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Frederic Sanders Pulling, M.A. [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc. 1893, Vol XXV, pp.162-163.

by

W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1893 Torquay meeting. Mr Pulling, a reputable historian who died at a relatively young age, is perhaps best remembered as editor of Life and Speeches of the Marquis of Salisbury, 2 vols., 1885.  He died at the vicarage and is buried in Pinhoe. The 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.

Frederic Sanders Pulling, M.A., eldest son of the Rev. F. W. Pulling, vicar of Pinhoe, Exeter, was born in 1853. He received part of his early education at the Exeter Grammar School, whence at the age of fourteen he proceeded to St. Andrews, Bradfield, and on the 12th December, 1871, was elected a Scholar of Exeter College, Oxford. He matriculated on the 19th January, 1872. In 1875 he took his B.A. degree, having obtained first-class honours in the History School, and proceeded to the degree of M.A. in 1878. In 1877 he was appointed to the Professorship of History and Literature in the Yorkshire College, Leeds, and subsequently returning to Oxford, became a successful private tutor for the History School, combining with this much University Extension work, attracting large audiences by his enthusiasm as a lecturer on various periods of English History and Literature.

About seven years previous to his decease he removed to 18, Addison Road, Bedford Park, London, W., and soon made his mark as a contributor to the press by his admirable combination of literary skill, extensive knowledge, and political sagacity. He was well known and much esteemed in the Lobby of the House, and at most of the political clubs, his advice being more than once confidentially sought by certain of the party leaders.

Mr. Pulling early manifested his literary powers, and was one of five undergraduates who originated and maintained the Shotover Papers, jeux d’esprit of more than a mere ephemeral reputation. He was much interested in Geographical research; and, as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he projected and edited an interesting series of volumes, entitled, Foreign Countries and British Colonies. He also originated and edited, with the assistance of many eminent contributors, a dictionary of English History, a work of sterling merit; and he edited the Life and Speeches of the Marquis of Salisbury, 2 vols., 1885. Having considerable acumen as an Art critic, he wrote an appreciative memoir of Sir Joshua Reynolds, whose character and genius he much admired. For several years, so untiring was his industry, he occupied the post of Professor of History at Queen's College, London, and was Senior Examiner in History in England and Wales for the Oxford Local Examinations, receiving sometimes two or three thousand sheets from the various centres, all of which he conscientiously perused, and occasionally humorously annotated.

He joined the Association in 1884, and more than once, when sending his annual subscription, expressed his regret at his inability to attend the Annual Meetings, adding that he perused the annual volume of Transactions with the most lively interest

Mr. Pulling married, on the 24th September, 1877, Edith L, daughter of Richard William Geldard, Rector of Clyst St. Lawrence, Devon, by whom he had a small family. He died at the vicarage, Pinhoe, on July 6th, 1893, at the early age of 40 years.

Few men have at his age won the regard and affection of a wider circle of friends in Oxford and London. By these he was admired for his genial, kindly nature, and for his un-failing readiness to assist a good political or social cause by tongue and pen. It must be added that he was a devout Christian and a faithful Churchman, heartily espousing the cause of religious education, for which he earnestly contended, as a main safeguard of religion in these days of sceptical and materialistic sentiment.