Oliver Byrne: The Matisse of Mathematics - Appendix B: Oliver Byrne's Will

The following is a transcription of a photocopy of Oliver Byrne's Will (see below) privately held by Sid Kolpas.

Will in the Estate of the Late Oliver Byrne, proved at London 28 February, 1881.

On the 28^th day of February 1881 the will of Oliver Byrne formerly of No. 14 Fransfield Grove Upper Sydenham in the Parish of Lewisham in the County of Kent but late of Maidstone in the said County Civil Military and Mechanical Engineer deceased, who died on the 9^th day of December 1880 at Maidstone aforesaid was proved in the Principal Registry of the Probate Division of the High Court of Justice, by the oath of Eleanor Byrne of No. 46 Grecian Street Maidstone aforesaid Widow the Relict of the said Deceased (daughter of John Rugg Esquire) the sole executrix named in the said Will she having been first sworn duly to administer, ... Personal Estate under £100 / No Leaseholds

This is the last will and testament of me, Oliver Byrne of No. 14 Fransfield Grove Upper Sydenham in the parish of Lewisham in the county of Kent. Author of numerous works on Mathematics, Mechanics and Engineering Civil Military and Mechanical Engineer I direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be paid and satisfied by my executrix hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease I give devise and bequeath all my copyrights manuscripts and books to my dearly beloved wife Eleanor Byrne all money coming to me in any way whatever I give and bequeath to the said Eleanor Byrne I give and grant her power to will the copyrights of my works to whom she likes or to sell or dispose of them in any way that she said Eleanor Byrne may think proper I give devise and bequeath to my wife the said Eleanor Byrne all my personal property in furniture houses or lands that may be left to me by Will or otherwise to sell or dispose of as the said Eleanor Byrne may think right to and for her own use and benefit absolutely And I nominate constitute and appoint the said Eleanor Byrne the daughter of John Rugg Esquire of Maidstone Kent and sister of R. Rugg Esquire Surgeon of 65 Middle St., Brighton Sussex also sister of Dr. G P Rugg etc. etc. to be Executrix solely of this my Will and hereby revoking all former or other Wills and Testaments by me at any time heretofore made I declare this to be my last Will and Testament in witness whereof I the said Oliver Byrne Mathematician to have this my last Will and Testament set my hand the eighth day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy three [1873] – Oliver Byrne – signed and declared by the said Oliver Byrne the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other all being present at the same time have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses George Rivers 130 Patton Mill Rd. N. – James Walkley Lee 24 Essex Street, Islington N[orth].

Proved at London 28 February 1881 by the oath of Eleanor Byrne widow, the relict daughter of John Rugg Esq. the sole executrix to whom admin[istration] was granted.

Figure 20.  Last Will and Final Testament of Oliver Byrne (photocopy privately held by Sid Kolpas)