Cecil William Davidge
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Cecil William Davidge | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 March 1863 London, England |
| Died | 16 January 1936 (aged 72) Kingsthorpe, England |
| Education | Hurstpierpoint College |
| Alma mater | Durham University University College London |
| Occupation(s) | Author and Academic |
| Spouse | Elsie Hamer |
| Children | 3 (including Cecil Davidge) |
Cecil William Davidge (28 March 1863 – 16 January 1936) was a professor of English, author and Freemason. Davidge was the father of the barrister and academic Cecil Vere Davidge and grandfather of Olympic rower Christopher Davidge.[1]
Davidge was born on 28 March 1863 the only son of Frederick William Davidge and his wife, Harriet Julia Frances Ponsonby, daughter of the Major General the Hon. Sir Frederick Ponsonby.[2] He was educated at Hurstpierpoint College, followed by University College London where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and Durham University where he received a Master of Arts degree in English.[1]
Academic career
Following university Davidge headed the United Society Partners in the Gospel mission to Japan from 1898 until 1907 and became a master at the SPG School of Kobe.[1] Following the SPG mission in 1907 he entered the service of the Imperial Japanese Government as Professor of English, University College of Commerce, Kobe, he remained in that position until 1930.[1] During his period as Professor of English, he tutored Hirohito, the future Emperor Shōwa. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class; the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 4th Class, until he was promoted to the rank of Chokunin.[3][4][5]
Masonic career
As well as his academic work, Davidge was also the founder and Master (late Past Master) of the Lodge Albion in the Far East and a PDGW (Grand Warden) of the District Grand Lodge of Japan.[1]
Literary work
During his time in Japan, Davidge wrote the book Practical Hints for Craftsmen, published in 1910 and republished in 2014 as a book of Historical Interest.[1][6] Following his retirement from Japan in 1930 he retired to Kingsthorpe, Northamptonshire and helped with the Northamptonshire Record Society.[7]
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