Abstract
BY the death of Sir Laurence Gomme on February 23, at sixty-two years of age, London has lost a most devoted son who loved her with an affection that was not merely filial, but was based upon an exhaustive knowledge of her history and a profound faith in her destiny; more than that, he spent all his life in her service. In early life Sir Laurence Gomme entered first the service of the Fulham District Board of Works, and then that of the Metropolitan Board of Works; when the London County Council was established he joined the Comptroller's Department, then he was made head of the Statistical Department, and in 1900 was appointed Clerk to the Council, which high office he held until last March. He always worked very hard, often up to the very limit of his powers, and about two years ago he had a serious breakdown in health, from which he never fully recovered. Only those conversant with the scope of the London County Council can have any idea of what London owes to him. His annual “Statistical Abstract” of the L.C.C. has served as a model for other municipal bodies. His first book, “Index of Municipal Offices,” was published in 1879; it was followed by several others, among which may be mentioned, “The London County Council” (1888), “Lectures on the Principles of Local Government” (1898), “London Statutes” (1907), “The Governance of London” (1907), “London, 1837–1897” (1898), “The Making of London” (1912), “London” (1916).
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HADDON, A. Sir Laurence Gomme . Nature 97, 11 (1916). https://doi.org/10.1038/097011a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/097011a0