Robert Tucker (buried 1905)

At a glance

At a glance
Robert Tucker (buried 1905)
Surname: 
Tucker
First name: 
Robert
Other Christian names: 
Gender: 
Male
Burial number: 
455
Born: 
26/4/1832
Died: 
29/01/1905
Buried: 
03/02/1905
Occupation: 
Teacher of Mathematics
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
SWS
Cemetery row: 
5
Cemetery plot: 
14
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/leave.nods.share
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of Robert Tucker who died January 29th 1905 aged 72 years "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" John Vl.47. Also Gertrude Muriel daughter of the above who died May 14th 1926. Also Elizabeth his wife who died Dec 11th 1926 "In sure and certain hope"

Life story

Life story

Robert Tucker was born in Walworth, and baptised on 26th April 1832 at St. Mary's, Newington, London. His father was Robert Tucker, gentleman, and his mother, Fanny. Robert was privately educated in Newport, Isle of Wight, Lancing College, and finally Cambridge University, where he entered St. John's College, in 1851, graduating with a B.A. in 1854 and M.A. in 1859. He taught mathematics in several prestigious schools and university colleges, including, Windlesham, Bagshot, Brighton College and London University.

Robert was highly regarded in the world of mathematical education, being Honorary Secretary of the London Mathematical Society for thirty years. He was an avid collector of photographs of mathematicians connected with the London Mathematical Society and his collection, now called the 'Tucker Collection', is kept in the archives in De Morgan House in London.

On 4th April 1866, aged 33yrs, Robert married Elizabeth Byles, 22yrs, at Freshwater, Isle of Wight. They had 5 children, Maud Elaine, 1867, Edith Marion, 1870, Ernest Charles, 1871, and Gertrude Muriel, 1873. The family lived in London until Robert was nearly 70yrs, and when he retired, they moved to Worthing, living at Middleton, Rowlands Road, with their 2 unmarried daughters, Maud and Gertrude. When he left London for Worthing in 1902, he was obliged to sell his fine mathematical library, and it was reported that the necessity of parting with it affected him deeply.

Robert Tucker died on 25th January 1905, aged 72yrs, probate was granted to his widow, effects £1506 17s 9d. Value 2021 £184K.

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
26/04/1832
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Elizabeth
Spouse one last name: 
Byles
Marriage one date: 
04/04/1866
Marriage one address: 
Isle of Wight, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
29/01/1905
Age (at time of death): 
72
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Middleton, Rowlands Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Elizabeth Tucker status: Widow
Probate pounds: 
£1,506

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1851 census: 

Charterhouse School, Middlesex. Richard Tucker, 60yrs, Officer on half pay, 2 nephews, Frederick Jacobs, 19yrs, and Robert Tucker, 18yrs, plus 1 domestic servant.

1871 census: 

Living at 115, Prince of Wales Road, St. Pancras. Robert 38yrs, MA Cambs. Mathematics Master, University College School, wife, Elizabeth, 27, 3 children, Maud E. 4, Edith M. 1, Ernest C. 4months, plus 2 domestic servants.

1881 census: 

Living at 27, Cantelowes Road, St. Pancras. Robert Tucker, 48yrs, Teacher, wife, Elizabeth, 38yrs, 3 children, Maud E. 14, Edith M. 11, Gertrude M. 8, plus 1 domestic servant.

1891 census: 

Living at 24, Hillmaster Road, Islington, Robert Tucker, 58yrs, Mathematics Tutor, wife, Elizabeth, 47yrs, 3 children, Maud E. 24, Edith M. 20, Gertrude M. 18, Jane Byles, 77, widow, living on own means, visitor, Ethel S. Plumley, 20, plus 1 domestic servant.

1901 census: 

Living at 24, Hillmaster Road, Islington, Robert Tucker, 68yrs, Mathematics Examiner, wife, Elizabeth, 47yrs, daughter, Maud Elaine, 34yrs, plus 1 domestic servant.

Miscellaneous information

Robert Tucker - Son of Robert Tucker and Fanny Tucker

Fanny's maiden name was Tucker, the same as her married name, Robert and Fanny being second cousins. Robert Tucker Sr. was in the Army, an occupation that many of the Tucker family followed. He served in the Peninsula War (1808-14) in Spain and Portugal under Arthur Wellesley, afterward Duke of Wellington, fighting against Napoleon and his allies. However, Robert Tucker Sr. died when Robert, the subject of this biography, was still an infant.

Robert attended school in Newport before going to Woodard School at New Shoreham. The head of this latter school was Henry Jacobs, a cousin of Robert Tucker, who gave him much encouragement and support. Robert was encouraged to sit the examinations to win a sizarship at St John's College, Cambridge, and although he was unsuccessful at his first attempt, he tried successfully in the following year. He matriculated at St John's College in 1851 and began a successful undergraduate career. He won a Foundation Scholarship in 1854 and was a Wrangler (First Class) in the Mathematical Tripos examinations of 1855 (although quite far down the ranked list). Following this, Tucker remained at Cambridge studying Hebrew and Moral Philosophy before taking up an appointment as a mathematics teacher

NB. At Cambridge, a sizar was originally an undergraduate student who financed his studies by undertaking more or less menial tasks within his college but, as time went on, was increasingly likely to receive small grants from the college.