Born	1762
Died	?
Son of James McBurnie and Elizabeth Sloan

William Burney

Report on William Burney 1762 - 1832 Notes From 'Officers and Graduates of University and Kings College Aberdeen 1495-1860' Page 113, Doctors of Law Oct 13, 1807. 'Guilielmis Burney, Scholae celebris Apud Gosport Rector [Author of several historical publications, Rec. by Drs. John McArthur and Andrew Mackay]' From: ' A New Universal Dictionary of The Marine Modified and Enlarged by Dr. William Burney', 1815, Gosport. Pages 2 - 3 ACADEMY " The Naval Academy at Gosport is a private institution for the instruction of youth intended for the Royal Navy, and was established in 1791; where 80 young gentlemen are boarded, lodged and instructed in writing, arithmetic, algebra, mathematics, navigation, nautical astronomy, marine surveying, French, drawing, fencing, and dancing. The terms are from 40 to 50 guineas a year, which include all the common expenses. The situation is admirably well calculated for a naval seminary and directly opposite the dockyard. There is a regular course in mathematical and nautical education taught at the academy, which generally requires from two to three years to accomplish; so that youth should be sent there about 11 or 12 years of age, that they may have a chance of getting through it before they go to sea; which most naval officers think ought not to be later than 14, in order to make good seamen. The plan has been very generally approved of and the establishment has been constanlty full for the last 20 years. For further particulars respecting public naval establishments see Naval College at Portsmouth." ? From: 'The Quarterly Review' "The following advertisement (only the heading of which is transcribed below) is bound in Volume Five Number Ten. It follows the Quarterly List of New Publications section. The advertisement is unique in the Quarterly as, for the most part, only booksellers' advertisements appeared at the end of a volume. Its presence is probably explained by the fact that Burney had been John Murray's childhood tutor. "A PROSPECTUS OF THE PLAN OF EDUCATION AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY, COLD HABOUR, GOSPORT; WHERE YOUNG GENTLEMEN ARE GENTEELY BOARDED AND CAREFULLY INSTRUCTED IN EVERY BRANCH OF USEFUL AND POLITE LITERATURE - By WILLIAM BURNEY, LL. D." - Copy of letter (original in possession of NW) Addressed to: Messr Cadell and Davies The Strand London Also on front cover: Favoured by Lieut. Burney Letter: "Gentlemen This will be delivered by my son Lieut. James Burney to whom you will be pleased to give the copy of the Marine Dictionary intended for Lord Melville. I hope it wil be both neatly and fashionably bound and think that will make it the more acceptable to his Lordship. My late French-master has been writing to me again and again respecting an understanding which he says he had when he first undertook the Vocabulary, that he was to be furnished with two copies of the work, besides the ten pounds. As it is now some years ago, I cannot really recollect; but having no share in it, I could only say, I would recommend your doing so, which I now do, as he certainly took much trouble, and bestowed great pains on it. We all know that the sum of ten pounds is a mere trifle for such an undertaking; I hope you will comply with his request, more especially as he was put to some expense and inconvenience with the latter part of it, after leaving his situation here, before the Vocabulary was printed. I should add that, during the compilation of the work, he corrected the whole of the French Phrases throughout the Dictionary, as well as those in the Vocabulary, as I did not consider my knowledge of the French Language sufficient to undertake that part; and you will observe, that after almost all the English terms and phrases in the body of the work, there are corresponding terms and phrases given in French. I hope you have so good as to forward the copy in boards to Col. Beaufoy at Hackney, as requested, and that the other five copies will be ready for my son to bring down with him when he leaves town. Believe me always to be, Gentlemen, Your very faithful Servant Willaim Burney Gosport, August 18th, 1815." Also published: 1. 'The Naval Heroes of Great Britain.' By William Burney AM Master of the Naval Academy at Gosport 1806 Price 7s 6d 2. 'The British Neptune or History of the Achievements of the Royal Navy from the earliest periods to the Present Time.' By William Burney AM Master of the Naval Academy at Gosport 1807 Price 7s 6d From the Hampshire County Council web site: www.hants.gov.uk "Burney's Royal Academy at Clarence Square was established in 1791 as a boarding school for naval and military pupils. Pupils were taught by the Reverend William Burney and later by Reverend Edward and Henry Burney. The museum collections include an early prospectus from the school." 9 May 1999. From: 'Haydn's Universal Index of Biography 1870.' William Burney naval historian b1762, founded and directed the Royal Naval Academy at Gosport 1788 - 1828. D 20 February 1832. From: 'Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle.' Monday, February 27, 1832, p4, col 5. Died, on the 20th inst. after a long and painful illness, at the Royal Academy, Cold Harbour, Gosport, in the 70th year of his age, William Burney, Doctor of Laws, and an active and zealous Magistrate of the County of Hants. Doctor Burney was the author of an extensive Marine Dictionary, and other valuable works; and was well known to the scientific world by his excellent Meteorological Observations. In early life he established the Royal Academy at Gosport, which has flourished for more than forty years with unprecedented success, many of our most distinguished Naval and Military officers having been educated under this accomplished scholar and worthy man, whose urbanity and kindness secured the esteem and regard of his numerous pupils, many of whom, in time of war, were at an age fully to appreciate his valuable services. During the last four years the young gentlemen have been deprived of his personal superintendence by the severe illness which terminated his useful life, but his place was most ably supplied by his son, H. Burney, of the University of Cambridge, who had assisted his lamented father for more than ten years. Doctor Burney was without ostentation, pious, steady, and earnest in his religious duties; a truly affectionate and kind husband and parent; an upright Magistrate, tempering justice with mercy; a patient and zealous preceptor, and a most worthy, benevolent man - his memory will be long cherished by his family and a numerous circle of friends; for throughout his long and useful life his conduct was such as to afford the brightest example to all around him. His loss will be long deplored by the poor and needy, and his bounty will be remembered with gratitude by many once friendless individuals, now comfortably stationed in life through his benevolent exertions. Doctor Burney has left a widow and large family to lament his loss, and inhabitants of Gosport to deplore the death of a most excellent man, whose heart was susceptible of the finest feelings of charity and benevolence. Buried St. Mary's Church Alverstoke From handwritten notes at Gosport Library by NW: (From gravestones at Irongray near Dumfries) Sacred to the memory of James Mcburnie in Knockshinnoch who died 12th Novr. 1784 aged 73 years Elizabeth Sloan his wife died 9th Decr. 1763 aged 37 years. Elizabeth their daughter died 16 Novr. 1764 aged 4 years Margaret Broad-Foot his Second wife died 5th. Jany 1794 aged 67 years. Margret their daughter died 17th. April 1786 aged 17 years. This stone is erected as a tribute of dutiful regard to the most affectionate of parents by William Mcburnie A.M. Master of Gosport Academy in Hampshire, England. I visited the church at Irongray on 26th August 2017 in the company of my brother Tony, his wife Joan and their daughter Elizabeth and found the memorial as amongst a number of McBurnie graves. See photos in the media section. ? From: 'Some Selected Reports from the Salisbury and Winchester Journal' Monday, February 14th, 1825 On Friday last His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence was graciously pleased to admit Lieut. Burney, R.N. to an interview, for the purpose of presenting a copy of his father's Marine Dictionary. His Royal Highness was pleased to express the high sense he entertains of the valuable services rendered the country by Dr. Burney during the last thirty years, in which period many of his pupils have advanced to rank and eminence in the Naval and Military professions. His Royal Highness lately condescended to place the Academy at Gosport under his immediate patronage. - Courier, Feb.7 Copy of a letter from Mathew Flinders (from http://image.sl.nsw.gov.au/Ebind/s1_57/a054/a054060/a054060.html accessed 24th May 2006) Captain Portlock - Royal Navy - Gosport Hants 7 Nassau St. Soho - London May 31. 1811 My dear Sir My friend Wiles of Jamaica, whom you may recollect on board the Providence, has a son whom he wishes should enter the navy; and I have been looking about for a proper school for him, preparatory to his going on board. The boy has been these last four years in Scotland, and has been learning Latin, French, Arithmetic, and some Geometry. He is about 14, and I wish him to learn geography and the principles of navigation and nautical astronomy for one or two years, but without losing his Latin or French. Now according to the Prospectus of Dr. Burney's naval academy at Gosport, it appears to me that this is exactly the situation I want. May I therefore beg of you, my dear Sir, to tell me your opinion of this academy; and what reputation it has, particularly with respect to morality, and care in the instruction of the scholars. I have also another youngster, son of a relation of my wifes, Mr. Alderman Hollingworth of Hull whose age, acquirements, and destination, are nearly the same; and if your report is favorable, I shall propose that both should be sent to Dr. Burney; could I be assured of the proper care and attention being paid to them. The health of Mrs. Flinders is, at this time, by no means what I could wish; but she joins me in best compliments to you and to Mrs. Portlock. Your early answer, will oblige, my dear Sir, your affectionate humble servant Mattw. Flinders James Brown Esq. 6 George Street Edinburgh 7 Nassau Street - Soho - London June 7. 1811 Dear Sir I duly received the favour of your answer of April 23. last, relative to the son of our friend Wiles. Since then, I have been seeking out, and making enquiries, for a proper school in which to place young Henry, preparatory to his going to sea; but it was not until a week since, that I could meet with what would seemed to suit in all respects. The prospectus, which is enclosed, then fell into my hands; and I wrote down to my friend captain Portlock, who resides at Gosport, in order to learn what was the reputation of the school, with respect to morality and the attention paid to the boys; for of Dr. Burney's abilities, as a learned man, I was already informed. Capt. P. was ill, but Mrs. P. informed me that the school was in high reputation, in every respect, and that Dr. Burney would write me. Yesterday I received a letter from him referring me to admirals Domett, Sir J. Yorke, Sir J. Coffin, Sir Harry Burrand Neal, Lords Rous, and Holland; all of whom have had, or now have sons or relations educating there. Upon the whole, if the terms of the school do not exceed the authority you have from our friend, I think this is the best situation in the three kingdoms for young Henry, until he shall have attained the age of 15 or 16; and I shall this day propose the same thing to Mr. Alderman Hollingworth of Hull, whose son is about the same age as Henry, and is also to go to sea under my protection I have marked, in the prospectus, such extra charges as I conceive to be necessary; and, with the clothes, the expense will amount to about £60 per annum. If there is no objection to going further, he might add, drawing, fencing, and dancing, for half a year with advantage Dr. Burney takes only a limited number of Boarders, and wishes to know our determination in the course of a few weeks, before the few present vacancies are filled up. The school opens, after the midsummer vacation, on July 29. 1811. I will thank you, therefore, to let me know your determination opinion as soon as you conveniently can; and if you approve, to say when and how you will send Henry to London. I will despatch him forward and with a letter to Dr. Burney, printing out the exact plan of education I wish to be followed I remain, dear Sir, Your obed. humble servant Mattw. Flinders I did not write to Jamaica this month; but shall the next; by which time our plan will be laid, as I hope. From the Internet accessed 4th Jan 2007 From: "Bernard de Neumann" Subject: RE: [Mar] The Naval Academy at Portsmouth Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 10:56:29 -0000 In-Reply-To: You should be aware that the Royal Academy and the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth were two different institutions. The Royal Naval Academy (College) at Portsmouth closed in about 1837. Then there was an academy at Coldharbour, Gosport, variously called Royal Academy and Naval Academy, that was descended from Weston's Academy, Greenwich (founded 1712, taken over by the Burney family in 1793, and moved to Gosport in 1825*. As a vestigial establishment it did not close until the 20th century. In 1892 it was acquired by the Rev F.G Johnson, in 1904 moved to Shalford Park, Surrey, and closed prior to 1955 when the estate was purchased by means of a compulsory purchase order.) Bernard de Neumann *This date is contradicted by the fact that William Burney wrote a letter from the Academy, Gosport in 1815 ? An email from Peter Gwain 6th April 2008 Hi Nick, I've collected some new information since we last corresponded. 1) I followed up an item in Notes and Queries and obtained a copy of A History of King Edward VI School Southampton, C.F. Russell, privately printed, University Press, Cambridge, 1940, 359 pages. The author was a former headmaster of the school (1918-1929). On page 270 he writes: "Before concluding this chapter, mention must be made of the only assistant master of Richard Mant's whose name has been preserved. In Carlisle's Endowed Grammar Schools, it is stated that "in 1789 he had the present Master of the excellent Naval Academy at Gosport Dr Burney for his Usher, where he officiated for 5 years". Dr Burney's name cannot be found in the list of graduates of either Oxford or Cambridge; but his name was certainly William, for some years later the Rev. Edward Burney, "fifth son of William Burney of Gosport, doctor", was at Magdalen College, and it is interesting to find that he too became headmaster of the Royal Naval and Military Academy at Gosport. At the time William Burney was at the academy, another Dr Burney, Charles by name, was a headmaster at Greenwich, but I have found nothing to show that they were related. Among Burney's pupils, probably the most distinguished was Frederick Thesiger, who was at first under Charles Burney at Greenwich and then transferred to be under his namesake at Gosport; he married Anna Maria, daughter of William Tinling who was sheriff of Southampton in 1806, and in 1858 became Lord Chancellor and Baron Chelmsford; his grandson, the first Viscount Chelmsford, was Viceroy of India in 1916." The quote from Carlisle, which book is not otherwise identified, is shown as II, 448. This is presumably "A concise description of the endowed grammar schools in England and Wales ...", Nicholas Carlisle, Baldwin, Craddock and Joy, 1818. Frederick Thesiger (1794-1878) entered the Navy & was a midshipman in 1807. It seems likely therefore that he was moved from Burney Greenwich to Burney Gosport to prepare for this, rather than being transferred as a result of some working arrangement between the two Burneys. If Wm B was at King Edward School for five years before opening his own school in Gosport in 1791 then he started at Southampton in 1786, at age 25. I have no idea how long he spent at Aberdeen, if that is the university he attended and which granted him an A.M. degree in mathematics, but it is beginning to look as if he started teaching at Southampton soon after completing his studies. The question arises as to how he got the appointment (the usher was the deputy head). Richard Mant, the head from 1770 to 1795, was a Hampshire man & went to Oxford so it seems unlikely that he & WB had met. The 1675 statutes of the school, which might have still been in force, required the usher to be elected by the mayor, bailiffs and common council of Southampton and licensed by the Bishop of Winchester. Somebody, or some body, must have recommended WB. KES, a classical grammar school, was founded in 1553: it still exists and has a website. It is interesting that Burney moved from one of the old grammar schools, which at the time concentrated on the classics and ignored math & science, to found a vocation-oriented academy. A great number of such academies started in the 18th century. It is also interesting that he set up shop in Gosport. One wonders why, although Southampton was in a bit of a slump at the end of the century whilst Gosport was enjoying the naval boom created by the American and French wars. 2) WB & Selina Louisa Closson were married in the church of St Lawrence & St John, High Street (formerly English Street) Southampton, Nov 20 1789 (HGS CD Marriages in Hampshire). The church was torn down in 1929. I know nothing of Selina Closson's origins although the Universal British Directory of 1798 does list Josiah Closson, turner & cabinet maker, in Southampton. There are no Burney listed there. 3) I've exchanged several emails with the Burney Centre at McGill University, Montreal. The Centre is the research and publication partner of the Burney Society dedicated to the life & work of Fanny Burney: it has a website. The Centre had no information on WB but has now opened a file using the material I sent. Through the Centre I got a copy of a letter that Fanny B sent to her husband from Brussels in July 1815. She relates a chance meeting she had just had in Brussels with Capt William Burney, aged 22, 44th Foot, who had been wounded at Quatre Bras (June 16 1815). This was WB's oldest child. They discussed whether they were related but, she explained to her husband, "... I had been told by my brother, Dr Charles, there was no affinity between us; OUR family coming from Ireland, where we were among the MACS: & his being English." She added, later, "I found him a very pleasing young man, sensible, conversible, manly, yet modest... The young man is so amiable, I could wish you to know him." The current consensus appears to be that indeed there is no affinity. 4) I managed to get a copy of "The elusive Burneys" mentioned in Elaine Horne's bibliography (p. 64). This was part of a series of Vignettes published by the Portsmouth Library Service in "The Portsmouth Reader" an occasional journal issued between 1937 and 1957. The Vignette in question, issued in two parts of two short pages each, relates the reference service's attempt to find out something about Burney's Academy: it didn't have much success. A lot of information was taken from an article by Fred Hamer in the Evening News May 20 1952. Hamer had been at the school in 1896 when he was nine, just after Johnson had acquired it. Hamer's article is probably the source for some of the misleading information published about Burney's by later local writers. I've not yet tried to get a copy. 5) I came across a reference to royal patronage in the Salisbury and Winchester Journal Feb 14 1825 stating that His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence (later William IV) "lately condescended to place the Academy at Gosport under his immediate patronage." The nature of Wm B's connection to the Duke remains a mystery. 6) This caught my eye in a recent obituary in a Vancouver paper - "will be dearly missed by her colleagues... and many mends." Regards, Peter. Extract from 'Public Characters of All Nations', London, 1823, Vol 1, pp. 246-247 BURNEY, (WILLIAM, LL.D.), Is descended from a respectable family, originally from Worcestershire, but settled in Penrith in Cumberland for some years, and afterwards removed to the neighbourhood of Dumfries, in Scotland, for the benefit of the public schools there, and the advantage of educating a large family on a small income. He received his instruction at the grammar-school there, under the late Dr. Chapman, went through a course of mathematics under the celebrated Dr. Dinwiddy, and afterwards studied at Edinburgh, and took his degree of M.A. in 1783. His father dying about this period, he engaged as private tutor to a respectable family of the name of Gordon, in Galloway, where he remained two years, and, in 1785, came to England. He officiated for some years as an assistant, particularly in the grammar-school at Southampton, under the late Rev. Dr. Mant, where he married in 1789, and having friends and connections in the navy, he settled at Gosport in 1791. Seeing the state of the only public naval school in this country, then called 'The Royal Academy,' in Portsmouth dock-yard, where not above 40 boys were instructed in mathematics and navigation, he immediately determined on forming an establishment at Gosport, upon a more extensive scale, that should combine all the advantages of a grammar-school with those of an academy, and, in this laudable undertaking, he was warmly supported by many of our naval officers, who, at that time, felt the want of, and anticipated the benefits to be derived from, a liberal education. He took his degree of LL.D. in 1807; has long been in the commission of the peace for the county, and is much respected as an active and upright magistrate. The doctor is editor of "The Naval Heroes of Great Britain; or, Accounts of the Lives and Actions of distinguished Admirals and Commanders;" and of "The British Neptune, or a Naval History of Great Britain, from the time of Alfred to the victory of Trafalgar;" and also of "The enlarged and improved Marine Dictionary," published in 1815. He occasionally contributed to the Naval Chronicle, and there are some valuable papers of his in Thomson's Annals of Philosophy. It is said he has lately turned his attention to collect materials for a general History of the Marine of this country, which seems to be a desideratum in our literature Transcribed from on-line Google Book edition Peter Gawn (Canada) May 2010 File: Gosport/Burney bio.