Wilfred Hammerton Antrobus Cowell

A carte-de-visite portrait of Master Wilfred H. A. Cowell (1856-1937).

Wilfred Hammerton Antrobus Cowell was born on 2 October 1856, the first son of Thomas William Cowell and Frances Ann Antrobus. According to the 1861 census, his father was a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in General Practice. At the time of the census, the family were living at 112 Piccadilly, London. Thomas Cowell died on 29 July 1869 leaving Frances with five daughters and three sons to raise. Another son was born eight months after his death.

Wilfred was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, graduating with an MA in Classics in 1882. He had already joined the staff at St Edward's School in Oxford in 1880. A great polymath with a fine reputation, he stayed there until his death, serving as school librarian and editor of the school newspaper and director of school plays. He died unmarried on 5 September 1937, aged 80, leaving an estate valued at £14,283.

Photographed by Camille Silvy of London on 1 August 1861.