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W.T. Radford, M.D. [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. XXXII, (1900), pp. 44-45.

by

Rev. W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s August 1900 Totnes meeting. Dr Radford was an archetypical Victorian country gentleman of means; scholar, polymath; a perpetual student devoted to the study of science and literature. He was as well a liberal supporter of local charities. Among the several remaining records of his lengthy life: He became in 1856, a Life Member of the Royal Society of Arts. Dr Radford was in 1864, also a Life Member of the Royal Meteorological Society. The Society’s membership list with his name, for January 1867 may be accessed here. The obituary, 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.

W. T. Radford, M.D., of Sidmount, Sidmouth, was the eldest son of Mr. Peter Radford, and was born in Bedford Circus, Exeter, in the year 1810, his father being at that time house surgeon of the Devon and Exeter Hospital. He became a pupil at the college of the celebrated Dr. Carpenter, of Bristol, and later of the still more celebrated Dr. James Martineau, who assumed the mastership during the temporary illness of the Principal. On the removal of Dr. Martineau to Dublin Dr. Radford followed him, and under his tutorship obtained his B.A. degree, afterwards taking the M.B., and later his M.D. Having thus obtained the necessary qualifications for practising, he seems to have preferred devoting himself to science and literature. Throughout his long life he was a student, and as such had accumulated a vast store of knowledge, which his peculiarly modest nature unfortunately prevented him from utilising for the benefit of others. During the greater part of his life he was a member of the Athenaeum Club.

Dr. Radford, some twenty or thirty years ago, being annoyed at the deception practised by itinerant vendors of spectacles, and the injury caused to lace-workers of the district in which he resided, commenced the peculiar form of charity by which he became known throughout the southwest of England - that of giving away spectacles. From that time to a few months before his decease, when he was compelled to cease his gifts, he gave away about 30,000 pairs. This was not by any means the only form of philanthropy, for there was no national or county appeal, and certainly no local one, that did not receive a generous response from him. In him the local charities had a most liberal supporter, and the Cottage Hospital (of which he was Vice-President), the Cricket Club, the Volunteers, the Dispensary, and other institutions a sincere friend. Personally he was one of the old school, a charming conversationalist, beloved by everybody with whom he came in contact, while his extensive knowledge on a great variety of subjects made his acquaintance most valued by all who had the pleasure of enjoying it.

Dr. Radford had one brother, with whom he always resided, and who passed away in December last at the ripe age of 87; he himself was never married. He joined the Association in 1868, and subsequently became a life member, and in 1873 was one of the Vice-Presidents of the Association. He died on May 19th, 1900, at his residence at Sidmount, at the advanced age of 90 years.