57mm. Silver. Unsigned.
Institute of British Architects silver prize medal. Awarded to 'Thomas Henry Eagles B.A - For An Essay On Vaulting'.
Good Very Fine and toned.
THOMAS HENRY EAGLES was born on the 31st of May, 1845. His professional career was commenced in August 1859, in the office of his uncle, Mr. Henry Dangerfield, then Borough Surveyor of Cheltenham, but on the retirement of Mr. Dangerfield, on account of ill-health, Mr. Eagles, in 1862, entered the office of Mr. R. Reynolds Rowe, then Borough Surveyor of Cambridge, under whom he served for five years as an articled pupil. In 1867; he matriculated at Queen’s College, Cambridge, and graduated in mathematical honours in 1871, being placed 27th Wrangler; he proceeded to the degree of MA. in 1874. During the years 1871-72 Mr. Eagles was assistant to Mr. W. S. Cross, Architect and Surveyor to the London estates of the Duke of Bedford, and while there passed the qualifying examination for a District Surveyorship under the Metropolitan Building Act. In September 1872 he was appointed Instructor in Architectural Drawing at the Royal Indian Engineering College, Cooper’s Hill, and shortly afterwards became, in addition, Lecturer in Architecture and Estimating, and in 1879 Instructor in Geometrical Drawing on the retirement of Major (then Captain) Clarke, R.E., C.M.G., which appointments he retained until the time of his death. With his academic work he also continued the practice of his profession as occasion allowed. The lecture-rooms, laboratories, and further extensions of the college required from time to time, with other buildings in the neighbourhood, were designed and carried out by him. Zealous and earnest in his college and professional engagements, Mr. Eagles was not less ardent in taking part in vigorous sports and athletic pursuits. When at Cambridge he was captain of his College Boat Club, and during his term in a London office he joined the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers. Soon after his appointment to the Royal Indian Engineering College he became a Lieutenant, and subsequently Captain, of the Volunteer Company of the Berkshire Regiment formed by the college students. He qualified himself for his position by passing with honours, in 1881, the examination for volunteer officers in tactics. He took the greatest interest in the discipline and efficiency of his company, and was proud of the high reputation it held in the regiment. In the rifle matches he was always a member of the team, and was one of its best shots. He also took a leading part for many years in, the management of the College Boat Club, and in training the crews. Mr. Eagles closely identified himself with all that promoted the welfare of the students of the college, and by his professional abilities and attainments, ae well as by the interest and energy he displayed in their physical pursuits, he enjoyed the greatest popularity and respect. His clear and incisive intellect enabled him to grasp the details and master the essential points of any matter which claimed his attention. It may truly be said that it was within his power to achieve success in any walk of life to which he chose to apply himself. As a volunteer officer he possessed the true military spirit of a born soldier. As a mathematician he could, no doubt, have risen to considerable eminence, as is, indeed, evidenced by the two books of which he was the author, the one on the ”Constructive Geometry of Plane Curves,” the other on “Descriptive Geometry,” published respectively in 1885 and 1890. During the many years of service Mr. Eagles had rendered to the college, he had won the high opinion of all connected with it, and was admittedly one of the most valued and useful members of the staff. The loss to the college by his untimely death will be deeply felt, not only by the present, but by many of the past students scattered over India and other distant lands. Premonitory symptoms of the illness which proved fatal were apparent during the autumn of 1891, bat he continued his work throughout the term, and his medical advisers thought there could then be nothing seriously wrong. In December, however, he sought further medical opinion, which was to the effect that he was suffering from aneurism of the heart. Absolute and entire rest was prescribed, and Mr. Eagles was relieved of all college duties; but he gradually lost strength, and died on the 27th of March, 1892. He was buried with military honours at Englefield Green, being followed to the grave by the Students’ Volunteer Company, by the President and Staff of the college, and by many friends. Mr. Eagles was elected an Associate in 1871, and a Fellow in 1881, of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and in 1891 was appointed a member of the Board of Examiners in Architecture. For many years he was an Assistant Examiner, and subsequently one of the Chief Examiners in Geometrical Drawing to ‘the Department of Science and Art, and was frequently employed on similar work by the Royal Military Academy and by the Civil Service Commissioners. Mr. Eagles was elected an Associate of the Institution on the 16th of January, 1877.