William Fordyce Mavor


William Fordyce Mavor was a Scottish teacher, priest and compiler of educational books, many of which passed through numerous editions. He also invented a system of shorthand, which he explained in a treatise entitled ‘Universal Stenography’, first published in 1779. He is buried in the church at Woodstock, Oxfordshire, where there is a commemorative plaque.

Life

William Fordyce Mavor was born in New Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. In 1775 he became an assistant at a school in Burford, Oxfordshire, and he later taught at Woodstock. After providing writing tuition to the children of George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough, he obtained a title for holy orders in 1781. Eight years later, he obtained the vicarage of Hurley, Berkshire, which he retained until his death, and was awarded an LL.D degree by University of Aberdeen. Subsequently, thanks to the Duke, he became rector of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire, which he exchanged in 1810 for the rectory of Bladon-with-Woodstock. He became headmaster of Woodstock Grammar School in July 1810.
Mavor was first elected mayor of Woodstock in 1808, and went on to hold mayoral office in the town 10 times.

Published works

Mavor is perhaps best remembered for The English Spelling Book, first published in 1801 and with many later editions. His other writings are:
Mavor also published a new edition of Anthony Blackwall's Introduction to the Classics, 1809. He abridged Bourgoanne's State of Spain, and edited with notes and a glossary Thomas Tusser's Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandrie. A selection of his works was published as Miscellanies.