Robert Willis (engineer)

The Reverend Robert Willis (27 February 1800 – 28 February 1875) was an English academic. He was the first Cambridge professor to win widespread recognition as a mechanical engineer, and first set the scientific study of vowels on a respectable foundation, but is now best remembered for his extensive architectural writings, including a 4-volume treatise on the architecture of the University of Cambridge.

Biography

Willis was born in London, a grandson of Francis Willis, studied in 1822–1826 at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, from which he received his B.A., and in 1827 was ordained deacon and priest. In 1828 and 1829 he published two early papers on the mechanics of human speech, namely On vowel sounds, and on reed-organ pipes and On the Mechanism of the Larynx. In 1830 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society, from 1837–1875 he served as Jacksonian Professor of Natural Philosophy at Cambridge, and from 1853 onwards a lecturer in applied mechanics at the government school of mines. In 1843 he became a member of the Royal Archaeological Institute, in 1855 served as vice president of the Paris Exposition, and in 1862 received the Royal Gold Medal in architecture. He died of bronchitis at Cambridge where his papers are archived at the Cambridge University Library.

Wilfrid

Wilfrid (originally spelled Wilfrith;c. 633 – c. 709) was an English bishop and saint. Born a Northumbrian noble, he entered religious life as a teenager and studied at Lindisfarne, at Canterbury, in Gaul, and at Rome; he returned to Northumbria in about 660, and became the abbot of a newly founded monastery at Ripon. In 664 Wilfrid acted as spokesman for the Roman position at the Synod of Whitby, and became famous for his speech advocating that the Roman method for calculating the date of Easter should be adopted. His success prompted the king's son, Alhfrith, to appoint him Bishop of Northumbria. Wilfrid chose to be consecrated in Gaul because of the lack of what he considered to be validly consecrated bishops in England at that time. During Wilfrid's absence Alhfrith seems to have led an unsuccessful revolt against his father, Oswiu, leaving a question mark over Wilfrid's appointment as bishop. Before Wilfrid's return Oswiu had appointed Ceadda in his place, resulting in Wilfrid's retirement to Ripon for a few years following his arrival back in Northumbria.

Wilfrid II (bishop of York)

Wilfrid (II) or Wilfrith (II) (died on 29 April in either 745 or 746) also known as Wilfrid the Younger, was the last Bishop of York, as the see was converted to an archbishopric during the time of his successor. In the 10th century, two different groups claim to have taken the relics of an earlier Wilfrid from Ripon; most likely one party took those of Wilfrid the Younger. The younger Wilfrid's feast is attested in the Calendar of Winchcombe and later martyrologies, though he does not seem to have had a widespread or popular veneration.

Life

Wilfrid was a monk at Whitby and studied there when Hilda was abbess. He was consecrated abbot of the cathedral community in York during 718, and in 718 was consecrated as coadjutor bishop to John of Beverley.

Wilfrid was described as a very holy man, and interested in education. He embellished York Minster during his time, having silver vessels made for use at the altar and having the altar and the crosses covered with gold and silver leaf.