Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hodgkinson, George Christopher
HODGKINSON, GEORGE CHRISTOPHER (1816–1880), meteorologist and writer on education, studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating B.A. (fourteenth wrangler) in 1837, and M.A. in 1842. He became principal of the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, then principal of the Diocesan Training College at York, and from 1864 to 1876 was head-master of the King Edward grammar school at Louth. He was also secretary of the National Society. Hodgkinson was presented to the rectory of Screveton, Nottinghamshire, in 1876. Hodgkinson married a granddaughter of Sir James Ross. He died at Car Colston, Nottinghamshire, on 25 April 1880.
Hodgkinson was an Alpine climber. In 1862 he contributed ‘Hypsometry and the Aneroid’ to ‘Peaks, Passes, and Glaciers,’ published for the Alpine Club (1862), vol. ii. (2nd ser.). Hodgkinson showed a practical as well as theoretical knowledge of the mechanism and application of aneroids, and recommended their use in mountain exploration, not only in the interests of meteorology, but for the convenience of the tourist. He made a series of astronomical observations on the summit of Mont Blanc, towards which he received from the Royal Society several grants ‘for the construction of his own scientific instruments and the modification of others.’ He had some correspondence with the astronomer royal as to the most effective mode of registering the amount and intensity of sunshine. Besides sermons and tracts Hodgkinson also published, in reply to the Archbishop of York and Bishop of Ripon, a defence of the teaching of the Diocesan College at York (1854), and some pamphlets on the examinations for the Indian civil service, approving open competition.
[Times, 12 May 1880; Louth Advertiser, April 1880.]