Introduction to Phrenology by George Burgess & Professor G Rudd

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George Burgess (1829 -1905) practiced Phrenology in the Shopping Arcades, Bristol from 1861 to 1901.

Two books he published about or after 1871, and most likely published in the Bristol area, can be viewed from this site.

The first book is a general guide to Phrenology. The Scriptural passages in it were searched out by George Burgess in 1868.

The second book was used by George Burgess until his retirement in 1901, the readings being entered into this book by George Burgess for his customers to keep.

During the early part of the 20th Century Professor G Rudd did phrenology readings of George Burgess's son-in-law William Edward Baglin (1839-1908) and his grandson Edward William Burgess Baglin (1906-1969). Both these readings are also published here.


Useful Links on Phrenology
The History of Phrenology: A Chronology - The Victorian Web
Life History of George Burgess - And his family on FamilyPedia

Below: Phrenology Ink Head Stamps Used by George Burgess in his Profession

Phrenology in Victorian Scrapbook of Newspaper Articles by George Burgess

During his lifetime George Burgess cut out and stuck over 500 articles from Victorian era newspapers, most of which are copied and transcribed on this side. Two of those articles, entitled `Phrenologist' and one on 'LAVATER (the famous physiognomist') are copied below:

Phrenologist

Phrenologist

LAVATER (the famous physiognomist')

LAVATER (the famous physiognomist')

For Reference: Below - Contents and Page Numbers for Both Phrenology Books by George Burgess

Phrenology Book 1: Contents

Page 1

  • The science of human nature

  • Health (Stomach, Heart, Lungs, Skin, Brain, Health)

Page 2

  • Texture (Fitness, Coarseness)

  • General Form (Measurements, Stature, Size, Bone, Muscle, Flesh, Shape, Perfect)

Page 3

  • Feet (Large, Small, Arched, Flat, Ugly, Beautiful, Walk, Corns)

Page 4

  • Hands (Long, Short, Square, Rough, Smooth, Beautiful, Shaking Hands)

  • Neck (Long, Short, Perfect)

Page 5

  • Ears (Rough, Fine, Projecting)

  • Jaws (Heavy, Light, Round)

  • Chin (Large, Small, Hard, Dimpled, Beautiful)

  • Mouth (Small, Large, Closed, Open, Down, Up, Perfect)

Page 6

  • Voice (Light, Heavy, Plaintive, Rough, Smooth, Winning, Noble)

  • Talk (Rapid, Slow, Regular, Irregular, Plain, Ornamental, Perfect)

  • Lips (Thick, Thin, Calm, Restless, Beautiful)

Page 7

  • Nose (Breadth, Sharpness, Length, Snub, Hollow, Arched, Perfect)

  • Eyes (Large, Small, Bright, Dull, Black, Brown, Hazel, Blue, Beautiful)

Page 8

  • Face (Short, Long, Flat, Keen, Round, Square, Oval)

  • Expression (Permanent, Variable)

Page 9

  • Complexion (Dark, Sallow, Red, Light, Fair, Beautiful)

  • Hair (Dark, Brown, Auburn, Sandy, Light, Straight, Curly, Course, Fine, Flat, Upright, Beautiful)

  • Beauty (Personal beauty, Perfect, Personal Beauty)

Page 10

  • Head (Size, Skulls, Small, Large, Long, Short, Broad, Narrow, Low, High, Round, Square)

Page 11

  • Forehead (Small, Large, High, Low, Reason, Observation, Memory, Brow, Square, Sharp, Perfect)

Page 12

  • Signs of Character in the Head

Page 14

  • General Health

  • Bodily Strength

  • Health of Digestion

  • Health of Blood

  • Health of Lungs

  • Health of Liver

Page 15

  • Health of Nerves

  • Marriage Love

  • Love of Children

  • Friendship

  • Love of Home

  • Continuity

Page 16

  • Courage

  • Destructiveness

  • Temper

  • Sensitiveness

  • Acquisitiveness

  • Secrecy

Page 17

  • Caution

  • Love of Praise

  • Self Esteem

  • Firmness

  • Self-Confidence

  • Conscience

Page 18

  • Hope and Faith

  • Spirituality – Belief

  • Veneration

  • Benevolence – Kindness

  • Constructive Ability

  • Sense of the Beautiful

Page 19

  • Imitative Ability

  • Mirth – Wit - Humor

  • Individuality

  • Perception of Form

  • Perception of Size

  • Perception of Weight

Page 20

  • Perception of Color

  • Order and Method

  • Talent for Numbers

  • Memory of Localities

  • Memory of Events

  • Sense of Time

Page 21

  • Love for Music

  • Flow of Language

  • Reasoning Ability – Causality

  • Comparing Ability – Criticism

  • Human Nature

  • Agreeableness – Courtesy

Phrenology Book 2: Contents

Page 1

  • Signs of Character in the Head

Page 2

  • General Health

Page 3

  • Bodily Strength

  • Health of Digestion

Page 4

  • Health of Blood

  • Health of Lungs

Page 5

  • Health of Liver

  • Health of the Nerve System

Page 6

  • Mental Observation of Individuality

  • Perception of Forms

Page 7

  • Perception of Sizes

  • Perception of Weight

Page 8

  • Perception of Colors

  • Order and Method

Page 9

  • Talent for Numbers

  • Constructive Ability

Page 10

  • Sense of Time

  • Memory of Localities

Page 11

  • Memory of Events

  • Reasoning Ability

Page 12

  • Comparing Ability

  • Human Nature

Page 13

  • Imitative Ability

  • Mirth – Wit – Humor

Page 14

  • Language

  • Ability and Love for Music

Page 15

  • Sense of the Beautiful

  • Agreeableness

Page 16

  • Benevolence – Kindness

  • Hope and Faith

Page 17

  • Spirituality

  • Religious Feeling

Page 18

  • Conscience

  • Self-Esteem

Page 19

  • Love of Praise

  • Caution

Page 20

  • Secrecy – Reserve

  • Self-Love – Economy

Page 21

  • Application

  • Firmness

Page 22

  • Self-Confidence

  • Courage

Page 23

  • Destructiveness

  • Temper

Page 24

  • Sensitiveness

  • Friendship

Page 25

  • Love of Home

  • Love of Children or Pets

Page 26

  • Marriage Love

  • The Guide to Marriage Happiness

Page 28

  • The Guide to Health

Page 29

  • Occupations

Page 35

  • The Value of Phrenology

Page 36

  • Physiognomy The Art of Reading Character

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Book 1 Phrenology by George Burgess ~