Publications
Gideon Algernon Mantell, LL.D., F.R.G.S., F.R.S., Surgeon and Geologist, by Sidney Spokes, M.R.C.S., published 1927 (xv + 263 pp., John Bale, Sons and Daniel and Son Ltd.) accessible at: & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Review by W. H. G. [W. H. Godfrey] in Sussex Notes and Queries, May 1928:Gideon Mantell's reputation as a geologist is world-wide, Lewes is proud of him, and this book is a notable piece of Sussex history. The name of Mantell occurs frequently in our county records and since the days of Gideon's ancestor, Thomas Mantell, (headborough of Lewes, 1562, and constable 1572), the family has been well-known in the County town. Born in 1790, within its walls, Mantell went to London to take his medical degree and returned to his native town to practice in 1811, and it was here that he entered, with such surprising energy and brilliance upon the double activities of surgeon and geologist. He won a conspicuous position in his profession and at the same time opened up new worlds by his scientific studies. In Castle Place (the two centre houses of a group of four, built in 1812 on the site of the White Horse Inn) which he remodelled as we see it to-day and adorned with the "Ammonite order", he gathered together the famous, collection of fossil remains from Sussex which was eventually acquired by the nation and now forms part of the British Museum of Natural History at South Kensington. Tilgate Forest was his happy hunting ground, and it was from the study of Sussex geology that he drew those weighty inferences that have been so important a factor in the modern development of the Science. Mantell moved to Brighton in 1833 and five years later, broken in health by his long labours and by disappointment, went to live in London. It was during his residence in Sussex that his chief discoveries were made and his important works were written.
The degree in which a man's character lives again in the memory of his friends, both contemporary and posthumous, is eloquently shown in this book. The author came to Lewes unwitting of the task before him; he found Mantell's house ready for a tenant, inviting him to enter; and when he took up his residence, one of the first things he did was to fix a commemorative stone to its walls. Here he has collected much local information, here he has studied the transcripts of the long and illuminating correspondence with Professor Silliman of Yale University, and thus, with the aid of the genius loci, he has now produced a more enduring memorial than stone, of a man whose life had its full share of the tragedy which is so often attendant upon greatness. As a boy Mantell was fascinated by the ruins of Lewes Priory; he unearthed many important finds, and presented amongst other relics the splendid St. Peter Capital to the British Museum. He wrote many interesting papers concerning the town, its events, topography and antiquities. Indeed, Mantell deserved the tribute of our grateful memory in so many ways, that we are glad the debt is at last recognised and in part at any rate discharged by Mr. Spokes' appreciative volume. The illustrations add to the value of the book, an excellent photograph of Castle Place, Lewes, being justly given pride of place, as frontispiece.
The degree in which a man's character lives again in the memory of his friends, both contemporary and posthumous, is eloquently shown in this book. The author came to Lewes unwitting of the task before him; he found Mantell's house ready for a tenant, inviting him to enter; and when he took up his residence, one of the first things he did was to fix a commemorative stone to its walls. Here he has collected much local information, here he has studied the transcripts of the long and illuminating correspondence with Professor Silliman of Yale University, and thus, with the aid of the genius loci, he has now produced a more enduring memorial than stone, of a man whose life had its full share of the tragedy which is so often attendant upon greatness. As a boy Mantell was fascinated by the ruins of Lewes Priory; he unearthed many important finds, and presented amongst other relics the splendid St. Peter Capital to the British Museum. He wrote many interesting papers concerning the town, its events, topography and antiquities. Indeed, Mantell deserved the tribute of our grateful memory in so many ways, that we are glad the debt is at last recognised and in part at any rate discharged by Mr. Spokes' appreciative volume. The illustrations add to the value of the book, an excellent photograph of Castle Place, Lewes, being justly given pride of place, as frontispiece.
Discovery of a Carthaginian Coin near the Caburn, by Sidney Spokes, M.R.C.S., published 1927 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 68, article, pp.57-59) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2153] & The Keep [LIB/500286] & S.A.S. library
Report of Local Secretary. Lewes, by Sidney Spokes, published 1928 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 69, notes & queries, pp.234-235) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2154] & The Keep [LIB/500287] & S.A.S. library
Report of Local Secretary. Lewes, by Sidney Spokes, published 1929 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 70, notes & queries, pp.221-222) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2155] & The Keep [LIB/500359] & S.A.S. library
Glyndebourne Household Memoranda, by Dr. Spokes, published February 1929 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. II no. 5, note, pp.152-154) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8951] & The Keep [LIB/500204] & S.A.S. library
Report of Local Secretary. Lewes, by Sidney Spokes, published 1930 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 71, notes & queries, pp.265-266) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2156] & The Keep [LIB/500358] & S.A.S. library
Report of Local Secretary. Lewes, by Sidney Spokes, published 1931 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 72, notes & queries, pp.278-279) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2157] & The Keep [LIB/500357] & S.A.S. library
Report of Local Secretary. Lewes, by Sidney Spokes, published 1932 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 73, notes & queries, pp.207-208) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2158] & The Keep [LIB/500356] & S.A.S. library
A Bronze Age Barrow, by Sidney Spokes, published 1932 in Sussex County Magazine (vol. VI no. 10, article, pp.651-656) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9325] & The Keep [LIB/500175]
Report of Local Secretary. Lewes, by Sidney Spokes, published 1933 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 74, notes & queries, pp.248-250) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2159] & The Keep [LIB/500355] & S.A.S. library
Roman and Pre-Roman Pottery found in Little Horsted: I) Roman Pottery, II) Pre-Roman Pottery, by Sidney Spokes, published May 1933 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. IV no. 5, article, pp.150-151) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2203][Lib 8222][Lib 8861] & The Keep [LIB/500206] & S.A.S. library
Recent Finds, Lewes, by S. S. [S. Spokes], published February 1935 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. V no. 5, note, pp.157-158) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2204][Lib 8223][Lib 8862] & The Keep [LIB/500207] & S.A.S. library
Gideon Mantell and His Journal , by Sidney Spokes, published August 1936 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. VI no. 3, article, pp.74-78) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12537][Lib 8863][Lib 8224] & The Keep [LIB/500208] & S.A.S. library
Controversial Medals of the Reformation, by Sidney Spokes, published May 1938 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. VII no. 2, article, pp.51-52) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12536][Lib 8864][Lib 2206] & The Keep [LIB/500209] & S.A.S. library