Lawrence Adamson
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Arthur Adamson, CMG
, (20 April 1860 – 14 December 1932) was a schoolmaster
of Wesley College, Melbourne
, Australia
.
the second son of Lawrence William Adamson
. LL.D.
, Grand Seneschal
of the IoM and his wife Annie Jane née Flint. In 1866 the family went to Newcastle-on-Tyne where his father served as High Sheriff
of Northumberland
in 1900. At fourteen years of age Lawrence went to Rugby School
where he educated in the Classics
, and represented his school at football. At the University of Oxford
he read Classics and Jurisprudence
, taking the degree of M.A.
, before being called to the Bar
in 1885. Adamson, suffering from a bad attack of pleurisy
, was advised to live in a warmer climate. On 20 December 1885 emigrated to Australia, to practice at the Sydney
Bar, but the humidity in summertime did not suit his condition, so he moved to Melbourne
.
under Arthur Way
. He also became sports master and chairman of the games committee, and, with James Cuthbertson
of Geelong Grammar School
, helped to frame a code of rules for inter-school athletics. In 1892 he became second master and was also resident tutor and lecturer at Trinity College (University of Melbourne)
. In 1893 he became resident tutor at Trinity College (University of Melbourne)
and until 1896 lectured there in the evenings while teaching at Wesley by day. In 1898 he joined Otto Krome
as joint-headmaster of the University High School (Melbourne). Four years later he was appointed headmaster of Wesley College
after he indicated he would be responsible financially for the school's growth. Inheritances had made Adamson a wealthy man.
(President 1901–1905). For thirty seven years he was President of the Victorian Amateur Football Association
and he did good work for the Victorian Cricket Association during difficult times as a delegate, Honorary Teasurer and President. In education he was not merely the headmaster of a public school. As early as 1892 he was one of the founders of the
Victorian Institute of Schoolmasters
, and his continual interest in the whole question of education enabled him to do valuable work, before and after the passing of the Registration of Schools Act
in 1905, as a member of the registration board, the council of public education, the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne, and the Uiversity Council. This by no means exhausts the list of committees on which he served but none of these interfered with his work as headmaster, which went steadily on until a long illness led to his retirement in October 1932. He died a few weeks later on 14 December 1932.
Adamson became headmaster of Wesley at age 42, a quiet, somewhat portly man of medium height. He made no special claim to scholarship, he was far too busy to be able to give much time to studies, but he liked to take a class and he got to know the many generations of boys who passed through his hands. He was fond of poetry, he wrote the words and music of some of the school songs, and he collected and appreciated old silver, china and furniture. He was the first to import an aeroplane into Australia, a Wilbur Wright biplane in 1909, although he did not fly it himself.
Adamson could still delight in stories like Treasure Island
and A Gentleman of France
, and he could read Rudyard Kipling
's Stalky & Co.
with an appreciation granted to few schoolmasters. He was a Lay Canon of St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne
and a practical Christian
of the kind that boys could understand. To read so moving an address as that given to the boys after the close of the War enables one to realize his power over them. He never married. His portrait by William Beckwith McInnes
is at Wesley College.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, (20 April 1860 – 14 December 1932) was a schoolmaster
Schoolmaster
A schoolmaster, or simply master, once referred to a male school teacher. This usage survives in British public schools, but is generally obsolete elsewhere.The teacher in charge of a school is the headmaster...
of Wesley College, Melbourne
Wesley College, Melbourne
Wesley College, Melbourne is an independent, co-educational, Christian day school in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1866, the college is a school of the Uniting Church in Australia. Wesley is the largest school in Australia by enrolment, with 3,511 students and 564 full-time staff...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Early life
Lawrence Adamson was born at Douglas, Isle of ManDouglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
the second son of Lawrence William Adamson
Lawrence William Adamson
Lawrence William Adamson, second but only surviving son of Lawrence Adamson, HM's Seneschal of the Isle of Man and barrister-at-law, was born on 16 July 1829....
. LL.D.
Legum Doctor
Legum Doctor is a doctorate-level academic degree in law, or an honorary doctorate, depending on the jurisdiction. The double L in the abbreviation refers to the early practice in the University of Cambridge to teach both Canon Law and Civil Law, the double L indicating the plural, Doctor of both...
, Grand Seneschal
Seneschal
A seneschal was an officer in the houses of important nobles in the Middle Ages. In the French administrative system of the Middle Ages, the sénéchal was also a royal officer in charge of justice and control of the administration in southern provinces, equivalent to the northern French bailli...
of the IoM and his wife Annie Jane née Flint. In 1866 the family went to Newcastle-on-Tyne where his father served as High Sheriff
High Sheriff
A high sheriff is, or was, a law enforcement officer in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and partly ceremonial, appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of...
of Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
in 1900. At fourteen years of age Lawrence went to Rugby School
Rugby School
Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...
where he educated in the Classics
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
, and represented his school at football. At the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
he read Classics and Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the theory and philosophy of law. Scholars of jurisprudence, or legal theorists , hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions...
, taking the degree of M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
, before being called to the Bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
in 1885. Adamson, suffering from a bad attack of pleurisy
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs. Among other things, infections are the most common cause of pleurisy....
, was advised to live in a warmer climate. On 20 December 1885 emigrated to Australia, to practice at the Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
Bar, but the humidity in summertime did not suit his condition, so he moved to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
Teaching career
Adamson applied for admission to the Melbourne Bar, and while waiting occupied himself with private coaching; in January 1887 was appointed senior resident master at Wesley College, MelbourneWesley College, Melbourne
Wesley College, Melbourne is an independent, co-educational, Christian day school in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1866, the college is a school of the Uniting Church in Australia. Wesley is the largest school in Australia by enrolment, with 3,511 students and 564 full-time staff...
under Arthur Way
Arthur Way
Arthur Sanders Way , was a classical scholar, translator and headmaster of Wesley College, Melbourne, Australia....
. He also became sports master and chairman of the games committee, and, with James Cuthbertson
James Cuthbertson
James Lister Cuthbertson was a Scottish-Australian poet and schoolteacher.James Cuthbertson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the eldest son of William Gilmour Cuthbertson and his wife, Jane Agnes Cuthbertson. James was educated at the secondary school, Trinity College, Glenalmond, Perthshire, where...
of Geelong Grammar School
Geelong Grammar School
Geelong Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, co-educational, boarding and day school. The school's main campus is located at Corio, on the northern outskirts of Geelong, Victoria, Australia, overlooking Corio Bay and Limeburners Bay....
, helped to frame a code of rules for inter-school athletics. In 1892 he became second master and was also resident tutor and lecturer at Trinity College (University of Melbourne)
Trinity College (University of Melbourne)
Trinity College is the oldest college of the University of Melbourne. Founded in 1872 on a site granted to the Church of England, Trinity is unique among Australian university colleges in its diverse education programs...
. In 1893 he became resident tutor at Trinity College (University of Melbourne)
Trinity College (University of Melbourne)
Trinity College is the oldest college of the University of Melbourne. Founded in 1872 on a site granted to the Church of England, Trinity is unique among Australian university colleges in its diverse education programs...
and until 1896 lectured there in the evenings while teaching at Wesley by day. In 1898 he joined Otto Krome
Krome Studios
Krome Studios is an Australian video game company. Its headquarters are in Brisbane and it previously had offices in Adelaide and Melbourne. Krome Studios is best known for their Ty the Tasmanian Tiger games and for revitalising the Spyro the Dragon series...
as joint-headmaster of the University High School (Melbourne). Four years later he was appointed headmaster of Wesley College
Wesley College, Melbourne
Wesley College, Melbourne is an independent, co-educational, Christian day school in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Established in 1866, the college is a school of the Uniting Church in Australia. Wesley is the largest school in Australia by enrolment, with 3,511 students and 564 full-time staff...
after he indicated he would be responsible financially for the school's growth. Inheritances had made Adamson a wealthy man.
Headmaster of Wesley College
Melbourne had been slowly recovering from the effects of a land boom and all the public schools had suffered and Wesley's troubles had been greater than all others. When Adamson took charge only one hundred boys of the previous year had returned to school. By the end of the year, 243 were on the roll and the attendance gradually rose until it reached 600 in 1930. Adamson wanted no more because he did not believe in large public schools, and always held that it was impossible for the head to know the boys in a school whose numbers were much over 500. While promoting scholarship, Adamson encouraged athletics at Wesley and quickly set up an ideal of sportsmanship of which the keynote was that boys should learn to 'win decently and lose decently'. He advocated good manners with pithy illustrations on the effect of them, he instilled a sense of honour, he believed in hero-worship, but all the while he was mindful of practical things. His school was the first to have medical examinations for all boys, and the knowledge of a boy's physical condition was applied to his work in class. Justice was the basis of all his work, and he became not only efficient as a headmaster but thoroughly popular with the boys. There was no want of respect in his nickname "Dicky" and there was a really genuine affection.Influence and committees
Adamson left a stamp of influence outside his school. He was active during the early years of the Victorian Amateur Athletic AssociationOld Melburnians Athletics Club
The Old Melburnians Athletics Club is a track and field club based in Melbourne, Australia.-History:The precursor to the O.M.A.C. was the "Hare & Hounds" club, which organized various runs and competitions.Started in 1892, it was one of the four founding clubs of the Victorian Amateur Athletic...
(President 1901–1905). For thirty seven years he was President of the Victorian Amateur Football Association
Victorian Amateur Football Association
The Victorian Amateur Football Association is an Australian rules football league in Victoria, Australia consisting purely of amateur players. Unlike the Victorian Football League and the VFL/AFL, the VAFA has always been strictly a purely amateur league and has affiliations with both AFL Victoria...
and he did good work for the Victorian Cricket Association during difficult times as a delegate, Honorary Teasurer and President. In education he was not merely the headmaster of a public school. As early as 1892 he was one of the founders of the
Victorian Institute of Schoolmasters
Victorian Institute of Teaching
The Victorian Institute of Teaching is a statutory authority whose task is to recognise and regulate members of the teaching profession in Victoria, Australia,. The Institute registers teachers working in all schools in Victoria....
, and his continual interest in the whole question of education enabled him to do valuable work, before and after the passing of the Registration of Schools Act
Act
Act may mean:* Act/Power is a philosophical notion defined by Aristotle and known as entelechy* Act , a British band* Act , a document recording the legality of a transaction or contract...
in 1905, as a member of the registration board, the council of public education, the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne, and the Uiversity Council. This by no means exhausts the list of committees on which he served but none of these interfered with his work as headmaster, which went steadily on until a long illness led to his retirement in October 1932. He died a few weeks later on 14 December 1932.
Adamson became headmaster of Wesley at age 42, a quiet, somewhat portly man of medium height. He made no special claim to scholarship, he was far too busy to be able to give much time to studies, but he liked to take a class and he got to know the many generations of boys who passed through his hands. He was fond of poetry, he wrote the words and music of some of the school songs, and he collected and appreciated old silver, china and furniture. He was the first to import an aeroplane into Australia, a Wilbur Wright biplane in 1909, although he did not fly it himself.
Adamson could still delight in stories like Treasure Island
Treasure Island
Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "pirates and buried gold". First published as a book on May 23, 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881–82 under the title Treasure Island; or, the...
and A Gentleman of France
Stanley J. Weyman
Stanley John Weyman was an English novelist sometimes referred to as the "Prince of Romance".-Biography:Weyman was born at Ludlow, Shropshire. The second son of a solicitor, he was educated at Shrewsbury School, and at Christ Church, Oxford...
, and he could read Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
's Stalky & Co.
Stalky & Co.
Stalky & Co. is a book published in 1899 by Rudyard Kipling, about adolescent boys at a British boarding school. It is a collection of linked short stories in format, with some information about the charismatic Stalky character in later life. The character Beetle, one of the main trio, is partly...
with an appreciation granted to few schoolmasters. He was a Lay Canon of St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne
St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne
St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, is the metropolitical and cathedral church of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, Victoria in Australia. It is the seat of the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne and Metropolitan of the Province of Victoria...
and a practical Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
of the kind that boys could understand. To read so moving an address as that given to the boys after the close of the War enables one to realize his power over them. He never married. His portrait by William Beckwith McInnes
William Beckwith McInnes
William Beckwith McInnes was an Australian portrait painter, winner of the Archibald Prize seven times for his traditional style paintings.-Early life:...
is at Wesley College.