A museum group welcomed a speaker to their latest meeting to discuss a notable historical figure.
The Friends of the Museum of Somerset invited John Young to their July meeting to discuss Thomas Young (1773-1829), a remarkable figure in various fields.
Thomas Young, no relation to the speaker, was born in North Street, Milverton, and was the eldest of ten children born to Quaker parents.
A plaque now marks his birthplace, celebrating his contributions to optical science, engineering, and Egyptology.
Demonstrating exceptional intelligence from an early age, Young could read by the age of two and had read the Bible twice by the age of four.
Rather than following a traditional education path, he worked as a tutor to the son of David Barclay of Youngsbury, becoming fluent in multiple languages by the age of 14.
He later qualified as a doctor of medicine from the University of Gottingen in 1796.
In 1800, Young was appointed as a Professor of Natural Philosophy at the Royal Society, where he delivered 91 lectures on diverse topics, one of which identified astigmatism for the first time.
However, not particularly fond of lecturing, he resigned after two years, taking up the role of Foreign Secretary to the Royal Society in 1802, a position he held for the rest of his life.
While practising medicine in Worthing by 1809, and later at St. George’s Hospital, Young's curiosity led him to explore Egyptian hieroglyphics in 1814.
Examining the recently discovered Rosetta Stone, he laid the groundwork for its translation.
Young also contributed to the standardisation of the Imperial gallon through the Weights and Measures Act in 1824.
From 1818 to 1829, he served on the Nautical Almanac and Board of Longitude, as well as various organisations in America, France, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
In 1819, he penned an article on languages for the Encyclopaedia Britannica, which despite causing controversy, led to the recognition of the Indo-European language family.
Young passed away in 1829 and is buried in Farnborough, Kent, with a commemorative plaque in Westminster Abbey.
A true polymath, his extensive knowledge and discoveries have earned him the title of “The Last Man Who Knew Everything,” a nod to his enduring influence across multiple fields.
The Friends of the Museum of Somerset will hold their next talk on Tuesday, August 18, at 7.30 pm, when Stephen Morgan will present Tales from the West Somerset Railway.
Those interested in attending should email contact@fotmos.org.uk.
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