School Boy Atlas Drawn by An Interesting Irish Classics Scholar
Unusual school boy atlas, drawn by noted Irish classics scholar Hastings Crossley as a 12 year old student in Bonn, March - May [18]58 (and gifted to Miss Francis Irwin).
The maker, Hastings Crossley, would go on to become a well-regarded scholar. The recipient, Miss Francis Irwin, is likely in actuality Crossley's brother Francis, with the last name Irwin being that of their mother (Elizabeth Helen Crossley (née Irwin)).
The atlas includes 24 maps, including a world map, 5 maps of the continents, 14 maps of European countries and regions, 3 asian regional maps and a map of the United States.
The atlas is quite unusual for a student production, as it includes a remarkable amount of wash color. The maps are well executed, but the color is definitely the main event, along with an elegant style of topographical shading employed on the mountains (see for example Switzerland map).
The map of North America is somewhat scrambled, with Mexico still holding Texas and Upper California, but the names of several early Western Territories are shown, as is New Albion in Oregon Territory, which runs up into the yet to be named British Columbia. A clear open Northwest passage is also shown, with the atlas dated shortly after the discovery of the passage.
The United States is shown with all the newly formed territories up to Kanzas, other than the absence of Nebraska Territory, a curious omission. While filled with curious choices and spelling errors, it is an interesting rendering of the states and territories.
(Thomas) Hastings (Henry) Crossley was a distinguished classical scholar born on August 1, 1846, to Major Francis Crossley, an officer of the East India Company and governor of the Andaman Islands in 1815, and Elizabeth Helen Crossley (née Irwin). Growing up in a family with strong ties to both military and intellectual pursuits, Crossley's early life in Glenburn, County Antrim (Ireland), and later in Anagola, County Armagh, set the stage for his remarkable academic journey.
Educated initially at Bonn, Germany, alongside his brothers, Crossley continued his studies at the Royal School, Dungannon, County Tyrone. His academic prowess became evident during his time at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), where, in 1865, he was awarded the royal exhibition and a university scholarship. Graduating in1869, he was honored with the first gold medal in classics, the second gold medal in philosophy, and the senior moderatorship. Further accolades followed, including the Berkeley medal and, in 1871, the degree of MA honoris causa.
Crossley married Emily Agnes in 1883, daughter of Frederick Chidley Irwin, an Irish-born governor of Western Australia.
Crossley's commitment to classical scholarship led him to academic positions of note; he served as deputy professor of Latin at Queen's College Belfast (QCB) from 1875 to 1876 and as professor of classics at University College, Bristol, from 1876 to 1878. His tenure as professor of Greek at QCB began in 1878, a position he held with distinction until his retirement in 1889. Throughout his career, Crossley was actively involved with the Royal University, serving as a fellow and classical examiner, and received an honorary Litt.D. from Queen's University Belfast.
Publications:
Hastings Crossley's scholarly output, particularly his work on the classics, is exemplified by his edition and translation of a significant classical text:
- Translation of the Fourth Book of Marcus Aurelius (1882): Crossley's most renowned work, this translation of the Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, showcases his deep engagement with Stoic philosophy and his ability to render ancient texts accessible to a modern audience.