Bracken, Charles William

Obituary

Published in DA Transactions, 1951.

Charles William Bracken, B.A., F.R.E.S., was born at Plymouth 30th June, 1868 and died 6th November, 1950. His long life was spent mainly at Plymouth, to which city he rendered much distinguished service.

He was educated at the Plymouth Public School (Jago’s school) and at St. Mark’s College, Chelsea, training for the scholastic profession. At the age of 40 he was appointed headmaster of Plymouth Corporation Grammar School, a post which he held for twenty years, retiring in 1929. On his retirement he devoted his leisure to furthering the cause of education and to the history of his native city and to entomological and other natural history subjects.

He published his well-known “History of Plymouth and her neighbours” in 1931; and when the British Medical Association visited the city in 1938 he was responsible for the historical side of “The Book of Plymouth”, published on that occasion. Many other papers, both historical and entomological, flowed from his pen.

He was an able speaker and devoted his talent to service as a lay-reader, as a broadcaster and as a lecturer for the Workers’ Educational Association and many other bodies.

With Mr. R. Hansford Worth he gave (from 1934) service of great distinction to the Devonshire Association in Plymouth. Amongst other offices he held that of President in 1940, and General Editor (1935—1937).

Papers published in DA’s Transactions

Notes

• Documents etc. held by the National Archives