'John Christian Curwen: A Biographical Sketch'

Date(s): 1994

Scope & Content: Text of speech delivered at the AGM of the Friends of the Helena Thompson Museum, Workington. The author, a descendant of John Christian Curwen (JCC), touches on his subject's ancestry, family lineage, marriages, character, political career in Parliament and commercial career in mining, shipping and agriculture. His publication 'Hints on the Economy of feeding stock and Bettering the condition of the Poor' (1808) is described and extracts from a second edition published in 1909 are appended along with a chart showing the marital connections and lineage of the five important families in West Cumberland in the time of JCC: the Lowthers, Gales, Curwens, Christians and Senhouses.

Administration / Biographical History: John Christian (1756-1828) was a member of the influential Christian family which held estates at Unerigg (or Ewanrigg), Cumberland and Milntown, Isle of Man. Raised in Cumberland, by the age of 11 he had inherited both through force of circumstance. Married twice to Margaret Taubman at the age of 20 and later to his cousin Isabella Curwen, he took the additional surname of Curwen in 1790. JCC held office as High Sheriff and later as MP for Carlisle. Biographical information is found in the DNB supplement (1994), an obituary reprinted in the Manx Advertiser on 16 December 1828 and in Worthies of Cumberland (George Routledge and Sons, London, 1867) by Henry Lonsdale.

Language: English

Extent: 6 pages

Item name: text of speech

Collection: Manuscript Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: MS 09313

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

Comments