Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject: Alfred Cobham M.A. J.P.
Alfred b 1858 was my Gt Uncle. He was the son of Ro(d)ger Cobham and Ann Leadbetter. In Ann's funeral report of April 1926 it said she was the Mother of Mr Alfred Cobham, Southport's Honorary M.A.
I found a reference card in the Library relating to his death reported in the SV of 18 Sept 1930 "SOUTHPORT J.P.'s TRAGIC DEATH.. which took place under distressing circumstances at his residence East Street Southport."
He had been ill, had undergone an operation, became depressed, knew he had cancer and "was found hanging in an outhouse at the rear of his residence."
There was a great long list of tributes to him... "known as the Working Man MA the honour was conferred upon him by the Cambridge University in connection with the jubilee celebraton of the local lectures in July 1923."
He'd left school aged 9 but was self educated and for over 30 years had attended lectures - all the subject were listed! "He had a problem housing all his certificates"......
"He was a poineer in the organisation of the Workers' Education Movement in Southport and his work for that Association and the University Extension Society was honoured by Southport students in 1922 when they presented him with his portrait, a robe and a monetary gift. The portrait was hung in the Southport Art Gallery."
The next edition of the Visiter gave a long account of the Inquest and the following edition gave a very full account of his funeral which took place at Chapel Street Congregational Church. The Mayor and Corporation were there along with everybody that was anybody in the town, and county and they all appear to have sent floral tributes.
He' was obviously very highly regarded and was made a J.P. a few months before his death - he was 73 when he died.
A few years ago, an old "Auntie" told me my Mum had an uncle whose portrait hung in the Atkinson Art Gallery. Well now I know who he was.
I visited the Art Galley but they can only search their records by the Artists name and not the subject - so no help there. I wonder what happened to that portrait.
Didn't know I was going to discover Gt Uncle Alf when I headed "back home" last month!
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