4 September 2013

William Johnson Cory in Hampstead

8 Pilgrim's Lane, Hampstead, London.

'WILLIAM JOHNSON CORY
IONICUS
1823–1892
TEACHER, SCHOLAR AND POET. LIVED
AND DIED IN THIS HOUSE. AN ASSISTANT
MASTER AT ETON COLLEGE 1845–1872.
HE COMPOSED THE WORDS FOR THE
ETON BOATING SONG.'

Cory was born Johnson, but changed his name after being forced to resign from Eton following a complaint made by the parents of one of his pupils about an 'indiscreet' letter Cory had written to the boy.
  
I've no idea what this ship's figurehead is doing here, but if anyone does know I'd be very pleased if they'd let me know via a comment or in an email.
 
ADDENDUM: Read the comment from Maggie below for a link to the solution to the mystery.

2 comments:

Maggie Jones said...


Found this today on google. It seems to solve the mystery.

http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/tributes_to_businesswoman_with_mermaid_house_1_630255

Dr Tony Shaw said...

It does indeed - thanks a lot for this!