York virtuosi
Encyclopedia
The York Virtuosi were an informal group of antiquarians, artists and natural philosophers
who gathered initially around Martin Lister
in York
between 1670 and 1683.
They were "at the height of their powers" towards the end of the century, and in this group may be seen the roots of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society
(founded 1822) which followed the example of newly founded societies in Leeds
, Sheffield
and Hull
.
Among the group were:
On the periphery of the group were
Natural philosophy
Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature , is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science...
who gathered initially around Martin Lister
Martin Lister
Martin Lister FRS was an English naturalist and physician.-Life:Lister was born at Radcliffe, near Buckingham, the son of Sir Martin Lister MP for Brackley in the Long Parliament and his wife Susan Temple daughter of Sir Alexander Temple. Lister was connected to a number of well known individuals...
in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
between 1670 and 1683.
They were "at the height of their powers" towards the end of the century, and in this group may be seen the roots of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society
Yorkshire Philosophical Society
The Yorkshire Philosophical Society is a charitable learned society aimed at promoting the natural sciences, archaeology and history. The society was formed in York in December 1822 by James Atkinson, William Salmond, Anthony Thorpe and William Vernon....
(founded 1822) which followed the example of newly founded societies in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
and Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
.
Among the group were:
- Martin ListerMartin ListerMartin Lister FRS was an English naturalist and physician.-Life:Lister was born at Radcliffe, near Buckingham, the son of Sir Martin Lister MP for Brackley in the Long Parliament and his wife Susan Temple daughter of Sir Alexander Temple. Lister was connected to a number of well known individuals...
(c.1638–1712), zoologist, Fellow of the Royal SocietyRoyal SocietyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
and eventually its vice-president - Ralph ThoresbyRalph ThoresbyRalph Thoresby , born in Leeds and is widely credited with being the first historian of that city. He was besides a merchant, non-conformist, fellow of the Royal Society, diarist, author, common-councilman in the Corporation of Leeds, and museum keeper.-Upbringing:Ralph Thoresby was the son of John...
(1658–1725), antiquarian and topographer - Henry Gyles (1645–1709) the glass painter;
- Thomas Mann, maker of compasses and waywiserSurveyor's wheelA surveyor's wheel, also called a clickwheel, hodometer, waywiser, trundle wheel, measuring wheel, or perambulator is a device for measuring distance.-Origin:...
s - Joshua Mann, his brother
- Francis PlaceFrancis Place (artist)Francis Place was an English gentleman draughtsman, potter, engraver and printmaker, active mainly in York.He was the fifth son of Rowland Place of Dinsdale, county Durham, and his wife, Catherine , daughter and coheiress of Charles Wise of Copgrove, Yorkshire.Place entered law as his father had...
(1647–1728), a topographical artist who had apartments in the King's ManorKing's ManorThe King's Manor is a Grade I listed building in York, England, and is part of the University of York.King's Manor was originally built to house the abbots of St Mary's Abbey, York. The Abbot's house probably occupied the site since the eleventh century, but the earliest remains date from the... - William LodgeWilliam LodgeWilliam Lodge was an English engraver and printmaker of the Baroque period, born in Yorkshire.His father was a merchant, and he inherited a degree of financial independence. Lodge was educated first at Leeds, then at Jesus College in Cambridge, then studied law at Lincoln's Inn. He however mostly...
(1649–1689), engraver and printmaker - John Lambert (c.1640–1701), son of John Lambert (general)John Lambert (general)John Lambert was an English Parliamentary general and politician. He fought during the English Civil War and then in Oliver Cromwell's Scottish campaign , becoming thereafter active in civilian politics until his dismissal by Cromwell in 1657...
- Jacques Parmentier (1658–1730), a French painter
- Thomas Kirke (1650–1706), mathematician
- John Etty (1634–1709), architect, whose memorial in All Saint's, North Street, states "By strength of his own genius and application he had acquired great knowedge of Mathematicks, especially Geometry & Architecture in all its parts far beyond any of his co-tempores in the City". He was the father of William EttyWilliam Etty (architect)William Etty was an English architect and craftsman, best known for designing Holy Trinity Church, Leeds and Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland.-Life and work:...
.
On the periphery of the group were
- Moses Ashenden, physician
- James Smith, (antiquarian), nephew of Henry Gyles
- George Plaxton, Rector of Barwick in Elmet
- Miles Gale, Rector of KeighleyKeighleyKeighley is a town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. It is situated northwest of Bradford and is at the confluence of the River Aire and the River Worth...
- Cyril Arthington, (c.1666–1720) Rector of AdelAdel, LeedsAdel is a suburb in North Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is situated between Cookridge, Holt Park, Weetwood and Alwoodley. To the north are the villages of Arthington and Bramhope and the market town of Otley...
and an FRS.