Robert Dukinfield Darbishire (1826–1908) was a prominent Manchester lawyer and philanthropist.
Robert Dukinfield Darbishire | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1826 |
| Died | 1908 |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of London |
| Occupations | |
Biography
editRobert Dukinfield Darbishire's father, Samuel Dukinfield Darbishire (1799-1870), was a founder of Manchester Athenaeum and Manchester New College.[1] Darbishire was a lay student for four years and worked for his father's law office. He graduated from the University of London in 1845.[2]
He was elected to the membership of Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society on 19.April 1853 [3] and to President in 1886
A prominent Unitarian layman, he worshipped at Cross Street Chapel. In 1857, he became the lay secretary of the Manchester College, and served for 37 years, including 22 years with his friend Charles Beard.[2]. He was a trustee of the Unitarian -inspired Hibbert Trust from 1874 to 1903.
Darbishire was instrumental in setting up the Whitworth Art Gallery[4][5] and was a founding member of the Manchester High School for Girls.[6]
Philanthropy
editDarbishire left money in his will to found the Darbishire House Health Centre, which paved the way for a number of organisations, including the Robert Darbishire Practice, the University of Manchester Department of General Practice and the Centre for Primary Care Research (later the National Primary Care Research and Development Centre).
Darbishire was one of the first major donors to the Manchester Museum, giving over 700 items to their collection from 1904 onwards. He was part of a Manchester network of acquirers who would buy many artifacts and then donate them to the city's institutions.[7]
Darbishire was a particular advocate of women's right to education.[8] He was an important figure in the refoundation or 'extension' of Owens College (forerunner of the University of Manchester), but resigned from its Council when he failed to persuade it to admit women in 1875. He was co-founder of its first women's hall, Ashburne Hall, in 1900.[9][10]
Art collection
edit- Wedgwood Manufactory's copy of the Portland Vase[11]
References
edit- ^ Morris, Edward (2001). Public Art Collections in North-west England: A History and Guide. Liverpool University Press. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-85323-527-9.
- ^ a b V.D. David (1932). "A history of Manchester College" (PDF).
- ^ { https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/74442#page/27/mode/1up
- ^ Pickstone, John V. (1985). Medicine and Industrial Society: A History of Hospital Development in Manchester and Its Region, 1752-1946. Manchester University Press. ISBN 978-0-7190-1809-1. p 193.
- ^ "History of Whitworth Park and Gallery". Friendsofwhitworthpark.org.uk. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ^ "MARKING FOUNDERS' DAY". Manchester High School For Girls.
- ^ Samuel J. M. M. Alberti (15 October 2009). Nature and Culture: Objects, Disciplines and the Manchester Museum. Oxford University Press. pp. 94–95. ISBN 9780719081149.
- ^ Goodman, Joyce; Harrop, Sylvia (2002). Women, Educational Policy-Making and Administration in England: Authoritative Women Since 1800. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-1346-3969-4. p 42.
- ^ Jones, HS (2024). "The Owens College Extension of 1870-3: Rethinking the Origins of the Civic University Tradition in England". Bulletin of the John Rylands Library. 100 (2): 53–74.
- ^ Jones, HS (2025). Liberal Worlds: James Bryce and the Democratic Intellect. Oxford and Princeton: Princeton University Press. p. 91. ISBN 9780691180113.
- ^ "Copy of the Portland Vase". Mfa.org. Retrieved 30 January 2019.