Professor of the Violin c. 1830

[Burto]

Hi,
My GGGGrandfather, Joseph Swift is stated on his marriage certificate as being a professor of the violin, and on the census as a musician. He moved from Shepshed in Leicestershire to Nottingham. I was just wondering if any records exist for music teachers in Nottingham around 1830-1850, and if anyone knows who they would teach, and what training they would need to become a "professor"
Thanks for your time.

[suttontrust]

I doubt that Professor had the meaning it has today.  He would probably have done private tuition, and the title signified teacher.

[Manchester Rambler]

I agree with Suttontrust - I also have a relative who is usually described on census and in street directories as "musician" or "cornet player", but occasionally called a "professor of music" - notably on daughter's birth certificate.  Although it might mean a formal teaching post in a school, I think it's more likely to be a case of supplementing an uncertain income by giving lessons when the possibility arises.

MR

[Burto]

Thanks for that.

[Burto]

Hi,
I've just had a look on a website on the travellers section regarding census entries for performers and many of them are listed as "musician" or "professor of" the instrument they played. Would a professor of the violin have been a typical traveller occupation? I am struggling to trace his family from Shepshed and there was a boxer in the family too. I don't want to stereotype, but it's made me wonder if he was from a travelling family?

[Gillg]

My great-grandfather was recorded as "Professor of Music" on the 1861 census.  I'm quite sure he wouldn't have trained anywhere, because he would not have had the money to do so.  He learned to play the oboe while working in a woollen mill, became so good at it that he gave lessons to others, and eventually found that this became a full-time career.  He also played the piano and organ, and later opened a shop selling, tuning and repairing musical instruments, played the organ for a local church, founded and conducted an orchestra and directed a choir.

Another very distant relative was of Italian birth and was described as a "Street Musician" in one census and and "Ice Cream Seller" in the next! His home had a number of boarders described as "Musicians", probably hurdy-gurdy men, rather than serious musicians like my great-grandfather.

I think the interpretation of "Professor" as a teacher is probably nearer the mark.

[IANX]

My great-grandfather was recorded as "Professor of Music" on the 1861 census.  I'm quite sure he wouldn't have trained anywhere, because he would not have had the money to do so.  He learned to play the oboe while working in a woollen mill, became so good at it that he gave lessons to others, and eventually found that this became a full-time career.  He also played the piano and organ, and later opened a shop selling, tuning and repairing musical instruments, played the organ for a local church, founded and conducted an orchestra and directed a choir.

Another very distant relative was of Italian birth and was described as a "Street Musician" in one census and and "Ice Cream Seller" in the next! His home had a number of boarders described as "Musicians", probably hurdy-gurdy men, rather than serious musicians like my great-grandfather.

I think the interpretation of "Professor" as a teacher is probably nearer the mark.

Hi
   I have just started researching the Swift family from the Shepshed area of Leicestershire and I noticed your family connection to Joseph Swift b1814 after doing a general google search. The family line I am researching have a blood line back to this Joseph. Would you please consider sharing any interesting family details you have for this Swift family.
regards Ianx

[stanmapstone]

Just to say that Professor is an appointment as the principle lecturer or teacher in a field of learning  at a university or college."Professor" in this context has a different meaning. "Professor of Music",  or "Music Professor" as applied to ordinary music-instructors, means they profess to teach music. At that time it was more usual for people to call themselves "Professor" of Music etc. if they wanted to impress. You can see plenty advertising in the newspapers, and in Directories in the 19th Century. In the 1881 Census there are 13 Doctors of Music, and 3,593 Professors of Music.

Stan

[Gillg]

Hi, IANX

And welcome to RootsChat.

I think you were trying to contact Burto rather than me, although you quote my message!  Good luck with your search.

Gillg