The recent discovery of a leather-bound notebook could be the solution to a debate that has been rampant within the Royal Society for 350 years. The argument revolves around English politician Alexander Popham – who was born deaf and mute around 1650 and was taught to speak by a distinguished scientist. But who?
Controversy has since centred around which of the two scientists Popham’s mother hired – William Holder and John Wallace – was the actual man who succeeded in teaching the boy to speak.
Born in Littlecote House in Berkshire, Popham could not hear or speak until his desperate mother hired eminent scientists Holder and Wallace. Ann Popham was determined that she would be able to communicate with her son. Popham was the only male heir in the family, so it was crucial that he received as much help as possible in living a comparatively normal life.
A record of who actually achieved the astonishing results was never kept and has been subject of argument ever since.
Alexander Popham was the grandson of infamous John Popham, the Chief Lord Justice of England between 1592 and 1607. Judge Popham is notorious for being the man who sentenced Mary Queen of Scots and Guy Fawkes to death during his tenure.
However, it’s his grandson that’s been the source of speculation for so long. The discovery, which was found in the butler’s cupboard by accident, details that it was undoubtedly John Wallis who taught Popham how to speak.
Wallis used modern techniques to aid education, beginning by teaching Popham how to make sounds before moving further towards language constructions. Wallis drew diagrams which he used to show Alexander how to position his tongue and lips in order to form sounds. He then employed the same method to grow the sounds into full words.
Alexander went on to live a relatively normal life – even marrying a woman named Brilliana and fathering four healthy children with her. He became a politician who is best known not for his cured disabilities but for his patronage of the renowned Enlightenment philosopher, John Locke.
The discovery has been an excitement to the scientific community, many of whom now feel they can put this age-old debate to rest. Alexander’s descendents were invited to Littlecote House to visit the notebook for themselves and see the evidence firsthand that displays who really taught their famous relative how to speak.
Littlecote House has existed in several restored and renovated forms since the 13th century. It is now a country house hotel and resort, one of many popular hotels in Berkshire.
Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
