Transcript

of

Sir Cuthbert Edgar Peek [Obituary]

Trans. Devon Assoc., vol. XXXI, (1899), pp. 53-54.

by

J. Brooking-Rowe

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1901 Exeter meeting. Sir Cuthbert was an astronomer and meteorologist who took part in the activities of several major learned societies. The Wikipedia entry at provides a great deal of information about is work and life. 
An obituary for Sir Cuthbert also appeared in The Observatory (A journal on Astronomy), Vol. 24, p. 306-307 (1901), which is available in the SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS). The present obituary, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the on which digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Sir Cuthbert Edgar Peek, Bart., worthy son of a worthy sire, leaves behind him the memory of one of the kindest-hearted of men and the most genial of companions. He was the only child of Sir Henry William Peek, Bart, and Margaret Maria, second daughter of William Edgar, and was born 30th January, 1855. He was educated at Eton, and matriculated at Cambridge, entering Pembroke College, and in due course taking his degrees of B.A. and M.A. He married Augusta Louisa, daughter of William, eighth Viscount Midleton, by whom he had a family of two sons and four daughters.

Sir Cuthbert was Member of Council of the Royal Geographical Society, which society he endowed with a medal for the advancement of geographical knowledge. He was Hon. Secretary of the Anthropological Society, and was also on the council of the Royal Meteorological Society. He went to Queensland on the occasion of the last Transit of Venus Expedition, and also made an extensive journey in the little-frequented parts of Iceland. He maintained at his place, Rousdon, near Lyme Regis, an astronomical and meteorological observatory admirably equipped, and the work done at this establishment has met with hearty recognition from foreign astronomers. With his Merz equatorial of 6.4 inches, he carried on a series of observations of about twenty-five of the long-period variable stars, the scheme being by continuous record of the changes of light to obtain, if possible, some insight into the cause or causes of their variability. His meteorological results have been published regularly for nearly twenty years. On meteorology and astronomy he wrote several works, including Observations at Rousdon Observatory, Devon, 1886-1895, When any gale or storm of exceptional severity occurred he was in the habit of contributing to the columns of the Times and to the local papers his observations of the force and direction of the wind at Rousdon. He was J.P. for Devon, Middlesex, and London, and one of His Majesty's Lieutenants for the City of London.

Sir Cuthbert had travelled a great deal, and the fine museums at Rousdon contain large and valuable collections of objects of anthropology and natural history collected by him from all parts of the world.

The late baronet was very fond of Devonshire, and took much interest in everything connected with the neighbourhood in which he resided, inheriting the kindliness which distinguished his father. His hearty welcome and happy and genial bearing on the occasion of Sir Henry Peek's reception of the Association in August, 1898, will not be forgotten by those who had the good fortune to be present Sir Cuthbert filled the office of President of the Colyton Agricultural Society, he was a Ruling Councillor of the Primrose League, and from the formation of County Councils in 1888 until within a year or two he represented the Seaton Division on the County Council. He sat at Axminster Petty Sessional Court, and evinced particular interest in licensing matters. As a Conservative he took a leading interest in the work of the Honiton District Conservative Association, and held high office, and last year he filled the office of President of the Exeter Constitutional Club. Sir Cuthbert was a Fellow of the Society of Anti- quaries. After a long and painful illness he died at Brighton, 6th July, 1901.