Brief Biography of J.G.Cumming 1812-1868

Born 1812 Matlock Derbyshire, educated Oakham School and Emmanuel College Cambridge (1831-4). Ordained 1834 and became curate at North Runction, Norfolk to his uncle James Cumming the eminent, though eccentric, Professor of Chemistry at Cambridge. Became Classical Master West Riding Proprietory School 1838, married 1841 (?) Miss Agnes Peckham, and was appointed Vice Principal of King William's College 1841. Elected Fellow of Geological Society 1846. Appointed head master Cathedral School Lichfield 1856. Appointed to Chair of Classical Studies and Geology (!) at Queen's College Birmingham (now University of Birmingham). After 11 years asked for transfer to parochial work and appointed to vicarage of Mellis in Suffolk. Later exchanged this living with that of St. James Bethnal Green London and died suddenly shortly afterwards. Left six children and widow.

References

E.H.StenningThe Life and Work of the Rev J.G.Cumming Proc IoMNHAS Vol II No 4 pp402/414 1928
Huxley Obituary Proceedings Geological Soc, Vol. xxx., p. 37.

Major Publications

• The Isle of Man. lts History, Physical, Ecclesiastical, Civil, and Legendary London: John van Voorst 1848 (actually the first detailed geological survey of the Island!)
• The Story of Rushen Castle and Rushen Abbey, in the Isle of Man. London: Bell and Daldy 1857.
• The Runic and Other Monumental Remains of the Isle of Man. London: Bell and Daldy, 1857
• The Account of the Isle of Man, by William Sacheverell, Esq., late Governor of Man. (edited vrsn of 1702) Manx Soc vol I.
• The Isle of Man. A Guide to the Isle of Man. with the means of access thereto, and an introduction to its scenery. Containing also a general synopsis of its Constitution; Climate; Language; Population; Manners and Customs, Topography; Civil and Ecclesiastical History, Agriculture; Fisheries; Mines; Minerals; Manufactures; Antiquities: Botany; Geology and Zoology. London: Edward Stanford, 1861.
• The Great Stanley, or James VIIth Earl of Derby, and his Noble Countess, Charlotte de la Tremouille, in their Land of Man. A Narrative of the XVIIth Century. Interspersed with Notices of Manx Manners, Customs, Law's, Legends, and Fairy Tales. Copiously illustrated with Manx Scenery and Antiquities. London: William Mackintosh,1867.
• Antiquitates Manniae: or a Collection of Memoirs on the Antiquities of the Isle of Man. Manx Soc vol XV 1868