George Todd B.A. (Oxon); I.S.O.
Balliol College, Oxford. Born and Died on 25th
December 1912 in Rome. Principal - February 1871
to April 1878 on a salary of £ 750 (Rs.7500/-)
per annum. Acted as Director of Public Instruction
in 1875. On retirement from Ceylon, Todd served
in the Department of Education in Scotland
Todd a brilliant Classics Scholar
was another to sport side whiskers. According
to accounts, partially lame. Todd never courted
popularity and changed most of the Text Books
in use in Boake's time and sent away number of
slack teachers. He was a stern disciplinarian
and applied the Motto. After Principal Boakes
virtual austerity programme Todd commenced some
innovations.
•
The English University Scholarships
was first awarded
•
Instituted the Admission Register
•
Cricket got under way with
the arrival of Ashely Walker in 1876
•
School Colours of "Royal
Gold and Blue" are first mentioned
•
School Motto first mentioned
Todd's house in Rome where he
lived and died was named "San Sebastian".
Earlier while living in London the house he lived
in was named "San Sebastian". Todds
sons visited the college and addressed the boys
at Assembly during the Easter Term 1955.
John Barnabas Cull, M.A.
(Oxon). Born 1st September 1849. Died 25th
August 1902. Joined the Colombo Academy
staff as 2nd Principal Asst. on 3rd July
1874 promoted Principal Asst. January 1876.
Principal 1st December 1878
- January 1890 on a salary of £ 750
per annum. Director of Public Instruction
October 1890 to 1892.Another volatile character,
mostly in connection with internal affairs
of School, and not matters connected with
the government. Short, red-haired and with
a reddish coloured beard plus stinging slaps
administered on the cheeks of his charges
earned him the nickname "Dimiya",
(red Ant). Cull is the first Principal to
have earned a nickname. Cull was fond of
Rowing. He always wore a white tunic coat
when going about his duties." He was
a strict disciplinarian, and inspired awe,
but used the cane sparingly. Drill was during
schools hours. Cull married Archdeacon Tullochs'
daughter.
Cull's devotion to the development
of studies and extra curricular activities saw
the commencement of a building for a Science Block
in 1879. He wrote to the D.P.I. before going on
leave in may 1881 that he wished to form a cadet
crops and to have the name changed to Royal College.
Both items were granted during his absence.
The changes
in Principal Culls period were
•
Gazette Notification giving
Her Majesty Queen Victorias approval to change
name to ROYAL COLLEGE appeared on 31st july
1881
•
CADET CROPS was formed in August
1881
•
The biggest milestone of Cull's
regime was the first cricket match with St.Thomas'
College on 27th and 28th July 1879. It was
the first Cricket match played by Royal College.
•
The science Laboratory was
completed in 1881. Royal College became the
First school to introduce Science Subjects
in to the Curriculum.
The College went on to produce
brilliant Science Scholars - the first of whom
was H.M. Fernando. Although Director of Public
Instruction in 1891, Cull took a keen interest
in the formation of the Royal College Old Boys
Union.
"A tireless worker he took
the Sixth Form in England, History, Latin, Classics
and Political Economics. On Saturday morning he
had French Classes and read the Greek Testament
with the Boarders. "An inspiring and stimulating
teacher who in later years became intemperate
and was a failure as Director of Public Instruction.
The end of his life, after retirement was a pathetically
inglorious one."
Joseph Henry Marsh (Jnr.) M.A.
(Edin), Born 27th December 1836. Died on 1898
in Joined staff on 1st may 1857. Actg. Principal
1870 to 1871. First Principal Asst. !871 to 1883.
Inspector of schools September 1883 to 1890. Actg.
Principal May 1888 to 18th October 1890. Principal
Royal College from 18th October 1890 to 30th March
1892 on a salary of Rs. 7500/- per annum
Retired and settele down in England.
Marsh had a son (H.W.) who was a student at College.
Marsh (Jnr.) the son of the first Headmaster Rev.
Joseph Marsh (Snr.) Like the father he was a mild
mannered religious individual, who tried his best
to stop boys from smoking, tired his best to get
the boys to drill and came up against all sorts
of pranks, even with an Englishman as Drill Sergeant.
From reminiscences written by Old Boys of the
period Drill sessions seem to have been a bit
chaotic. "Marsh was a dry old soul and his
teaching was far from stimulating."
John Henry Harward, M.A.
(Oxon). Born 27th May 1858 at Worksworth,
Derbyshire. Died 30th Sept. 1932 at Warwick,
Queensland, Australia. Educated at Durham
School (1869-1877) and University College,
Oxford (1878-1881) and graduated B.A. First
in classical Moderations. 2nd in Greats
at Oxford. 2nd classics Master at Brighton
College (1882-1891). Principal Royal College
from 3rd May 1892 to 30thAugust 1902 on
a salary of Rs 9,600/- annum. Acted as Director
of Public Instruction (1898-1902) while
being principal. Director of Public Instruction
January 1903 to 1915
A slight pale figure whose
apperence was deceptive. It was surprising
that one who looked ill could work so hard.
Was efficient and expected others to fellow
the high standard set by him. Taught 20
of the 25 hours a week. Collected fees himself
as he had no clerical assistance. "as
a teacher he was of the class that is born
and not made"
The First Principal
to allow the students full reign to form Debating
societies
•
The associations formed were:
The Y.M.C.A. ,Literary club,
Juvenile Association, Philosophical society
•
A permanent Magazine commenced
(1893)
•
Football was introduced (1896)
He was an excellent Sinhalese
scholar. After his arrival his application to
the study of the language was at the dinner table
with A. Samarasinghe one of the masters. Later
he spoke Sinhalese with ease. Prizes were given
for Sinhalese and Tamil for the first time in
the history of the school. A gold cricketer, he
played for the College XI against Clubs. He Umpired
at matches including the Royal-Thomian match.
His 10 year reign has been called the "Golden
Age" at Royal. Hardly used the cane, a complete
departure from the regimes of Boake or Cull. Harward
played a good game of golf.
Harward who was the son of Arthur
Harward of Worksworth Derbyshire, was a bachelor
and his sister Mary Harward kept house for him.
On retirment he settled down in Warwick, Queensland,
Australia. The home he lived and in died at Warwick
in Queensland was named "Montrose",
after the name of the home he lived in at Ward
Place, Colombo 7.
If I once start talking of Royal
College, I shall never stop"¾ (Principal
Harward at Royal College Prize Day Speech 1904).
Charles Hartley, M.A. (Cantab).
Born 12th February 1865 at Beccls, Suffolk, Died
in 1935 in British Columbia, Canada. Educated
at Fauconberg Grammar school, Beccles, then at
Malborough (1879-1883) and Magdalen Cambridge
where he graduated B.A. (1887) Wrangler, 2nd class
Tripos ; Captain of Magdalen College Cricket Team,
Classical Master Cathedral School, Worcester;
Modern Language and classical Master at Christ
college Brecon and later at Malborough College;
Joined staff of Royal College as Lecturer in Modern
Languages and English in September 1896; Actg
Principal October 1897 to August1898; Actg. Principal
Asst; April1902 to January 1903; Principal 23rd
June 1903 to May 1919 on a salary of Rs. 9600/-
per annum. Asst. Censor in Ceylon (German) 1915.
Actg Director of Public Instruction 1910. The
MOSES of Royal College. He lead the young
The MOSES of Royal College. He lead
the young Royalists away from the dirt and grime and
the millions of lake flies and bats of San Sebastian
Hill, Pettah and Hulftsdrop to the more salubrious surroundings
and fine buildings of Cinnamon Gardens in 1913. Like
Harward he was very fond of cricket although he did
not play cricket as frequently as Harward. Hartley Umpired
in School Matches and in the Royal Thomian match. "He
was found of riding the bicycle-his mode of transport,
even to get to "Queens House". Always had
his coat buttoned upto the top. A strict disciplinarian.
A simple soul, a man of few words who made his appearances
at Queens House in Cannanore suit and faded green tie,
a Shakespearan coller, white shoes and a crumpled hat,
("a monstrosity of the hatters art") shattering
Vice-Regal fashions." During his period as Principal
Hartley overcome efforts to abolish the Royal College
between 1908 and 1916. Hartley who never spared the
cane created history when he caned the whole Upper 6th
Form in 1897.
"Hartley came out with a reputation
as a cricketer, which he did fairly maintain on the
one only occasion in which he played. He found Colombo
too warm for cricket"
He owned the Yatch "Fiona".
He lectured on Yatchs and Yatch building. Hartley was
Hony. Secretary. Colombo Sailing Club(1900/04).
During Hartley period
new sports were introduced:
•
Boxing (1913)
•
Rugby (1916)
•
Hockey(1916)
•
The House system was inaugurated.
•
First Inter Schools Athletics Meet
(1907) (Empire Day Games)
Major Harry Leslie Reed M.A. (Cantab).
Born 16th October 1885. Died 27th October 1969
in England. Educated at Merchants Taylors and
Clare college, Cambridge. Wrangler, Marhematics
Tripos , 2nd Class historical Tripos. Asst. Master
Science and Mathematics, Westminster School London.
Principal 19th August 1920 to march 1932 on a
salary of £ 800 per annum. Served in First
World War as Major in Territorials (1915) and
in France (1916-1918). Wrote (1)
Text Book "Plane Trignometry" (1930).
(2) "Monthly Mathematical Test Papers"
(3) "Plane Problems Papers For Upper Middle
forms." Reed visi ted Ceylon and the old
school in 1955.
Reed presided over many innovations in school
affairs in Education and in sports
•
Perfect System was introduced
(1920)
•
Reoganised the House System
(1921)
•
Held the first Classes for
N.C.O.'s in Cadet Battalion (1921)
•
Formed Games Club (associated
with Old Boys Union (1921)
•
New College Crest (1922)
•
Associations Formed :
Junior Literary Association
/ Social League / Master Guild
Arts Society / Natural
History Society / Radio Club
The Historical Association (1930)
/ Introduced 'Mathematical sets'
•
College Song (composed and set
to music by him - 1927
•
Colours Awarded for sports
(1922)
•
Blazer for cricket (stripes
and crest)(1928) and plain Blue Blazer with
crest for Boxing, Rugby and Athletics and
for Tennis plain Blue Blazer with Crest with
Crown and word 'floreat" (1928)
•
Building of the College Pavilion
(1930) assisted by Old Boy's Union.
•
The writing of the
'History Of The Royal College' (1931/32).
Principal Reed initiated the formation
of the Management Section (School) of the Ceylon
amateur Athletics Association which organized
the First Public Schools Athletics Meet in 1930.
All of the Reeds successful innovations
have lasted the past 65 years
Major Reed was the son of Mr.
& Mrs. G. Marlowe Reed who was Chairman Middlesex
country council of London. Mrs. Reed took a very
keen interest in college activities, especially
in training the college Choir-which beat all the
leading Girls schools in Colombo from 1920-1931
(the competition was not held in one year).
Reed has an achievement unique
amongst our Principals. In his last 3 years Royal
College were Public Schools Cricket Champions
(1929-1931), Public School Athletic Champions
1930-1931 (shortly after he left Ceylon, Royal
were Athletic Champions again in 1932) and also
won the meaden Shield for Singing for Schools
for 10 successive years (1920-1931).
Lionel Henry Wynn Sampson,
B.A. ( Oxon ) F.R.G.S. Born 15th July 1880
. Died 15th May 1963 in England . Educated
at Kings School Worcester . Obtained Kings
Scholarship and went up to Hertford College
Oxford. Fellow Royal Geographical society
. Joined as classics & History Master
on 23rd September 1909. First vice principal
of Royal College from October 1923 to March
1932
On War Service in first
world war as 2nd Lt. Royal Army Service
Corps ( horse transport ) with the Egyptian
Expeditionary force in Palestine & Syria
from 1917 to 1919 ( on leave from College
), under the command of general Allenby.
Principal of Royal College from March 1932
to March 1938. On retirement was lecturer
in history and classics at Christ College,
Brecon, Wales
Acting Principal in 1920 he saw the introduction
of Rugby (Royal Vs. Trinity College )
As
Acting Principal in 1924 :
He
introduced the College Flag with the Crest
embroided in The center and He issued badges
to prefect
(both on prize Day 30th July 1924 ).
Sampson
also introduced :
During
Hartley period new sports were introduced:
•
Swimming and Gymnastics
into the sports programme
•
Enforced strictly the
under 19 age rule for all sports
•
Sinhalese & Tamil
and Science Libraries were started
•
Sinhales & Tamil
Literary Societies formed
•
Parent Teacher Associations
started
•
Sinhalese and Tamil as
Compulsory subjects in 1938
A disciplinarian who followed
the tradition of his illustrious predecessors.
His weekly visits to the Form to take the
'positions' is still remembered by many.
Expecillay by those who paid a return visit
to the Principal's office for a caning.
For the first time Sinhalese and Tamil were
made compulsory Subjects along with Latin
and English. In his Prize Day Report he
gave his plans which were heartily approved
by his Excellency the Governor Sir Reginal
Stubbs (1937) and put into effect in 1938.
A good Golfer, he took part
in many competitions at the Royal Colombo
Golf Club. Todate he is the only Principal
to have arranged an Overseas cricket tour
for the Royal College Team. He was solely
responsible (aided by L.V Gooneratne) for
the highly successful tour of Perth, Adelaide
& Melbourne High School. In 1935 he
offered the L.H.W.S. Sampson Challenge Cup
(to be completed annually) for the Schools
440 vds at the AAA Meet.
