Gregory, John, 1938-

Epithet: Alderman of Leicester

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000982.0x00031c

John Gregory was born in Bideford, Devon in 1831 and died in 1922. The son of a Wesleyan lay preacher, he settled in Bristol after spending some time in Wales. By trade a shoemaker, he was an active member of the Labour movement for his whole life. He was a free-thinker, humanitarian, and an open-minded philosopher. He wrote poetry from a very early age on a variety of subjects, but was not published until he was 40. His poetry was regularly published in various Bristol newspapers, and in volumes such as Idylls of Labour (1871), Murmurs and Melodies (1885) and My Garden and Other Poems (1907). He received an honorary MA from the University of Bristol in 1912. He became leader of the Organising Committee of the Bristol Socialist Society in 1885, and was a staunch advocate of freedom of speech. His son, Richard Gregory, was knighted for his services to science, particularly in the field of astronomy.

From the guide to the Papers of John Gregory, 1877-1931, (University of Bristol Special Collections)

Epithet: of Hordley

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000982.0x000324

Epithet: Chief Justice of Jamaica

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000982.0x00031f

Epithet: brewer, of Southwark

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000982.0x00031d

John Gregory served as a warrant officer (engineer 1st class) in HMS Erebus on the British Naval Northwest Passage Expedition, 1845-1848 (leader Sir John Franklin), sent to search for a Northwest Passage beyond Lancaster Sound and Barrow Strait in the unexplored region south-west of Barrow Strait. Sailing from London in company with HMS Terror in May 1845, the expedition was last seen heading for Lancaster Sound by two whalers in northern Baffin Bay in late July 1845. The two vessels became beset north of King William Island, where they spent two winters (1846-1848). Franklin died on 11 June 1847 and the command had devolved on Francis Crozier. Abandoning the two vessels on 22 April 1848, the 105 survivors led by Crozier set out toward Back River. All perished during the journey.

From the guide to the John Gregory collection, 1845, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)

Epithet: Lieutenant; RN

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000982.0x000321