Park Terrace, CambridgeBy John Sutton, via Geograph

Professor Robert Willis

A picture of the Professor Willis Here
Professor Robert Willis

Born 27 January 1800 at Marylebone, illegitimate son of Robert Darling Willis, and died at Cambridge 28 February 1875; his will. Residing at Petersfield House near Parker's Piece in Cambridge in 1851, at 23 York terrace, St Marylebone in 1861, and then at 5 Park Terrace, Cambridge (which had been built by his Father in Law). B.A. from Caius College (9th wrangler) in 1826, and then elected a fellow (he had to resign when he got married). Ordained deacon 1827 and priest 4 November 1827. M.A. 1829.

Jacksonian Professor of Natural Philosophy at Cambridge University from 1837 - 1875, and subject of a DNB entry, a proper biography and a Wikipedia article. He is regarded as one of the pioneers in this country of both mechanical engineering and architectural history; here is his obituary from the Institute of Civil Engineers. Author, before he went to University, of An Attempt to Analyse the Automaton Chess Player, of Mr. de Kempelen, On the Vowel Sounds, and On Reed Organ-Pipes, and Principles of Mechanism, amongst other things; here is a list of his work up to 1870.

Married at Cambridge 26 July 1832 to Mary Ann (Marianne) Humfrey. She was baptised at St Andrew-the-Great, Cambridge, on 18 Jun 1805, daughter of Charles Humfrey of Downing College, an architect who built parts of Cambridge and who was later Mayor. Died 19 September 1871.

DIED. On the 19th ult., at 23, York-terrace, Regents-park, aged 65, Mary Ann, wife of Robt. Willis, Jacksonian Professor of the University of Cambridge. Bury and Norwich Post, Tuesday 03 October 1871, p7

Just published, price 2s. 6d. SCIENCE applied to the Washing of Linen, and its effects upon Health. By the Wife of the Rev. ROBERT WILLIS, Jacksonian Professor in the University of Cambridge, being a Sequel to her "Short Sketch on the Modern Art of Washing." L. BOOTH, 307, Regent-street, London, W. T. DIXON, 9, Market-street, Cambridge. Cambridge Chronicle and Journal, Saturday 20 November 1869, p1

Issue seven sons and two daughters:

  1. Emily Willis, born in Cambridge in 1833, and baptised at St. Andrew-the-Great 30 October 1833. Buried there 3 June 1836.

  2. Robert Francis Willis, born 18 September 1834.

  3. Charles Whewell Willis, born 18 October 1835.

  4. Frederic Willis, born 27 January 1837.

  5. Edward Romilly Willis, born 1 May 1838.

  6. Margaret Elizabeth Willis, born 10 August 1839, and baptised at St. Andrew-the-Great 15 March 1840. Lived with her husband in Cambridge, initially at 4 Bene't Place and then 4 Harvey Road, and died 14 March 1911.

    Married at St Marylebone 13 June 1861 to William Henry Besant, F.R.S. He was born 1 November 1828 at Portsea in Hampshire, and died 2 June 1917 in Cambridge. Issue 4 sons and three daughters. He was a noted mathematical tutor.

    MARRIAGES. Besant—Willis—On the 13th instant, at St. Marylebone Church, London (by the Rev. Robert Francis Willis, brother of the bride, assisted by the Rev. J. P. Garrick), William Henry Besant, Esq., late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, to Margaret Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Robert Willis, Jacksonian Professor in the University of Cambridge, of 23, York Terrace, Regent's Park, London. Cambridge Independent Press, Saturday 22 June 1861, p8

  7. Arthur Willis, born 30 October 1840, and baptised at St. Andrew-the-Great 28 November 1841.

  8. Henry Willis, born 4 May 1842, and baptised at St. Andrew-the-Great 2 June 1842. Buried there 13 October 1842.

  9. Alan Willis, born 1 December 1843.