[DREGHORN] Some info on this remarkable British gentleman

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 11:22

There are many men I admire for their knowledge of (Northern) Cyprus; to name a few: Enlart, Jeffery, Edbury, Hill and Gunnis. But I wish I could walk in the footsteps and shadow of the late Dr William ("Bill") Dreghorn, who unfortunately died just before I first visited Cyprus. He is the man who took Cyprus' history to 'the people' the way it should be done (I think).

He, at the age of 90, wrote something we all should read at least once. I found a copy in the Pegasos Bar in Karaoğlanoğlu,

http://www.allcrusades.com/BB_pics/S3500228_72.jpg

where it had a minor place and behind broken glass. Although the copy was not mine I had it repaired and framed again - but, in vain. The glass was broken again and I don't know where Dreghorn's "Last words" are now.

I hope you like to read the following text (picture Photoshopped and edited in Graphicconverter): http://www.allcrusades.com/BB_pics/S3500225a_72_90.jpg

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 11:30

I now see that Mr Dreghorn's text may be a bit difficult to read - he won't blame me for what I'm doing now:



Part 1 (top): http://www.allcrusades.com/BB_pics/S3500225a_1_72_90.jpg



Part 2 (bottom): http://www.allcrusades.com/BB_pics/S3500225a_2_72_90.jpg

winslow


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 332

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 11:52

Thank you DC.

Winslow.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 12:03

Some board members may have known Mr Dreghorn s.t. - this is my contribution to honour his memory.

http://www.allcrusades.com/BB_pics/S3500076_william_dreghorn_72.jpg

louthlass


Joined: 09/11/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 12:10

We had the honour of knowing this remarkable gentleman, a historian, archaeologist, geologist and a superb artist. What he didn't know about Cyprus wasn't worth knowing. He left all his research to the archives in Girne. God bless him.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 12:26

A nicely restored (Venetian, vaulted) hall on the east side of Kyrenia Castle is dedicated to Dr William Dreghorn and there you'll find some fine examples of his work as an historian/artist. Not to be missed when you visit the castle!

http://www.allcrusades.com/BB_pics/s3500077.jpg

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 13:38

Good info Hans.

Rottolover



Joined: 21/06/2009
Posts: 519

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 14:51

Thanks Hans.



Were it not for people like you who take the time and trouble to disseminate this kind of fascinating information, people like me would probably remain ignorant of little historical treasures such as this gentleman.



Can we know a bit more about his life?

Jetski


Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 584

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 15:31

Quite right Hans - not enough is publicised about this remarkable man. There's a number of his books and pamphlets available here (but you have to look!) and all, of course, out of print. He really was a founder member of 'popular science' and made information available and interesting to all - and not just in this country. His writings on the Avon Gorge and the Forest of Dean are invaluable to local geologists in the UK.



Bill was a lecturer in Geology at Bristol before retiring here to Kyrenia. His works include:



A guide to the Atiquities of Kyrenia (1982)

Rocks and Scenery in the Kyrenia region (1971)

Famagusta and Salamis (1985)

Girne Castle (1985)

Kantara Castle (1985)

Hilarion Castle (1985)

Guide to the Troodos Mountains (1973)

and Landforms in the Girne Range (1978)



These are just some of those in my local collection - there's a few more. All are good general reading (apart from the last which has a more academic focus).

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 18:01

Some of his books can be read online, though the quality of the illustrations havae not scanned all that well.

I'd be interested to know if his other books are available.

http://www.stwing.upenn.edu/~durduran/cytown.html

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 19:36

There is a street named after him in Famagusta as well near the port.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 19:57

RE msg 11, gooligan: (...) There is a street named after him in Famagusta as well near the port. (...)

> Do you mean the port of Kyrenia or Famagusta?

This is his house and street in Famagusta: http://www.allcrusades.com/BB_pics/Fam_Dreghorn_house_72.jpg

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 20:09

More about "Bill" Dreghorn: http://www.allcrusades.com/CASTLES/CYPRUS/KARAOGLANOGLU/dreghorn-last-words-txt-1.html

About "his" street: http://www.allcrusades.com/CASTLES/CYPRUS/KARAOGLANOGLU/fam_dreghorn_street/dreghorn-street-txt-1.html

And a bio: http://www.allcrusades.com/CASTLES/CYPRUS/FAMAGUSTA/william-dreghorn/william_dreghorn_bio.html

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 20:11

Dr William ("Bill") Dreghorn lived from 1908 - † 2001.

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 21:02

Hans,the street is in Famagusta.If you stand facing the big Mosque in the main square so you have the HSBC bank on your right,go down the street on your left towards the port and you will see another bank on a corner half way down that street,turn right there and William Dreghorn Sokak is around there.

Snaefell



Joined: 07/06/2009
Posts: 266

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 21:02

Thanks for all the info DC. He sounds as if he was a very interesting and knowledgable man.

littlejohn


Joined: 09/03/2009
Posts: 316

Message Posted:
23/03/2010 23:38

Brilliant article - and so true !!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
24/03/2010 08:25

RE msg 15, gooligan: (...) Hans,the street is in Famagusta.If you stand facing the big Mosque in the main square so you have the HSBC bank on your right,go down the street on your left towards the port and you will see another bank on a corner half way down that street,turn right there and William Dreghorn Sokak is around there. (...)

=> Thanks, gooligan, I now know what you mean. It must be the back of the Archbishop's palace (near TürkBank on the corner). It may be a good idea to add the name of this street to my map of medieval Famagusta.

http://www.allcrusades.com/CASTLES/CYPRUS/FAMAGUSTA/MAPS/famagusta_town_map_1.html