Thomas Rossell Potter
Encyclopedia
Thomas Rossell Potter was a British
antiquary. He started a school in Leicestershire, but he is known for his publications about the history and geology of Leicestershire
. He was the editor of a number of local newspapers.
, Derbyshire
on 7 January 1799, to John and Mary Potter, he went to Risley grammar school, and later to the grammar school at Wirksworth
. When he was fifteen his parents removed to Wymeswold
in Leicestershire
, and there he resided until his death.
Potter's intention of entering the church was frustrated by his father's death, and Potter accordingly started a school on Elm Street in Wymeswold called "The Hermitage" (pictured). The school proved successful, and, with the exception of a few years devoted entirely to literary work, he spent the remainder of his days in tuition. The account below is taken from a schoolbook by Thomas Wamer Lacey which was rediscovered in a record office in 1999. He wrote:
A notable student of his was the antiquarian John Joseph Briggs
.
Potter had developed a taste for literature, and especially for antiquities and geology. In 1841/42 he temporarily removed from Wymeswold to a house in Charnwood Forest
, and while there he collected notes about the history, antiquities, natural history, and geology of the area. This became The History and Antiquities of Charnwood Forest.
Potter attempted a reissue of the History of Leicestershire by John Nichols
, but his effort proved abortive, and, though much was written, only the Physical Geography and Geology of Leicestershire was printed (in 1866).
Potter was fond of field sports, was a regular attender at meets of the Quorn Hunt
, and contributed a series of papers and poems for the Sporting Magazine from 1827 until 1840, under the pseudonym
of Old Grey. He afterwards wrote for the Sporting Review. He became editor of the Leicester Advertiser in 1849, of the Ilkeston Pioneer in 1856, and of the Leicester Guardian in 1858. In 1865 he was editor of the Loughborough Monitor (later the Loughborough Monitor and News).
Potter married, on 14 January 1836, Frances Sarah Fosbrooke of Shardlow Hall, Derbyshire. They had five sons and four daughters. Potter died before his wife, on 19 April 1873 in Wymeswold.
Besides the works mentioned, he published:
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
antiquary. He started a school in Leicestershire, but he is known for his publications about the history and geology of Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
. He was the editor of a number of local newspapers.
Biography
Born at West HallamWest Hallam
West Hallam is a large village close to Ilkeston in the County of Derbyshire in the East Midlands region of England.West Hallam has had its own parish council since 1894 and, since 1974, has been part of the Erewash Borough.-Early history:...
, Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
on 7 January 1799, to John and Mary Potter, he went to Risley grammar school, and later to the grammar school at Wirksworth
Wirksworth
Wirksworth is a small market town in Derbyshire, England, with a population of over 9,000.The population of the Wirksworth area including Cromford, Bolehill and Middleton-by-Wirksworth is about 12,000. Wirksworth is listed in the Domesday Book in 1086. Within it is the source of the River...
. When he was fifteen his parents removed to Wymeswold
Wymeswold
Wymeswold is a village and civil parish in the Charnwood district of Leicestershire, England. It is in the north of Leicestershire, and north-east of Loughborough. It has a population of about 1,000...
in Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, and there he resided until his death.
Potter's intention of entering the church was frustrated by his father's death, and Potter accordingly started a school on Elm Street in Wymeswold called "The Hermitage" (pictured). The school proved successful, and, with the exception of a few years devoted entirely to literary work, he spent the remainder of his days in tuition. The account below is taken from a schoolbook by Thomas Wamer Lacey which was rediscovered in a record office in 1999. He wrote:
"... I then came to Mr Potters of Wymeswould, he is a very kind master, and Mrs Potter is a kind mistress, and was like a mother to us all, and will always be remembered by us. Mr Potter takes us a fishing, and bathing, and we have delightful walks, a pleasant playground, pretty little gardens, rabbithouses, &c. furnish amusements for us in the Summer evenings. In Winter we have a Library of Books to run to, a magic lantern to amuse us, and many a long hour do we spend in listening to Mr P~s tales round the cheerful fire..."
A notable student of his was the antiquarian John Joseph Briggs
John Joseph Briggs
John Joseph Briggs , naturalist and topographer, was born in the village of Kings Newton , Derbyshire on 6 March 1819...
.
Potter had developed a taste for literature, and especially for antiquities and geology. In 1841/42 he temporarily removed from Wymeswold to a house in Charnwood Forest
Charnwood Forest
Charnwood Forest is an upland tract in north-western Leicestershire, England, bounded by Leicester, Loughborough, and Coalville. The area is undulating, rocky and picturesque, with barren areas. It also has some extensive tracts of woodland; its elevation is generally 600 ft and upwards, the area...
, and while there he collected notes about the history, antiquities, natural history, and geology of the area. This became The History and Antiquities of Charnwood Forest.
Potter attempted a reissue of the History of Leicestershire by John Nichols
John Nichols (printer)
John Nichols was an English printer, author and antiquary.-Early life and apprenticeship:He was born in Islington, London to Edward Nichols and Anne Wilmot. On 22 June 1766 he married Anne Cradock daughter of William Cradock...
, but his effort proved abortive, and, though much was written, only the Physical Geography and Geology of Leicestershire was printed (in 1866).
Potter was fond of field sports, was a regular attender at meets of the Quorn Hunt
Quorn Hunt
The Quorn Hunt, usually called The Quorn, established 1696, is one of the world's oldest fox hunting packs and claims to be the United Kingdom's most famous hunt...
, and contributed a series of papers and poems for the Sporting Magazine from 1827 until 1840, under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
of Old Grey. He afterwards wrote for the Sporting Review. He became editor of the Leicester Advertiser in 1849, of the Ilkeston Pioneer in 1856, and of the Leicester Guardian in 1858. In 1865 he was editor of the Loughborough Monitor (later the Loughborough Monitor and News).
Potter married, on 14 January 1836, Frances Sarah Fosbrooke of Shardlow Hall, Derbyshire. They had five sons and four daughters. Potter died before his wife, on 19 April 1873 in Wymeswold.
Besides the works mentioned, he published:
- Walks round LoughboroughLoughboroughLoughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
, 1840. - The Genius of NottinghamshireNottinghamshireNottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, 1849. - Rambles round Loughborough, reprinted from The Loughborough News, 1868.
- Poems, 1881