George Bidder, a mental calculator, aged twelve. Line engraving by S. Springsguth, 1818.

Date:
24 June 1818
Reference:
162i
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About this work

Description

The sitter was from a poor background and uneducated; upon discovering his mental attribute his father exhibited him all over the country until he was fifteen. At this point Sir Henry Jardine raised funds for his education and in 1819 he entered the University of Edinburgh; here he became friends with Robert Stephenson, and went on to become a great engineer and entrepreneur. See Steven B. Smith, 'The great mental calculators', pp 211-220, 1983.

Publication/Creation

London (Paternoster Row) : R.S. Kirby, 24 June 1818.

Physical description

1 print : Line engraving ; platemark 20.5 x 12.6 cm

Lettering

George Bidder, the extraordinary mental calculator aged 12 years. S. Springsguth. Junr sc

Reference

Wellcome Collection 162i

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