Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 12.djvu/145

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of his hand (South, Memorials, p. 33). He suffered from hernia early in life, but was able to keep himself perfectly free from derangement by his own method of treatment.

His life by his nephew is a most tedious performance, but includes much interesting matter, including anecdotes of Lord Liverpool and George IV.

The following is a list of Cooper's most important writings: 1. ‘Observations on the effects that take place from the Destruction of the Membrana Tympani of the Ear,’ two papers, ‘Phil. Trans.’ 1800, 1801. 2. ‘Anatomy and Surgical Treatment of Hernia,’ two parts, folio, 1804, 1807; 2nd ed. 1827. 3. ‘Surgical Essays, by A. Cooper and B. Travers,’ two parts (all published), 8vo, 1818, 1819. 4. ‘On Dislocations and Fractures of the Joints,’ 4to, 1822. 5. ‘Lectures on the Principles and Practice of Surgery, with additions by F. Tyrrell,’ 8vo, 3 vols. 1824–7; 8th ed. 12mo, 1835. 6. ‘Illustrations of Diseases of the Breast,’ part i. 4to, 1829 (no more published). 7. ‘Structure and Diseases of the Testis,’ 8vo, 1830. 8. ‘The Anatomy of the Thymus Gland,’ 4to, 1832. 9. ‘The Anatomy of the Breast,’ 4to, 1840; besides numerous articles in the ‘Medico-Chirurgical Transactions’ and medical journals, and surgical lectures published by the ‘Lancet’ in 1824–6 (see the full bibliography in Dechambre's Dict. Encyc. des Sciences Médicales, vol. xx. Paris, 1877).

[B.B. Cooper's Life, 2 vols. Lond. 1843; Quarterly Review, lxxi. 528–60; Feltoe's Memorials of J. F. South; Bettany's Eminent Doctors, i. 202–26.]

G. T. B.

COOPER, CHARLES HENRY (1808–1866), biographer and antiquary, descended from a family long settled at Bray, Berkshire, was born at Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire, on 20 March 1808, being the eldest son of Basil Henry Cooper, solicitor, by Harriet, daughter of Charles Shoppee of Uxbridge. He was educated at home until he reached his seventh year, when he was sent to a school kept by a Mr. Cannon at Reading. There he remained to the end of 1822. From an early age he evinced a passion for reading, and as his father possessed an extensive and excellent library, he was enabled to lay the foundation of that stock of historical and antiquarian learning by which in after life he was so greatly distinguished. In 1826 he settled at Cambridge, and applied himself with great diligence to the study of the law. On 1 Jan. 1836, when the Municipal Corporations Act came into operation, he was elected coroner of the borough, though he was not admitted a solicitor until four years later. In 1849 he was appointed town clerk of Cambridge, which office he held till his death. In 1851 he was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. Having an intimate acquaintance with the law and possessing great powers as an orator, he acquired an extensive practice as a solicitor. In 1855 he was engaged in the Cambridge arbitration which resulted in the Award Act of the following year, and for the learning and legal acumen displayed by him on this occasion a high compliment was passed upon him by the arbitrator, Sir John Patteson.

His claim to remembrance is, however, mainly founded upon his elaborate works relating to the history and topography of Cambridge and the biography of distinguished members of the university. The first production of his pen was ‘A New Guide to the University and Town of Cambridge,’ which was published anonymously in 1831. It is superior to most works of its class, the descriptions of the architecture of the various buildings being very excellent. In 1842 the first volume appeared of the ‘Annals of Cambridge,’ which was followed by three other volumes, dated respectively 1843, 1845, and 1852, and by a portion of a fifth (pp. 1–128) in 1853. This work is arranged chronologically, and contains an account of all matters relating to the university and town from the fabulous times of Cantaber and King Cassibelan down to the close of the year 1853. It was brought out in parts by subscription and amid great difficulties. Many of the academical authorities were much averse to its publication, as they entertained a wholly unfounded idea that it would in some way tend to deprive the university of its ancient privileges. In 1858 the first volume appeared of a work more ambitious in its plan and relating to a subject more widely interesting. This was the ‘Athenæ Cantabrigienses,’ written conjointly by Cooper and his eldest son, Thompson Cooper, F.S.A. The idea of the book was suggested by the famous ‘Athenæ Oxonienses’ of Anthony à Wood. It contains carefully written memoirs of the worthies who received their education or were incorporated at Cambridge, and, like the companion work of Wood, is arranged in chronological order according to the date of death. The first volume embraces 1500–85, and the second, published in 1861, extends to 1609. A portion of a third volume, extending to 1611, was printed but not published, though most of the memoirs in this unfinished volume were afterwards reproduced in Thompson Cooper's ‘Biographical Dictionary.’ Like the ‘Annals,’ this work, which is universally admitted to be a valuable addition to our biographical