Phrenological report entitled "Phrenological manipulation", showing the "cerebral development of Miss Hunt", 1841
Scope and Contents
This is a detailed phrenological report, handwritten on a printed form entitled "Phrenological Manipulation", showing the "cerebral development" of a Miss Hunt. The form is divided in sections headed "Measurements spherical", "Measurements by Callipers", "Regions of the Brain", and "Development of Individual Organs", followed by a lengthy handwritten text starting with: "There is considerable intellectual power indicated by this development, but combined with the temperament I fear that there is a sad want of energy to bring out the power given..."
The phrenologist has not been identified, but the place appears to read Torquay, and phrenologists and other pseudoscientific practitioners often targeted visitors to resorts. It bears a pencil note reading "My mother F.L.R." by Frederick Rawlins, a member of the Champion/Rawlins Quaker family from Bristol.
Dates
- Creation: 1841
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
Open. Please contact the repository in advance.
Full Extent
1 item : bifolium ; 34 cm x 20 cm
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased in May 2026. Accession no. SC-Acc-2026-0075.
Physical Description
Folio, bifolium. Printed and manuscript. Slight staining, folds.
Processing Information
Catalogued by Aline Brodin in July 2026, using information supplied by the seller.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk