| Description | /1 Manuscript letter from Bertram Windle [Bertram Coghill Alan Windle, 1858-1929, anatomist and anthropologist] to [Oliver] Lodge, written from Weatherbury, Wentworth Road, Harborne, 9 February 1902. Windle asks for a copy of a recent address Lodge gave [likely the address he gave on 31 January 1902 as president of the Society for Psychical Research], and conveys his interest in the content of the address - highlighting the similarities between Lodge's comments on the 'disembodied spirit' and Catholic philosophical views of the soul.
/2 Typescript letter to 'Principal' from Bertram Windle, written from the University of Birmingham, Faculty of Medicine, 20 February 1903. Windle complains to Lodge that he is upset and irritated by a circular [message] which the recipient [Lodge] had sent to university staff that morning, in response to a story published in a student journal, which Windle believes is 'idle and irresponsible tittle-tattle'. He adds that he believes student attitude towards staff is worse than he has ever known it, and that something must be done to restore order at the university.
/3 Manuscript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge , written from Weatherbury, Wentworth Road, Harborne, 9 May 1903. Windle thanks Lodge for writing to him last night, after he [Windle] had to leave a discussion in which he was very interested, because he was too ill. Windle writes that he has been told by his doctor that he must reduce his workload, and specifies that he would prefer to give up 'the B'ham [Birmingham] Education [Committee]' and 'stick to the School of Art' and 'the library', but that he believes this to be impractical, and is evidently unhappy with this. The letter is marked 'private' by Windle.
/4 Manuscript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from Maids Cross, Solihull, 7 February 1904. Windle writes that he was sorry to hear that Lodge has been unwell, and hopes he will be well again soon. He also reassures him that he should not be disappointed with his recent lecture [likely 'Lectures to Medical Practitioners [sic] on Physics Applied to Medicine'], and writes with praise about the 'remarkable' audience.
/5 Manuscript letter from Bertram Windle [unsigned] to Oliver Lodge, written from the Royal Societies Club, St James's Street, London, 26 March 1904. Windle informs Lodge that he is aware that rumours have circulated about him [Windle], suggesting that he would not regret leaving Birmingham or his colleagues - which has offended several people. He assures Lodge he would in fact deeply regret to leave friends in Birmingham, and hopes that his misspeaking will not sever their personal connection. The writing stops abruptly, and Windle adds a note that suggests Lodge was instructed to tear the next part of the letter off – which he appears to have done.
/6 Typescript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from Maids Cross, Solihull, 28 August 1904. Windle asks Lodge's advice on whether he should reapply for the position of President of Queen's College, Cork [Ireland], as the incumbent [Sir Rowland] Blennerhassett has resigned. Windle also asks Lodge to utilise his friendship with G. [George] Wyndham [then Chief Secretary for Ireland] to assertain whether the position is already earmarked for someone, or if it would be worth Windle applying.
/7 Typescript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from Maids Cross, Solihull, 30 August 1904. Windle repeats his request to Lodge to approach [George] Wyndham about Windle being considered for the presidency at Queen's College, Cork. He asks Lodge to put in a good word for him with Wyndham, and highlights that he is attracted to the stability of the position, as well as the pension, and the Catholic society it would bring for his daughters. Windle apologises for disturbing Lodge whilst he is on holiday in Woolacombe [Devon].
/8 Typescript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from Maids Cross, Solihull, 1 September 1904. Windle thanks Lodge for his promise to write to [George] Wyndham to recommend him for the presidency position at Queen's College, and asks Lodge's advice on whether he should definitely apply. He describes himself to be 'in such a state of unsettlement in this matter'. Windle sets out his reasons for considering the position - writing that although the salaries are much the same, he is concerned about the future prospects of the University of Birmingham medical school, and that his position on the General Medical Council may be rotated away from him next year, reducing his income. Windle also considers that his Catholic religion would be less of a barrier to him in Ireland than in England.
/9 Manuscript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from Maids Cross, Solihull, 4 September 1904. Windle thanks Lodge for his kind letter, and explains that he is still undecided about the job opportunity in Cork. He feels that before he can make his decision, he must set up a conversation with someone from the 'Irish Office' to establish whether or not he would practically be considered as a candidate, and that the job has not already been promised to someone else. He restates his reasons for considering the Cork position - namely pension allowance, and his reasons for wanting to leave Birmingham - primarily, his concerns over the financial situation of the University medical department.
/10 Manuscript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge , written from the Royal Societies Club, St James's Street, London, 10 October 1904. Windle tells Lodge that he has heard from Percy Wyndham that he [Windle] has been appointed President of Queens College Cork, and that he has arranged with G. W. [George Wyndham] to remain in Birmingham until December. Windle also writes that he is keen to discuss the appointment of the successor to his present post with Lodge, and thanks him for the trouble he went to in helping him [secure the position].
/11 Manuscript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from Maids Cross, Solihull, 22 October 1904. Windle writes that he is distressed to have heard a rumour that he and Lodge have had a large disagreement, resulting in Windle leaving Birmingham. He tells Lodge that he would like them to openly dispute the rumour. Windle also writes that he hopes Lodge would 'give that reeking heap of infamy Ray Lankester one in the eye'.
/12 Typescript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from the University of Birmingham, Faculty of Medicine, 28 October 1904. Windle writes that he encloses two copies of his report, and thanks Lodge for proposing to host a dinner in his honour before he leaves for his new position in Cork on 13 December. [This is Windle's last letter to Lodge whilst still living and working in Birmingham].
/13 Manuscript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from Queen's College, Cork, Ireland, 21 February 1905. Windle thanks Lodge for his letter, and writes that he will enclose a newspaper containing an address he [Windle] recently gave which has attracted a lot of attention - including the attention of Sir Horace Plunkett [Head of the Agricultural and Technical Instruction Board], who plans to visit Windle to discuss further. Windle comments on how he is finding living and working in Cork and at the University, and also alludes to [George] Wyndham receiving criticism in The Times, and rumours circulating about a disagreement between him and [Antony] MacDonnell [Under Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland]. Finally, Windle writes that he hopes Lodge will come and give a lecture in Ireland soon.
/14 Manuscript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from Queen's College, Cork, Ireland, 11 March 1905. Windle writes to ask Lodge if he could introduce him to John Morley, as he [Windle] would like to discuss with Morley some educational matters concerning Ireland, particularly following the resignation of G. W. [George Wyndham, Chief Secretary for Ireland]. Windle discusses Wyndham's resignation and the ongoing disagreements within the Unionist government about Irish Home Rule. Windle also tells Lodge he is starting a training department for secondary teachers in the Autumn, which he is pleased that a number of women will be joining.
/15 Manuscript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from Queen's College, Cork, Ireland, 3 January 1905. Windle explains that [John] Humphreys has asked him to write to Lodge to support the erection of a new Dental Hospital, as he beleives the present building is deterring students from attending the Dental School.
/16 Manuscript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from University College, Cork, Ireland, 22 September 1913. Windle sends Lodge a copy of an article he wrote on an address of Lodge's which he enjoyed [likely the Presidential Address to the British Association: 'Continuity', on 11 September 1913]. Windle also writes that he has been reading G. [George] Wyndham's letters with a view to selecting some for his brother [Guy Percy Wyndham published 'The Life and Letters of George Wyndham' after his brother's death in June 1913]. Windle is reminded that his connection to Wyndham is through Lodge, and thanks him for this.
/17 Copy of typescript letter [from Oliver Lodge] to Bertram Windle, 9 May 1927. Lodge discusses the complexities of understanding Quantum and Relativity, and recommends some books for Windle to read which discuss these topics. These include those by Bertrand Russell, J. W. N. Sullivan, Albert Einstein, and papers Lodge himself has delivered or published.
/18 Typescript letter from Bertram Windle to Oliver Lodge, written from 48 Roselawn Avenue, Toronto, Canada, 20 May 1927. Windle replies to Lodge's last letter, thanking him for providing recommendations of books about Quantum and Relativity, and for enclosing some small books by Lodge himself on the topics. Windle also writes again about the Morley-Michelson experiments, and [Dayton] Miller's new findings relating to these. He thanks Lodge for sending him several of his 'radio talks', and in exchange, sends Lodge some of his own talks [not included], concerning the Catholic viewpoints on these experiments and related topics, such as Relativity and Quantum.
/19 Copy of typescript letter [from Oliver Lodge] to Bertram Windle, 6 June 1927. Lodge writes that he will be interested to read about Windle's four talks on 'Evolution from the Catholic Point of View'. He also reassures Windle that [Dayton] Miller's repetitions of the Michelson-Morley experiments in light do not overthrow the original findings, and that the Michelson-Morley experiments themselves are not the 'foundation of Relativity'. Einstein's findings on Relativity are also mentioned by Lodge, as well as less contemporary research such as Bradleys' Aberration, the Doppler Shift, and that of Fizeau and Faraday. Lodge comments that all electric and magnetic experiments are essentially 'experiments on the ether'.
/20 Undated manuscript letter from Bertram Windle [unaddressed], written from the Royal Societies Club, St James's Street, London. Latter part of a letter, with the first part not present. Windle wishes to discuss something with Lodge, but is detained at a meeting of the council [likely the General Medical Council] which he expects to last some time, as there are difficult topics of discussion. Windle also tells Lodge that he has dined with James Hope and his brother-in-law Wilfrid Ward, both of whom Lodge knows. Ward is visiting Birmingham next week, and Windle wants to arrange lunch at 'the Club' with him and Lodge. |