Reverend Robert L Thomson

Reverend Robert L Thomson

1994

The Reih Bleeaney Vanannan for 1994 was awarded to Reverend Robert L. Thomson in recognition of his outstanding work for the Manx language.

A former Reader in Celtic at the University of Leeds, Robert L Thomson’s exceptional contribution to Manx scholarship began in 1952 with his article on “The Syntax of the Verb in Manx Gaelic”, followed closely by work on Bishop Phillips’ seventeenth-century translation of the Book of Common Prayer. This formed his dissertation for a BLitt degree from Glasgow University, part of which was published in successive volumes of the Zeitschrift für Celtische Philologie as “A Glossary of Early Manx”. In the 1950s Thomson worked on an early catalogue of the Manx carvals. Work on the earliest example of Manx verse, the Traditionary Ballad, followed, as well as articles on the list of Manx words collected in 1707 by the great Welsh linguist and antiquarian Edward Lhuyd. His contributions over the following decades included work on Manx phonetics, placenames, surnames, medieval history, the influence on Norse on Manx, lexicography, and the Bible translations, as well as editions (with copious and invaluable notes) of Yn Fer-raauee Creestee and Pargys Caillit among other texts. Over the years, many learners of Manx will have used his revision of Goodwin’s First Lessons, as well as the sequel he wrote, Lessoonyn Sodjey, which takes the student gradually through St. John’s Gospel.

Thomson was also an active supporter of the revival of Manx for many decades, preaching at Manx church services, and being a founder member of Coonceil ny Gaelgey, the Manx Gaelic Advisory Council which coins new terminology for the language. Some current members still remember his erudite and vehement pronouncements on aspects of grammar and usage. He was also a well-respected Celtic scholar more generally, producing editions of a number of early modern Scottish Gaelic and medieval Welsh texts. In addition to his scholarly work, Thomson was an ordained minister in the United Reformed Church. After his death in 2005 he left a large number of papers, now deposited in the archives of the Manx Museum, including correspondence which sheds light on the activities of the Manx revival and his own scholarship over the years and unpublished notes and lectures. He also left behind a considerable library of Celtic books, which it is hoped will be preserved to benefit Manx students in years to come.

[Image is used courtesy of Manx National Heritage (PG/14760/1906)]