Transcript

of

William Richard Crabbe, F.S.A. [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc. 1879, Vol. XI, pp. 53-54.

by

W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

The Local Studies Catalogue of the South West Trust Library possesses an extensive collection of Mr Crabbe’s publications; 14 in allThe article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the 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.

William Richard Crabbe, F.S.A., born in March, 1819, was the elder son of Joseph William Crabbe, a Commander in the Royal Navy, by his wife Isabella, younger sister of the late Mr. Pitman Jones, well known as the friend and collaborateur of the learned Dr. Oliver, of Exeter. Mr. Crabbe was admitted an attorney, but scarcely practised his profession, and devoted himself to archaeological pursuits. The only works he is known to have published were three papers in the Transactions of the Exeter Diocesan Architectural Society, of which he was a member. These were, "A Description of the Tomb of Bishop Bronescombe, in Exeter Cathedral" (vol. iv.); "Monumental Brasses of Devon "(vols. v. and vi.); and “An Account of Haccombe Church"(vol. vii.). Mr. Crabbe was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in February, 1868. In 1863 he accepted the office of Honorary Secretary of the Devon and Exeter Institution, and held it until increasing infirmities induced him to resign in 1875. He also took a leading part in the arrangement of an excellent collection of local antiquities when the Royal Archaeological Institute visited Exeter, in 1873.

After a long illness Mr. Crabbe expired at his residence, East Wonford, Hele, Heavitree, near Exeter, on the 2nd Oct., 1878, having been a member of the Association from 1870.