Identity area
Reference code
SJCR/SJAC/1/3/2/Parkinson/2/5
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 1882 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
1 volume. Paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Reverend Stephen Parkinson was born in 1823 near Keighley in Yorkshire. He was admitted Sizar to St John’s in 1841, gaining his BA as Senior Wrangler and 2nd Smith’s Prize in 1845. He graduated Bachelor of Divinity in 1855 and Doctor of Divinity in 1869.
The rest of his life was spent in connection with the College, and he was elected to a Fellowship the same year that he completed his BA. From 1864 to 1882 he served as a College Tutor, and as President between 1865 and 1871. In 1881 the Mastership of the College was vacant, however Parkinson declined to enter as a candidate.
Parkinson published two textbooks, An Elementary Treatise on Mechanics, and A Treatise on Optics, both of which ran to numerous editions and were the standard works in use at the University. He was a well-liked and generous Tutor, with his Eagle Obituary detailing a student who would have been unable to complete his degree without Dr Parkinson’s financial support. A window in the College Chapel was also gifted by Parkinson, as well as a donation to the College Mission.
In 1870 he became a Fellow of the Royal Society , and a year later married Elizabeth Lucy, who was to outlive him following his death in 1889.
Obituary in the Eagle: Vol. 15, 1889, p. 356.
Accessible online at:
https://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Eagle/Eagle%20Volumes/1880s/1889/Eagle_1889_Lent.pdf
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
A ledger entitled ‘Ledger 1882’. The ledger is a collection of records and accounts divided into three collections- private tutors bills, daybook bills and college bills delivered. The first collection recorded the bills paid to tutors from 1882 – 83. At the top of each page is the college term and year. Each private tutors name is provided with their students’ names underneath and how much each student owed. A total amount for the bill is also recorded. The ledger also provides record of the date upon which the bill was paid, the form of payment and the total sum given. The second part of the journal is a daybook which recorded various bills and accounts from the Christmas period of 1882 to the midsummer term of 1883. The day book recorded tuition fee charges with all students listed and sorted by their year of study. The day book also recorded which students were due to receive scholarships at various points during the academic year. The final collection in the ledger recorded the college bills delivered from the Christmas period of 1882 to the midsummer term of 1883. The ledger list who received their payment, how much they received, when they received, the form of payment and the exact amount given.