s Cecil Wright Mason (1884-1964) - Hull Museums Collections

Cecil Wright Mason (1884-1964)

sponge detail

Cecil Wright Mason, born in 1884, was a native to Hull. He was an engineer with the Yorkshire Water Authority and had a particular interest in hydrogeology. In his spare time he was also the photographic recorder and excursions secretary for the Hull Geological Society.


A Passion for Natural History

Seaweed



Over the years and the many field excursions he undertook, Mason collected geological and natural history specimens from the East Yorkshire region, as well as taking hundreds of photographic slides for the Hull Geological Society.


Material from Mason's collection was donated to Hull Museums in 1962. This gift included specimens of mammoth teeth, tusks and bones.






Bringing Together his Collections



In 1962 a natural history collection formed by the late T. B. Parks was also received. This included about 50 specimens gathered mostly from Kelsey Hill and Brandesburton gravels, along with some Cretaceous invertebrates which were originally collected and prepared by Mason.


Parks and Mason were close colleagues and members of the Hull Geological Society. Indeed, a series of photograph albums donated by Mr and Mrs C. M. Parks show many historic Lincolnshire buildings, many of them having been taken by Mr. Mason.


The Final Assemblage



FlamboroughIn 1964, following Mason's death, a further donation was made by his widow Mrs. L. Mason. This gift consisted of over 100 local geology and natural history specimens, including seaweed specimens preserved on card and in small glass tubes. His archive of fine glass lantern slides, taken on field excursions, was also donated.


Today, Mason's geological and natural history specimens remain some of the best preserved items in Hull Museums' Natural History Collections.


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