Consecration of St John's Church

Information

1407: There were some controversial points behind the consecration of, and the first Mass at, St John's church by Peterborough's mitred Abbot Genge. Philip Repington, the Bishop of Lincoln, should have attended but, it was claimed, he had more pressing engagements. Bishop Repington was chaplain and confessor to King Henry VI and it was 'suggested' that he was too busy chasing promotion to come to Peterborough. Was it a coincidence that he became a cardinal in 1408? (Bull, J&V., A History of Peterborough Parish Church - St John the Baptist 1407-2007; Mackreth, Donald, Peterborough - History & Guide,Sutton, 1994)

Taken from: The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.

Opening of Peterborough's Library

1906

Information

Though a free public library had been open in the city since 1893, it was realised that a purpose-built library was required. Negotiations occurred in August, 1903 between the Mayor, George Keeble JP, and Andrew Carnegie, the Scots-American steel magnate, millionaire and philanthropist, which resulted in the latter contributing the “handsome sum” of £6000 towards a new, central library. A newspaper report stated that the new library “will almost certainly be built on the ‘Stanley’ property.” This could be a reference to a piece of land owned by William Proctor Stanley, a local businessman.

The new building on Broadway was opened on May 29th.1906 by Andrew Carnegie, who was later entertained to lunch by the Mayor, Thomas C Lamplugh JP in “the spacious upper room” of the library. Carnegie was also given the Freedom of the City of Peterborough; the first person to receive that particular honour.

In turn, the 1906 library was superseded by the current premises which opened on July 2nd. 1990.

References:

Peterborough Standard, August 1903;

Peterborough Standard, June 1906;

Peterborough Advertiser, June 1906.

Resources

Mr Andrew Carnegie , Fitzwilliam Hall

Alfred Caleb Taylor and the First X Ray Machine Outside London

1896

Information

Alfred Caleb Taylor was born in Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire in 1861 and came to Peterborough aged ten. He worked at the Peterborough Infirmary on Priestgate from 1880 as a dispenser. He also served as Secretary of the Infirmary from 1889 until his retirement in 1926.

Mr Taylor had a keen interest in photography and chaired the Peterborough Photographic Society. This carried over into an interest in X-rays being an early advocate of X-ray technology. In 1896 he designed and built his own equipment under the stairs in the infirmary. This device, the first X-ray machine in the United Kingdom outside London, was powered by accumulators. They were recharged at a local flour mill as there was no public electricity supply at that time. When an electricity supply was available in Peterborough, Mr Harry Cox, from London, was consulted regarding a larger installation. Many people made donations towards the new x-ray apparatus; Mr Andrew Carnegie, Peterborough’s first Freeman kindly donated £125 towards the installation. As with the photography of the time the images produced by the X-ray machines were positives rather than negatives.

Radiography

As the science of radiography was so new, the danger of exposure to X-rays was unknown. Taylor worked with the x-rays so often, that it badly affected his health. He contracted radiation poisoning resulting in the loss of four fingers, three on the left hand and one on the right. Despite this he never expressed any regrets and said,

“I have only done my duty, and if I have sacrificed bits of my fingers so that I am not able to tie up my shoes laces, I feel I have been compensated, for I have loved the x-ray work and its excitements. For all the trouble I had at the beginning I have been more than compensated by your appreciation, and although I have lost bits of fingers, I would still do the same if I had my life to come again.”

Alfred Caleb Taylor died on the 6^th of July 1927, a pioneer and martyr.

References:

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5982837 - Paul Bryan

Peterborough Museum

Resources

Peterborough Infirmary , x rays , Peterborough Photographic society , Mr Andrew Carnegie , Mr harry Cox , Freeman , Radiation poisoning , Alfred Caleb Taylor , Medicine , Health , Disability

Please rotate your device

Consecration of St John's Church

Information

Opening of Peterborough's Library

1906

Information

Resources

Alfred Caleb Taylor and the First X Ray Machine Outside London

1896

Information

Radiography

Resources

Opening of Peterborough's L…

Alfred Caleb Taylor and the…

Please rotate your device

Consecration of St John's Church

Information

Opening of Peterborough's Library

1906

Information

Resources

Related stories

Alfred Caleb Taylor and the First X Ray Machine Outside London

1896

Information

Radiography

Resources

Related stories

Links

Opening of Peterborough's L…

Alfred Caleb Taylor and the…