Robert William Bilton Hornby
Encyclopedia
Robert William Bilton Hornby (5 January 1821 - 28 September 1888) was an antiquarian
, priest
and Lord of the Manor
of Heworth
York, England
.
within the City of York on the following day.
His father served the Office of Sheriff
in the city, and was called a gentleman. Yet curiously he was also recorded as a shoemaker of Blake Street in the city.
on 19 January 1829 as a "free scholar" aged 8 years old. He left for Durham University
at Easter
1838, and was one of its first undergraduates.
He passed his Bachelor of Arts
at Easter 1841, gaining a 4th in classical and general literature, and then passed his Licence in Theology
at Easter 1842 and took it on 22 June 1842. In due course he took a Master of Arts
on 28 January 1845, to which he was entitled 9 terms after his Bachelor of Arts, and then a Bachelor of Divinity
on 27 January 1852, to which he was entitled 21 terms after his Master of Arts, and finally a Doctorate of Divinity on 29 January 1856, to which he was entitled 33 terms after his Master of Arts.
at Norwich
in 1844, and priest at Ripon
in 1845. He held a curacy at Wakefield
, and then one at Flaxton
in 1847, but never held a living anywhere or an appointment in the ecclesiastical hierarchy of the Established Church. From photographs of him in his clerical robes, he was probably a high-church man which may explain why he never held a living. York was nearly all low-church
at the time. So he clearly had substantial private means.
, which he extended. This property has been extensively altered since his time.
and Trustee
of the York Cemetery Company
, which was founded in 1837 to establish a 24 acres (97,124.6 m²) civil cemetery outside the city walls and relieve pressure on the historic ecclesiastical cemeteries. Both grounds and chapel were designed by James Pigott Pritchett
. The company was liquidated in 1966, and after several years of neglect was obtained by the York Cemetery Trust in 1987.
He was also a manager of the York Savings Bank, which was established in 1816 for the working classes, and operated out of offices in Blake Street which were built in 1819.
He was also a noted local antiquarian, being primarily interested in the Minster, churches and City of York.
He also succeeded to the Lord of the Manor of Heworth
, which included the parishes of Saint Cuthbert and Saint Olave just east of the city. The Manor Hall lay off Heworth Road outside of the city walls.
His widow
placed a window by Charles Eamer Kempe
in the York Minster
in his memory. It is dedicated to Saint Peter the Apostle, and is inscribed: "To the glory of God and in loving memory of Robert William Bilton Hornby, and William and Sophia his father and mother." This window may be found behind the astronomical clock in the right rear corner of the main hall.
She died at Overdene, Moseley
, Birmingham
on 18 February 1902.
and the York Savings Bank can be found in the North Yorkshire County Record Office in Northallerton
, and in the York City Archives.
Antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an 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 objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
, priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
and Lord of the Manor
Lord of the Manor
The Lordship of a Manor is recognised today in England and Wales as a form of property and one of three elements of a manor that may exist separately or be combined and may be held in moieties...
of Heworth
Heworth, York
Heworth is part of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England, about north-east of the centre. It is sometimes referred to as Heworth Village...
York, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Ancestry
Hornby was born on 5 January 1821 at Heworth Manor, the son of William Hornby and Sophia née Motte or Matt, and was baptized at St. Michael le BelfreySt. Michael le Belfrey
St. Michael le Belfrey is an Anglican church in York, England. It is situated directly next to York Minster in the heart of the city.-History:...
within the City of York on the following day.
His father served the Office of Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
in the city, and was called a gentleman. Yet curiously he was also recorded as a shoemaker of Blake Street in the city.
Schooling
Young Hornby initially attended a local school run by a Mr Watson of Gillygate York, prior to being admitted to St Peter’s SchoolSt Peter's School, York
St Peter's School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school located in the English City of York, with extensive grounds on the banks of the River Ouse...
on 19 January 1829 as a "free scholar" aged 8 years old. He left for Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
at Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
1838, and was one of its first undergraduates.
He passed his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
at Easter 1841, gaining a 4th in classical and general literature, and then passed his Licence in Theology
Licentiate in Theology
The Licentiate of Theology or the Licence in Theology is a theological qualification commonly awarded for ordinands and laymen studying theology in the United Kingdom, Malta, Canada, Australia and New Zealand...
at Easter 1842 and took it on 22 June 1842. In due course he took a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
on 28 January 1845, to which he was entitled 9 terms after his Bachelor of Arts, and then a Bachelor of Divinity
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
on 27 January 1852, to which he was entitled 21 terms after his Master of Arts, and finally a Doctorate of Divinity on 29 January 1856, to which he was entitled 33 terms after his Master of Arts.
Church career
Hornby was ordained a deaconDeacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
at Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
in 1844, and priest at Ripon
Ripon
Ripon is a cathedral city, market town and successor parish in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, located at the confluence of two streams of the River Ure in the form of the Laver and Skell. The city is noted for its main feature the Ripon Cathedral which is architecturally...
in 1845. He held a curacy at Wakefield
Wakefield
Wakefield is the main settlement and administrative centre of the City of Wakefield, a metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England. Located by the River Calder on the eastern edge of the Pennines, the urban area is and had a population of 76,886 in 2001....
, and then one at Flaxton
Flaxton, North Yorkshire
Flaxton is a small village and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England. It is off the A64 between York and Malton. It is home to two pubs "The Blacksmiths Arms" and "The Thompson Arms". The residents hold an annual 'Flaxton fun day' on the village green which is always a...
in 1847, but never held a living anywhere or an appointment in the ecclesiastical hierarchy of the Established Church. From photographs of him in his clerical robes, he was probably a high-church man which may explain why he never held a living. York was nearly all low-church
Low church
Low church is a term of distinction in the Church of England or other Anglican churches initially designed to be pejorative. During the series of doctrinal and ecclesiastic challenges to the established church in the 16th and 17th centuries, commentators and others began to refer to those groups...
at the time. So he clearly had substantial private means.
Family life
Hornby married Ann(e) née Smales (1825–1902) at Saint Mary Bishophill within the city on 27 November 1844. They had one son and three daughters, Annie (b. 1846), William (b. 1847), Rosalie (b. 1851) and Beatrice (b. 1857). The family settled nearby at Clifton Garth at 4 St Olaves Road in CliftonClifton, City of York
Clifton is a suburb of York in the unitary authority of the City of York, in the north of England about 1½ miles from the city centre. The A19, passes north out of York through Clifton.The old village area was made a Conservation Area in 1968...
, which he extended. This property has been extensively altered since his time.
Public Affairs
Hornby was an active DirectorBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
and Trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
of the York Cemetery Company
York Cemetery, York
York Cemetery is a cemetery located in the city of York, England. Founded in 1837, it now encompasses 24 acres and is owned and administered by The York Cemetery Trust with support of the Friends of York Cemetery. It is situated on Cemetery Road in the Fishergate area of York. It has approximately...
, which was founded in 1837 to establish a 24 acres (97,124.6 m²) civil cemetery outside the city walls and relieve pressure on the historic ecclesiastical cemeteries. Both grounds and chapel were designed by James Pigott Pritchett
James Pigott Pritchett
James Pigott Pritchett was an architect of London and York whose practice stretched from Lincolnshire to the Scottish borders.-Personal life:...
. The company was liquidated in 1966, and after several years of neglect was obtained by the York Cemetery Trust in 1987.
He was also a manager of the York Savings Bank, which was established in 1816 for the working classes, and operated out of offices in Blake Street which were built in 1819.
He was also a noted local antiquarian, being primarily interested in the Minster, churches and City of York.
He also succeeded to the Lord of the Manor of Heworth
Heworth, York
Heworth is part of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England, about north-east of the centre. It is sometimes referred to as Heworth Village...
, which included the parishes of Saint Cuthbert and Saint Olave just east of the city. The Manor Hall lay off Heworth Road outside of the city walls.
Death
He continued to be very active until shortly before his death on 28 September 1888, when he was aged 67.His widow
Widow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
placed a window by Charles Eamer Kempe
Charles Eamer Kempe
Charles Eamer Kempe was a well-known Victorian stained glass designer. After attending Twyford School, he studied for the priesthood at Pembroke College, Oxford, but it became clear that his severe stammer would be an impediment to preaching...
in the York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
in his memory. It is dedicated to Saint Peter the Apostle, and is inscribed: "To the glory of God and in loving memory of Robert William Bilton Hornby, and William and Sophia his father and mother." This window may be found behind the astronomical clock in the right rear corner of the main hall.
She died at Overdene, Moseley
Moseley
Moseley is a suburb of Birmingham, England, two miles south of the city centre. The area is a popular cosmopolitan residential location and leisure destination, with a number of bars and restaurants...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
on 18 February 1902.
Papers
Many of Hornby's private papers are with the York Minster Archives. The Hornby collections and scrapbooks are extensive and unorganized, and rarely note sources. Papers of the York Cemetery CompanyYork Cemetery, York
York Cemetery is a cemetery located in the city of York, England. Founded in 1837, it now encompasses 24 acres and is owned and administered by The York Cemetery Trust with support of the Friends of York Cemetery. It is situated on Cemetery Road in the Fishergate area of York. It has approximately...
and the York Savings Bank can be found in the North Yorkshire County Record Office in Northallerton
Northallerton
Northallerton is an affluent market town and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. It lies in the Vale of Mowbray and at the northern end of the Vale of York. It has a population of 15,741 according to the 2001 census...
, and in the York City Archives.
External links
- North Yorkshire County Record Office
- York Minster Library and Archive
- York City Archives