Out of the Shadows: The World of John Templeton (1765-1825), the Forgotten Naturalist and Enlightenment Thinker

This illustrated talk marks the 200^th anniversary of the death of naturalist, philanthropist and former Governor of the Linen Hall Library, John Templeton. It is based on Patricia Pyne’s research into Templeton’s diaries (1806 -1825) when he lived at Cranmore, the historic family home in Malone.

Given access to the diaries by the Ulster Museum, Patricia was transported into the world of a Belfast gentleman who contributed significantly to the advancement of knowledge in a period of intense reflection.

His diaries present arguments on a great range of matters and include events and biographical detail. They contain an accurate account of the landscape in the 1800s, its agriculture, flora and fauna and tell the story of the Cranmore gardens he designed.

Patricia is a linguist, writer and fine art photographer.

An honours graduate of Queen’s University Belfast in Medieval and Modern Languages, Patricia continued her studies at the Universities of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, and spent long periods of residence abroad. Returning to Northern Ireland she pursued a career as Head of Modern Languages in Victoria College Belfast, later teaching in the Graduate School of Education at Queen’s. An Academic Fellowship awarded by Queen’s enabled her to continue research into a lifetime of special interests in French and German literature.

Patricia has an extensive knowledge of photography and its place in modern visual culture. At the Ulster Museum in 2016, photography was a key element in her exhibition OUT OF THE SHADOWS, Capturing the World of John Templeton (1765-1825) when she interpreted the diaries of our earliest and most eminent naturalist, John Templeton. Arousing great and continued interest, the exhibition paid visual and literary homage to the beauty, wonder and detail of a world that has been lost to us for over 200 years.

As a member of the Ulster History Circle Patricia contributed significantly to the erection of a Blue Plaque in his honour. She is currently working on a biography of John Templeton who was the subject of her recent interview with Fiona Bruce on the Antiques Roadshow.

  Photo credit: Bobbie Hanvey