Charles Kingsley's Life in Devon

Charles Kingsley was born on June 12, 1819, in Holne, Devon. He was the second son of the Reverend Charles Kingsley and his wife Mary. Henry Kingsley, his brother, became a novelist as did Charles himself. His childhood was spent in Clovelly, Devon and Barnack, Northamptonshire. He received his beginnings of education at Helston Grammar School. He went on to King's College London and the University of Cambridge in his young adulthood. In 1838, Charles began attending Magdalene College in Cambridge. He graduated from there in 1842. In 1839 he met and fell in love with Frances ‘Fanny' Grenfell in Braziers park. They married in 1844. Though he originally was striving to build his career in the legal profession, he ended up choosing to pursue a ministry in the church instead. From 1844, he was rector of Eversley in Hampshire, then in 1869, he received the appointment of Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge. Of not is that he tutored the Prince of Wales who was the future King Edward the VII.

Charles Kingsley was described as a tall and spare, rather sinewy man that appeared powerful and had a restless and somewhat excitable temperament. His complexion is said to have been swarthy and his hair dark. His eyes were bright and piercing and he was said to have a flash temper that could rage pretty hot. He kept his temper under strict control and so was also said to be tender, gentle and loving. He was perfectly capable of showing scorn and indignation against all he considered ignoble and impure. He is said to have been a good husband, father and friend. One of his daughters Mary St Leger Kingsley otherwise known as Mrs Harrison became a very well known novelist using the pseudonym Lucas Malet.

In 1869 Charles resigned from his professorship and was a canon of Chester Cathedral from 1870 to 1873. He founded the Chester Society for Natural Science, Literature and art which was an integral part of the establishment of the Grosvenor Museum. In 1872 we was offered and accepted the presidency of the Birmingham and Midland Institute, he took his place as the 19th president. In 1875, Charles Kingsley passed away in 1875 and was buried in St Marry's Churchyard in Eversley.

Kingsley was a prolific writer in many different venues. His keen interest in history shows in his 1856 writing known as The Heroes. He also authored a children's book about Greek mythology, and many historical novels. His best known historical novels were Hypatia, written in 1853, Hereward the Wake, written in 1865 and Westward Ho, written in 1855. He also showed his concern for social reform in his classic novel The Water-Babies which was written in 1863. This was sort of a fairytale about a young boy who was a chimney-sweep. This novel continued in popularity all the way into the 20th century. This was a very interesting book in that he addresses Charles Darwin's theory on the Origin of Species. He was one that is open to the idea of evolution and was one of the first to step up in praise of Darwin's creation. He had received an advance review copy of the work and in his response on November 18, 1859, he stated that he had "long since, from watching the crossing of domesticated animals and plants, learnt to disbelieve the dogma of the permanence of species." This statement was given just four days before the book went on sale. On the next edition of Darwins book, he added Kingsley's closing remarks.

Of note, Charles Kingsley's novel Westward Ho! led to a founding of a town of that same name. This is the only location name in England that uses an exclamation mark in the title. It also inspired the construction of a railway called the Bideford, Westward Ho! And Appledore Railway. Few authors can claim to have such a strong effect on an area.

Written by Tom Sangers on behalf of Brixham Holiday Park, a Devon caravan park and Devon holiday park.