George Floyd Duckett facts for kids

Sir George Floyd Duckett, 3rd Baronet (born 1811, died 1902) was an English army officer, a historian who studied old things (an antiquarian), and someone who wrote dictionaries (a lexicographer). He wrote a lot about his family's history, the Duckett family, because his grandfather had married a woman who was an heiress from that family.

Sir George's Early Life and Education

George Floyd Duckett was born in London on March 27, 1811. He was the oldest child of Sir George Duckett, 2nd Baronet. His mother was Isabella Floyd. His grandfather, Sir George Jackson, 1st Baronet, changed his last name to Duckett in 1797 after marrying into the Duckett family.

George went to private schools in Putney and Wimbledon Common. From 1820 to 1823, he attended Harrow School, which is a famous school. After that, he studied with a private teacher in Bedfordshire. In 1827 and 1828, he traveled to Germany to learn German in Gotha and Dresden.

In 1828, he started studying at Christ Church, Oxford University. However, he spent a lot of time hunting and left the university without finishing his degree.

His Time in the Army

In 1832, George joined the West Essex Corps of Yeomanry Cavalry. He then became a sub-lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment of Life Guards. Around this time, his father lost all his money because of bad investments.

Because of these money problems, George had to leave the Guards in 1834. He joined the 15th Hussars and then the 82nd Regiment. He stayed with the 82nd Regiment until 1839.

After becoming a captain, he moved to the 87th Fusiliers in 1839. He took time off from the army to work on a book. When he returned to full duty, he was placed at the bottom of the captains' list in the 69th Regiment.

Becoming a Baronet and a Historian

When his father passed away on June 15, 1856, George became the third baronet. This is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in a family. After this, he started focusing on writing about history and old things.

On February 11, 1869, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. This is a group for people who study ancient times. As he got older, he became blind, which stopped him from writing.

Sir George Floyd Duckett died on May 13, 1902, at the age of 91. He was buried in the cemetery at Wells, Somerset.

Sir George's Books and Research

During the later part of his army career, Sir George worked on a big book called a Technological Military Dictionary. This dictionary was in German, English, and French. To write it, he got permission to visit military workshops in places like Woolwich, Paris, and Berlin. He even retired from the army to finish the book.

The dictionary was published in 1848. It was very good and won gold medals from important leaders like Franz Joseph I of Austria and Napoleon III. However, it wasn't as popular in his home country.

Family History and Monasteries

In 1869, Duckett published a book about his own family, Duchetiana, or Historical and Genealogical Memoirs of the Family of Duket. He updated this book in 1874. In it, he claimed to be related to Gundrada de Warenne and believed he had a right to an old noble title.

He also wrote a book in 1877 called Observations on the Parentage of Gundreda. In this book, he argued that Gundrada was the daughter of William the Conqueror, a famous king.

Sir George also studied the history of Lewes Priory, which was an old monastery that Gundrada was thought to have helped start. He printed several books privately about the Cluniac Order, which was a type of monastery. These included:

• Record Evidences among the Archives of the Ancient Abbey of Cluni from 1077 to 1534 (1886)
• Monasticon Cluniacense Anglicanum, Charters and Records among the Archives of the Ancient Abbey of Cluni from 1077 to 1534 (2 volumes, 1888)
• Visitations of English Cluniac Foundations, 1262–1279 (1890)
• Visitations and Chapters-General of the Order of Cluni (1893)

For his work on the Monasticon Cluniacense, he received an award from France in 1888.

Other Publications and Edited Works

Sir George also wrote articles for local history groups and published other books:

• The Marches of Wales (1881)
• Manorbeer Castle and its Early Owners (1882)
• Brief Notices on Monastic and Ecclesiastical Costume (1890)

He also helped prepare and publish other historical documents and letters:

• Original Letters of the Duke of Monmouth (1879)
• The Sheriffs of Westmorland (1879)
• Evidences of Harewood Castle in Yorkshire (1881)
• 'Description of the County of Westmorland, by Sir Daniel Fleming of Rydal (1882)
• Penal Laws and Test Act under James II (3 volumes, 1882–1883)
• Naval Commissioners, from 12 Charles II to 1 George III, 1660–1760 (1890)
• Evidences of the Barri Family of Manorbeer and Olethan (1891)

In 1892, he translated a German book called Mariolatry, Worship of the Virgin; the Doctrine refuted by Scripture. Finally, in 1895, he published his own memories in a book called Anecdotal Reminiscences of an Octo-nonagenarian.

Family Life

Sir George Duckett married Isabella Smith on June 21, 1845. Isabella was the daughter of Sir Lionel Smith, 1st Baronet. They did not have any children. Because of this, when Sir George died, the baronetcy (his special title) came to an end.