124 



/;; Mcnuiriam : Phineas Fox Lee. 



institutes in the West Riding, which had for their object the 

 mental improvement of those whose lot it had been to receive 

 little or no elementary education. In such evening schools 

 many men now occupying prominent positions recei\'ed that 

 added knowledge and desire for improvement which prov^ed 

 a stimulus for further and successful effort. In those days the 

 schools were mainly maintained by local subscriptions, and 

 most of the teaching and official work was voluntary. A man 

 of Mr. Lee's temperament found here an outlet for his enthu- 

 siasm for education, and in 1873 and for many years after- 

 wards he acted as Hon. Secretary, a post which involved much 

 work, as he had to organise and direct the whole work of the 

 Institute. It will ever stand to the credit of men like Mr. Lee 

 that they should have given so much of their spare time and 



energies to such a cause. In 

 comparing the work then with 

 present-day conditions of well- 

 equipped rooms and a goodty 



supply 

 say it 

 chalk ' 

 behind 



Phineas Fox Lee. 



of apparatus, he used to 

 was ' all blackboard and 

 ; nevertheless, there was 

 the old amateur teaching 

 the energy of the enthusiast 

 which counted for much. Under 

 his care the Institute developed 

 rapidl}', and the work becoming 

 too onerous, he was eventually 

 invited to accept the salaried 

 post of Secretary, for which his 

 past experience so well fitted 

 him. He was appointed and 

 up to his death gave his whole time to the work. 



From small beginnings the Mechanics' Institute developed 

 into the Technical School, and fine new buildings were erected 

 to meet the increased demand for more and better accommoda- 

 tion. Here he did excellent work, and the school was one of the 

 best cared for in the North of England. He was a genial and 

 helpful colleague, and companion, and was held in high esteem 

 by all who knew him. Throughout this period he took a keen 

 interest in botany, and had an extensive herbarium. For 

 some years he wp^ Secretary of the Botanical Section of the 

 Y.N.U., and afterwards president of the section. He ser\-ed 

 on the Execut've of the Union, and there as on the excursions, 

 was a welcome member. Formerly he was connected with 

 the Botanical Exchange Club, and acted as distributor. Along 

 with the late C. P. Hobkirk and others, he took an active part 

 in founding the Dewsbury museum, and was much interested 

 in adding to the collections. 



Naturalist, 



