Thomas William Dunn

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Thomas William Dunn
M.A.

Thomas William Dunn as an assistant master at Clifton, soon after leaving Boston Grammar School.
Born 3 February 1837(1837-02-03)
Died 7 October 1930(1930-10-07) (aged 93)
Milton, Cambridgeshire
Education Trinity College, Cambridge; Peterhouse College, Cambridge
Roles Second Master
Years at BGS 1863-1866
Spouse Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Cay
Children Charles W Dunn
Parents Joseph Dunn, Mary
Relatives Joseph C Dunn (brother)

Thomas William Dunn (3 February 1837 - 7 October 1930) was second master of Boston Grammar School from 1863 to 1866.

Before Boston Grammar School

Dunn's parents were Joseph and Mary Dunn of Hereford and of Earlswood House, Knowle, Warwickshire. He was baptised on 10 March 1837 at Holmer, Herefordshire.

He was admitted sizar aged 23 at Trinity College, Cambridge on 24 May 1860 and migrated to Peterhouse on 15 October 1960, Dunn graduated in 1864 with First Class honours in the Cambridge Classical Tripos (M.A. 1867) and was elected as a Fellow of Peterhouse College in 1864 and held various college offices. He was appointed Librarian on 29 October 1866 and continued until 29 October 1867. He was appointed Dean on the same day and held the office until he left. He was appointed Praelector on 29 October 1867 and also held that office until he left the Fellowship. The Cambridge University Calendar volumes for 1867 and for 1868 list him as Assistant Tutor, but he does not figure as actual Tutor (i.e. Senior Tutor by today's definition), but he may have stood in for that role at some point. Dunn was a Fellow until 1868 and in retirement from his school was apparently a regular figure about College.

After Boston Grammar School

Thomas William Dunn in 1926 when, aged 89, he revisited Boston for the celebrations to mark the completion of the biggest extension of the school in its history to that date.

In 1868 Dunn was appointed by Clifton College as Fifth Form Master, Classical Side. In 1874, he opened Wiseman's House (WiH) at 30 College Road, which was later moved by Rev.H.J. Wiseman to Albert Road. Dunn left Clifton in 1878.

Dunn married the "beautiful and highly intelligent" Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Cay (1840-1921) on 2 August 1870 in Edinburgh.

Dunn was the first headmaster of Bath College from 1879 until 1897. He made the school famous through his own reputation as a teacher and the brilliant achievements of his pupils (notably, Herbert Warren, President of Magdalen College, Oxford, and J. A. Spender, the well-known journalist and author). A man of remarkable character; the embodiment of disinterestedness and uprightness. ‘His interests branched out in all directions and his teaching was an endless debate with his pupils on history, religion, philosophy, politics....’

Dunn wrote an article for the 1902 issue of the Gazette of the Old Bostonian Club in which he noted that games were played during his time "in a field lent to us by Mr. William Garfit", and later in a field adjoining the school. He also provided a none-too-flattering sketch of Frederick Firman and a kindlier one of John Francis Bazlinton, with whom he cultivated a close friendship.

In 1926, at the age of 89, Dunn made a visit to Boston for the celebrations to mark the completion of the quadrangle development at Boston Grammar School.

After his retirement, Dunn lived in Milton, Cambridgeshire, where he died in 1930.

References

  • John Alfred Spender (1934) "Thomas William Dunn: fellow and dean of Peterhouse, assistant master at Clifton college, founder and head master of Bath college" - Published privately - ASIN B000L5UCSE

See Also