Thomas Gurney (shorthand writer) facts for kids
Thomas Gurney (1705–1770) was an early English expert in shorthand. Shorthand is a special way of writing very quickly, using symbols and abbreviations. Gurney developed a style of shorthand that was even used by famous writer Charles Dickens!
Contents
Who Was Thomas Gurney?
Thomas Gurney was born on March 7, 1705, in a town called Woburn, Bedfordshire. His father, John, was a miller (someone who grinds grain into flour) and came from an old family.
Early Life and Discoveries
Thomas was supposed to become a farmer, just like his family. But he loved books and building things, especially clocks. He didn't want to be a farmer, so he ran away from home twice!
After that, he learned how to make clocks. He also became a school teacher in places like Newport Pagnell and Luton.
A New Way to Write Fast
Thomas found his passion for shorthand by accident. He wanted to buy a book about astrology (the study of stars and planets). At a sale, he bought a box of books that included one on shorthand by William Mason.
He studied Mason's book so well that by the time he was 16, he was already using shorthand to write down sermons (speeches given in church). He even kept a notebook from 1722–1723, which shows how he used Mason's system with only a few changes.
Becoming a Court Writer
In 1737, Thomas Gurney moved to London. Soon after, he got a very important job: he became the official shorthand writer at the Old Bailey. This was a famous court in London.
Shorthand in Action
Being a shorthand writer at the Old Bailey meant he had to write down everything said in court, very quickly and accurately. This was the first time an official shorthand writer was appointed anywhere!
Thomas also worked in other important places. He took notes in many different courts in London and Westminster. He even worked in the Admiralty Courts (for sea-related cases) and for Courts-Martial (military trials). He also wrote for the "Honorable House of Commons," which is part of the British Parliament.
His Book and Other Work
By 1749, Gurney was running his own clockmaker business in London. At the same time, he was teaching shorthand.
Brachygraphy: A Swift Writing Guide
On October 16, 1750, Thomas Gurney published his own shorthand system in a book. He called it Brachygraphy, or Swift Writing made Easy to the Meanest Capacity. The book explained how his system was faster than others and easy to read. He had improved it after more than 30 years of practice!
One of the first people to learn from his book was Erasmus Darwin, who was a famous doctor and poet. He even wrote some nice poems for the second edition of Gurney's book, which came out in 1752.
Family and Legacy
Being a shorthand writer or teacher didn't make a lot of money back then. So, Thomas Gurney was happy to keep his clockmaking business. He also designed patterns for calico fabric printing to earn extra money.
He continued his important job at the Old Bailey until he passed away on June 22, 1770.
Thomas Gurney married Martha Marsom in 1730. Her father was an ironmonger (someone who sells metal goods) in Luton. After Martha passed away in 1756, Thomas married Rebeccah Wicks later that same year. They had one child together, named Rebecca.
