The Year 1939 in History

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 9 (Supplement)

The Year 1939 in History

THE year 1939 is rich in interesting anniversaries. It is a thousand ' years since the famous Persian astronomer and mathematician ' Abdul-wafa was born. It is 300 years since Thomas Tompion, the Father of English ■watchmaking, born, and since "William Mompesson, the hero of Eyam, fivst opened his eyes. Two centuries ago this year was born John Walter, founder of the Times, and Sir Hyde Parker, - the admiral. January 19 was the 100 th anniversary of the birth of Paul . Cezanne, the French artist. ;; It was 100 years on February 13 since Sir William Arrol was born, remembered as the founder of the great engineering firm which built the Forth

Bridge and the Tower, Bridge. On February 20 Settle in Yorkshire will celebrate the centenary of the birth of Beujariiin Waugh, founder of the N.S.r.C.C. Marph 27 is the 50th anniversary of the death of John Bright. It was on April 22, 1839, that Thomas Bayly; the song-writer, died; and April 30 is the 500 th "anniversary of the death of Richari Beauchamp, the famous Earl of Warwick whose magnificent tomb is one of the sights of the church in which he sleeps. It will be 850 years on May 24 since Archbishop Lanfranc died, his passing being- commemorated- at Canterbury; and two days later Lady Mary Montagu will be remembered, for she was born 200 rears ago. Her letters give us a wonderful picture of the England of her day., It was on June 17. 1830. that Lord William Cavendish Bentinck, India's first Governor-General, died; and on June 17 falls the 700 th anniversary of

the birth of Edward the First. June 23 is the centenary of the death of that astonishing woman, Lady Hester Stanhope. On July 2 comes the 450 th anniversary of tho birth of Archbishop Oranmer; and four days later brings us to the 750 th anniversary of tho death of Henry the Second, the king who quarrelled with Bccket. Fifty years ago on July 31. died Horatius Bonar, the Scottish preacher; and on September 19 in 1839 was born the famous and beloved Georgo Cadburv, social reformer and dreamer of Bournville. September 23 will bring to mind Eliza Cook, who wrote the poem "The* Cane-Bottomed Chair," for it will then be 50 years since she passed on. October 7 is tho 100 th anniversary of the birth of Lady Brassoy, the traveller whoso story of tho voyage in the Sunbeam was a great favourite. We may be sure that Manchester will celebrate tho 50th anniversary of tho death of James Prescott Joule, the wonderful scientist who died on Octo-

bcr ]l, 1889; and a still more notable day will bo November 15, for it is the centenary of tho death of William Murdoch, inventor of gas-lighting. The following day will bo tho anniversary of tho birth of William de Morgan, artist, potter, and writer of charming novels. November 18, 1889, was the last day in the life of William Allingham, who gave lis the delightful little poem, Up tho airy mountain, Down the rushy glen, I dare not go a-hunting For fear of little men. November 20 will bo the centenary of tho death of John Williams, the heroic missionary who was killed by cannibals: and "the last notable date is December 12, the 50th anniversary of the death of that unconquerable poet of optimism, Robert Browning, who believed that, in spite of all evil, God's in His Heaven. All's Vr'ell with the world. —The Children's Newspaper.