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Celebrating Hampshire Historians

Chute, Chaloner William

01.08.1838 - 20.05.1892

Chaloner was the eldest son of William Lyde Wiggett who took the surname Chute when he inherited the Vyne Estate situated in the parish of Sherbone St John, just north of Basingstoke. Chaloner was ‘educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford; gained the Ireland University Scholarship in 1860; took his degree with first class classical honours in 1861’, [and] was awarded his M.A, in 1864. A Fellow of Magdalen College from 1861, he was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in June 1865 and gave up his fellowship in 1875.

In 1885 he was elected a fellow of Winchester College. This meant that he was a member of the Governing Body of the school, which had been established under the terms of the Public Schools Act of 1868. He served in this capacity until his death.

In 1875 Chaloner had married Eleanor Jane Portal, second daughter of Wyndham Spencer Portal, with whom he had three sons. Once settled at the Vyne, as it was put in a newspaper obituary: ‘His time was chiefly spent within the circle of his own parish and property, where he never ceased to cultivate and maintain those friendly and personal relations which should exist between a landlord and his tenants.’ It was during this period that he researched, wrote and published his history of the Vyne. He died at the relatively young age of 53.

Sources

  • Wikipedia

  • Clifton Society, 2 June 1892, p.10.

Portrait

Chaloner William Chute

Contribution to county’s history

Chute can be said to have combined aspects of architectural history and social history, albeit skewed towards the elite. His work is profusely and engagingly illustrated with sketches, photographs and diagrams and is also indexed. It would undoubtedly encourage someone unfamiliar with the Vyne, which is now owned by the National Trust, to make a visit.

Relevant published works

  • A History of the Vyne in Hampshire, being a short account of the building & antiquities of that house ... and of persons who have at some time lived there (Winchester: Jacob & Johnson, 1888)

Critical Comments

Other Comments

Chute is an example of one of those ‘high status’ historians, who was  inspired by his inheritance and immediate surroundings to research their past and keen to share his findings with a wider audience.

Contributor

Roger Ottewill (26 April 2024)

Keywords

Chute family history, The Vyne

Any queries or further suggestions for this part of the list should be addressed to celebrating@hantsfieldclub.org.uk.

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