Celebrating Hampshire Historians

Spranger, William Francis Gummer

1848 - 1917

Born in Bridport, Spranger’s higher education was undertaken at Oxford. He spent some of his early life in Hursley where he came under the influence of John Keble. Moving to Southampton in the 1880s, he lived initially at Windsor House, Cumberland Place, but later he inherited his father-in-law’s estate at Springhill Court in Hill Lane. This he rebuilt and enlarged.

Spranger was very active in the educational sphere serving on the Southampton School Board and the governing body of Southampton University College. Between 1895 and 1902 he was a Conservative member of the Borough Council.

He was also a member of the Southampton Record Society and served as President of the Field Club from 1904-1906. He is probably best remembered for his philanthropy which took a variety of forms. For example, ‘He spent the biggest part of his life looking out for promising boys and then putting them in the way of carving a promising career for themselves by creating educational avenues for them which would otherwise been closed’. His contribution to the life of Southampton was such that at the time of his death ‘the sympathy of the whole of the townspeople … [was] offered to the family in their bereavement’(Hampshire Advertiser, 16.06.1917)

Sources

• http://sotonopedia.wikidot.com/page-browse:spranger-william-francis-gummer

• Hampshire Advertiser, 16.06.1917

• Martin Brisland, ‘His Work Still Gives Joy’, Daily Echo, 21.08.2020.

Portrait

From Sotonpedia

Contribution to county’s history

Spranger’s contribution was not through publication but primarily in restoring one of Southampton’s iconic historic buildings (Tudor House, a Grade 1 listed building). Described as ‘extensive and meticulous restoration work’ this was undertaken in the period 1898-1910 (Southern Daily Echo, 21.08.2020).

Relevant published works

• Not applicable

Critical Comments

Interestingly Spranger (originally Gummer) adopted his father-in-law’s surname. The Rev Richard Spranger was a clergyman of independent means who had moved to Hursley to assist the Rev John Keble in a voluntary capacity. Spranger married his daughter Mary in January 1873.

Other Comments

Contributor

Roger Ottewill (09.06.2022)

Key Words

Southampton, Southampton Record Society, Tudor House Southampton

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