland, with its headquarters in the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. The Society's aim is to promote the cultural heritage of Scotland.
The usua ...
in 1880. In 1895 he was admitted an honorary member of the Glasgow Archæological Association. He was a vice-president of the
Royal Archæological Institute
The Royal Archaeological Institute (RAI) is a learned society, established in 1844, with interests in all aspects of the archaeological, architectural and landscape history of the British Isles. Membership is open to all with an interest in these ...
and of the
Surtees Society
The Surtees Society is a text publication society and registered charity (No. 1003812) based in Durham in northern England. The society was established on 27 May 1834 by James Raine, following the death (on 11 February) of the renowned County D ...
.
Ferguson died at Carlisle on 3 March 1900, at his residence, 74 Lowther Street.
His portrait, painted by Mr. Sephton, was presented to him by the corporation of Carlisle in 1896. A replica hangs in the vestibule of Tullie House.
Family
In August 1867 he married, at Kew, Georgiana Fanny Shelley, eldest daughter of Spencer Shelley of Richmond House, Kew, principal clerk of the treasury, and granddaughter of
Sir John Shelley, 6th Baronet
Sir John Shelley, 6th Baronet (18 December 1771 – 28 March 1852) was an English landowner, Member of Parliament and amateur cricketer.
Career
He was the son of Sir John Shelley, 5th Baronet by Wilhelmina, the daughter of John Newnham of Mare ...
. He was separated from her in 1872, and divorced her in December 1877. By her he had one son, Spencer Charles Ferguson, who served as an officer in the
Northumberland Fusiliers
The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army. Raised in 1674 as one of three 'English' units in the Dutch Anglo-Scots Brigade, it accompanied William III to England in the November 1688 Glorious Revolution an ...
, and one daughter, Margaret Josephine Ferguson, who married in 1896 the Rev. Frederick Luke Holland Millard, vicar of Aspatria.
Captain Spencer Charles Ferguson (13 August 1868-13 Dec 1958) OBE, JP lived in 1910 at 37 Lowther Street, Carlisle only son of Chancellor Richard Saul Ferguson born at Richmond, Surrey. Educated Shrewsbury School followed by Cambridge University 1887.
2nd Lieut., Northumberland Fusiliers, 1890; Lieut., 1892; Capt., 1898. Served in the Sudan Campaign, 1898; present at the battle of Omdurman. In the South African War, 1899-1900. Major, Northumberland Fusiliers, 1904-6. Major, Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry, 1906-11. Mayor of Carlisle, 1912-13 and 1913-14. J.P. for Cumberland, 1902; for Carlisle, 1912; for Hants., 1929. Served in the Great War, 1914-19 (Major, Northumberland Fusiliers; mentioned in despatches; O.B.E.).
31 Mar 1901 living at no. 74 Lowther Street, Carlisle, unmarried 32 year old Captain in the Northumberland Fusiliers.
marr. 12 Sep 1901 at Carlisle Cathedral, Caroline Agnes IRWIN b. Jan 1880
Eldest son - George Cuthbert Irwin Ferguson (9 June 1903-10 December 1941) Lieutenant Commander, RNVR. Gunnery Officer. Born Longtown, Cumberland. Died on sinking of H.M.S. PRINCE OF WALES by Japanese bombers off Kuantan, Malaya. Marr. New Forest July 1925, Betty Gillian Price of Copythorne, Hampshire (b. 10 August 1901 Taunton- 1983), daughter of Owen Talbot Price who lived at Ironshill Lodge, Lyndhurst, Hampshire,
Works
Ferguson's first literary production was a series of articles on ''Early Cumberland and Westmorland Friends'' in the ''
Carlisle Journal
Carlisle ( , ; from xcb, Caer Luel) is a city that lies within the Northern English county of Cumbria, south of the Scottish border at the confluence of the rivers Eden, Caldew and Petteril. It is the administrative centre of the City ...
'', a number of biographical sketches of leading
quakers
Quakers are people who belong to a historically Protestant Christian set of denominations known formally as the Religious Society of Friends. Members of these movements ("theFriends") are generally united by a belief in each human's abil ...
in the two counties. They were republished in book form in 1871 (London), and were followed in the same year by ''Cumberland and Westmorland M.P.'s from the Restoration to the Reform Bill of 1867'' (London), a book containing a full political history of the counties. He also wrote:
* ''A Short Historical Account of Lanercost'' (London, 1870), (with Charles John Ferguson)
*''Carlisle'', London, 1889. In the 'Diocesan Histories' series of the
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge
The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK) is a UK-based Christian charity. Founded in 1698 by Thomas Bray, it has worked for over 300 years to increase awareness of the Christian faith in the UK and across the world.
The SPCK is th ...
*''A History of Cumberland''. London, 1890. In
Elliot Stock
Elliot Stock (1838 - 1 March 1911) was an English publisher and bibliophile who collected first editions. The publishing company that bore his name was in business from 1859 to 1939.
His father was wealthy but died when Elliot was in his infancy ...
's series of ''
Popular County Histories.''
*'An Archæological Survey of Cumberland and Westmorland', ''Archæologia'' of the
Society of Antiquaries, vol. liii (1893)
*''A History of Westmorland'', London, 1894. In the 'Popular County Histories' series
*''Carlisle Cathedral'', London, 1898. In the 'English Cathedrals' series.
Ferguson edited a series of works for the Cumberland and Westmorland Archæological Society:
* ''Miscellany Accounts of the Diocese of Carlisle'', by
William Nicolson
William Nicolson (1655–1727) was an English churchman, linguist and antiquarian. As a bishop he played a significant part in the House of Lords during the reign of Queen Anne, and left a diary that is an important source for the politics of ...
, 1877.
* ''Old Church Plate in the Diocese of Carlisle, with the Makers and Marks'', 1882
* ''An Accompt of the most considerable Estates and Families in the County of Cumberland,' by John Denton, 1887 (Tract Series, No. 2)
* (with W. Nanson) ''Some Municipal Records of the City of Carlisle'', 1887.
* ''Description of the County of Cumberland'', by
Sir Daniel Fleming (Tract Series, No. 3)
* ''A cursory Relation of all the Antiquities and Familyes in Cumberland'', 1890 (Tract Series, No. 4)
* ''Account of the City and Diocese of Carlisle'', by
Hugh Todd
Hugh Hilton Todd is a Guyanese politician who serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Guyana since 2020.
Early life
Hugh Todd joined the Guyana Defense Force in 1993. In 1995, he received his training at the B ...
, 1890 (Tract Series, No. 5)
* ''Notitia Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Carliolensis'', by Todd, 1892 (Tract Series, No. 6).
* ''A Boke off Recorde … concerning the Corporation of Kirkbiekendall … 1575'', 1892.
* ''Testamenta Karleolensia'', 1893.
* ''The Royal Chartes of the City of Carlisle'', 1894.
Ferguson contributed a biographical notice of Michael Waistell Taylor to Taylor's ''Old Manorial Halls of Cumberland and Westmorland'', 1892, and a preface to
Hugh Alexander Macpherson's ''Vertebrate Fauna of Lakeland'', 1892. He was a contributor to the ''Antiquary'', ''Reliquary'', and the ''Archæologia'' of the
Society of Antiquaries.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferguson, Richard Saul
1837 births
1900 deaths
English antiquarians
People from Carlisle, Cumbria
19th-century English writers
Alumni of St John's College, Cambridge