Isobel Stirk writes:
Brontë Society members and anyone with an interest in Haworth, past and
present, will be saddened to hear of the death of Michael Baumber.
Michael
was a retired history teacher and his book General-at-sea: Robert Blake and the Seventeenth Century Revolution in Naval Warfare was written over twenty years
ago. Michael had detailed knowledge of the Old Testament and his
sermons, given as a Lay Reader in the Church of England, were always
interesting and anticipated with pleasure.
In
2009 his book - A
History of Haworth from Earliest Times- was
published. It
is a mine of information which emphasises that, although the Brontë family played a big part in making the village known throughout the
world, Haworth has a long and fascinating history.
Michael was always willing to
share his knowledge with others and I was lucky enough to have many a
conversation with him about the Bronte family and Haworth itself. He
always answered my numerous questions with patience and it was a
pleasure to take him, on quite a few occasions, to the County
Records’ Offices in Northallerton, when he wanted look at the
archives there, when he was researching for one thing or another.The
miles would speed past as Michael would wax lyrical about the special
project he was undertaking and the journeys were certainly never
boring.
A
learned man- he will be sadly missed.
His
funeral service will be held at The Church of St. Andrew, Kildwick in
Craven, at 10am on 18 September.
Perhaps
a reader of this blog is able to help me. I am writing about the
surrealists and Emily Brontë, concentrating at this moment on Luis
Buñuel's Cumbres
Borrascosas – Abismos de Pasión - Wuthering Heights,
which appeared in 1953. The themes fascinated the director's
followers. I particularly want to know about the actress playing Cathy who had the stage name of Irasema Dillian – but any help will be welcomed.
