From School to Sea - Royal Grammar School Newcastle

Vice-Admiral Collingwood in the Archives

One of Newcastle’s most illustrious figures, Collingwood was educated for a few short years at the Royal Grammar School from the late 1750s, studying under the renowned headmaster Hugh Moises. Though his time at the school was brief, it laid the foundation for a remarkable naval career that would span nearly fifty years.

Collingwood played a key role in some of the most significant naval conflicts of the 18th and early 19th centuries, including the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary Wars, and the Napoleonic Wars.

His most celebrated moment came at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where he served as second-in-command to Lord Nelson. After Nelson’s death during the battle, Collingwood assumed command and helped secure a decisive British victory.

*Portrait of Admiral Collingwood in the Main Hall, 2025. ©RGS Newcastle*

*Engraved portrait of Vice Admiral Collingwood (n.d., c.18th century). Within volume 'Collingwood Collectanea'. [RGS Archives, ref: RGS/ONS/1/1]*

In recognition of his leadership, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet in 1806 and elevated to the peerage. Collingwood died at sea on 7th March 1810 and was laid to rest with full honours beside Nelson in St Paul’s Cathedral.

Explore more about Collingwood, his life and naval career, on the Collingwood Society website: https://collingwoodsociety.co.uk/

*Collingwood's Mediterranean Journal, 1807-10 [RGS Archives, ref: C17/13]*

O Collingwood! thy toils, thy perils past,
Thus dost thou reach thy native shores at last!

Extract from 'Lines, suggested on the death of Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood', published by S Hodgson of Newcastle (1810)

Collingwood in the Archives

The RGS Archives are lucky to care for three special letters written by Collingwood himself.

Two of the letters were written in the months following Trafalgar. They were replies to both the Mayor and Town Clerk of Newcastle respectively, thanking them and Newcastle Council for the gifts given to congratulate him on Trafalgar. The Town Clerk at this time was Nathaniel Clayton, an Old Novo.

The third letter in the collection is particularly poignant for RGS. It is from Collingwood to Sir William Scott (1745-1836), 1st Baron Stowell, dated 2nd June 1809. Lord Stowell is another of our famous Old Novos – attending RGS at a similar time to Collingwood. Stowell’s brother Sir John Scott (1751-1838) was another Old Novo, who went on to become Lord High Chancellor and was made the 1st Earl of Eldon.

*Letter from Cuthbert Collingwood to the Right Honorable Sir William Scott, 2 June 1809. Sent from the Ville de Paris off Toulon. [RGS Archives, ref: RGS/ONS/1/2]*

Transcription: Letter from Collingwood to Lord Stowell

Ville de Paris off Toulon, June 2nd 1809

The Right Honourable Sir William Scott

Dear Sir

I received with great pleasure the kind letter you did me the favour to write to me by Mr. Stoddart, and beg you will believe I shall always have much satisfaction in complying with your wishes – and will be glad to give you a proof of this, should I have an opportunity to promote him - the opportunities do not often occur – for then he must take his chance, with the assurance of my good intentions towards him.

I was much gratified in receiving a letter from you Sir – whose extraordinary talents have been my admiration even from the time we were at school - (now half a Century) - and whose use of them - (I have not been so much out of the world as not to know), commanded my highest respect - with such endowments from nature, it was obvious to all men that in whatever path of life you trod, you would arrive at the highest degree of eminence – my lot depended more on chance, and ocassion [occasion] - which it has ever been my care to improve by a diligent, and unremitted application to my professional duties. I am truly thankful for the view in which my services have appeared – the approbation of my friends has been to me an ample reward.

I beg Sir you will present my best respects & regards to your brother the Lord Chancellor, and yourself be assured of the true esteem with which I have the honour to be,

Dear Sir

Your Obedient & most Humble Servant

Collingwood.

A Monument in Newcastle

A further fascinating item in the Collingwood collection are a series of extracts from published notes of meetings of the Council of Newcastle, relating to plans for Collingwood's memorial statue.

One extract from 1840 notes that the old site of RGS [on Westgate Road] was proposed as the location of the Collingwood memorial, as the school was soon to be demolished to make way for the Central Station developments. But it was not to be, and members instead voted for the memorial to be located at Tynemouth, where it still stands proudly today.

*Extract from published notes of meetings of the Council of Newcastle, relating to Collingwood's memorial (1838-1845). Within volume 'Collingwood Collectanea'. [RGS Archives, ref: RGS/ONS/1/1]*

Explore the Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood Collection in the RGS Archives catalogue.

*Order of Service for the Special Service, Centenary Commemoration of the Death of Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood. 7 Mar 1910. Within volume 'Collingwood Collectanea'. [RGS Archives, ref: RGS/ONS/1/1]*

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