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William Archibald Spooner, British clergyman and educationalist, 1898. Artist: Spy
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William Archibald Spooner, British clergyman and educationalist, 1898. Artist: Spy
William Archibald Spooner, British clergyman and academic, 1898. Spooner (1844-1930) had a 60 year association with Oxford University lecturing on ancient history and philosophy, and attaining the post of Warden of New College in 1903. He was an albino, of very short stature, and suffered from poor eyesight. The slips of the tongue known as Spoonerisms (matathesis) are named after him due to the apparent frequency with which he made them. Cartoon from Vanity Fair, London, 1898
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Media ID 14840297
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
Academic Albino Clergyman Cleric Gown Lectern Lecturer Leslie Leslie Matthew Ward Leslie Ward Oxford Science Archive Oxford University Priest Professor Short Sir Leslie Sir Leslie Ward Spooner University Ward Short Sighted
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the essence of William Archibald Spooner, a remarkable British clergyman and educationalist from the late 19th century. The artist, known as Spy, skillfully portrays Spooner's unique physical attributes and scholarly achievements. Despite his short stature and poor eyesight due to albinism, Spooner made an indelible mark on academia through his extensive association with Oxford University. For over six decades, he dedicated himself to lecturing on ancient history and philosophy at this prestigious institution. In recognition of his expertise and contributions, Spooner was appointed as the Warden of New College in 1903. However, it is not just his academic prowess that has secured him a place in history; rather it is his unintentional slips of the tongue that have immortalized him. Famously known as "Spoonerisms" these linguistic blunders became synonymous with his name due to their apparent frequency. This lithograph from Vanity Fair humorously captures both the serious scholar and the accidental wordsmith within one frame. Through this print collector's lens, we are transported back to a time when education held great importance in society. It serves as a testament to Sir Leslie Ward's artistic talent in capturing not only physical features but also personality traits through caricature portraiture. William Archibald Spooner remains an intriguing figure whose legacy continues to be celebrated today for both his intellectual contributions and linguistic quirks.
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