Cecil, William (1819-1826)

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In VENN
Adm. sizar at TRINITY, July 12, 1809. S. of Richard (1790), clerk, of London.] School, Chobham (Mr Jeram). ' Matric. Michs. 1809. Migrated (age 17) to Magdalene, Mar. 7, 1810; Bell Scholar, 1811; Exhibitioner; B.A. (17th Wrangler) 1814; M.A. 1817. Fellow of Magdalene, 1814. Ord. deacon, 1819; priest (Norwich) June 11, 1820; C. of Longstowe, Cambs. R. of St Michael's, Long Stanton, 1823-82. Keenly interested in mechanical science; regarded as the inventor of the internal combustion engine. Made known his theory in a paper read before the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Nov. 27, 1820, entitled, ‘On the Application of Hydrogen Gas to produce a moving power in machinery, with a description of an engine which is moved by the pressure of the Atmosphere upon a Vacuum caused by explosions of Hydrogen Gas and Atmospheric Air’ (Transactions, I. 218). Another interesting article from his pen appeared in the Transactions, Dec. 9, 1822, ‘on an Apparatus for grinding telescopes, mirrors and object lenses.’ Said to have erected a machine in one of the trees of his garden, designed to pull out his parishioners' teeth. Addressed a solemn Appeal to the Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese of Ely on ‘the Disorder and Profaneness exhibited at the Parish Church of St Michael's on the occasion of the Confirmation held there, June 20, 1833’–a spirited protest giving a lurid picture of the Church life of his day. In spite of his noteworthy contribution to mechanical science, etc., he finds no place in the D.N.B.; The Times obituary also omits all mention of his mechanical work. Author, The Church Choir Hymn Book; A Course of Instruction to those about to be confirmed; Spanish metres illustrated in Music and English Verse. Died Feb. 10, 1882, aged 89. Buried at Long Stanton. Brother of Jesaiah (1800). (Boase; A. B. Ramsey; The Times, Feb. 15, 1882; Magdalene Coll. Mag., 1909; S. Gaselee, The Sunday Times, Feb. 15, 1936.)

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