PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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PRYOR'S ACADEMY
The Plymouth business house of Messrs Pryor's Academy was a private school for shorthand and typewriting. Before the Second World War it was based at number 9 Westwell Street but during the Blitz moved to North Hill, Tavistock Road. Its founder, Mr William Pryor, was born at Wendron in Cornwall in 1859. He at first went to work in a mine there and in his spare time he attended an evening school conducted by Bishop Knight-Bruce. He soon became the local correspondent for the "Western Morning News". In 1883 Mr Pryor moved to Plymouth where he continued his work as a journalist. In 1886 he gave that up to start up the Plymouth Shorthand and Typewriting Academy. At that time it was based in Westwell Street. He also visited local schools, including Plymouth College, to teach direct to the pupils. He was a Freemason, a member of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and served on the committee of the Port of Plymouth Royal Regatta. Mr William Pryor died after a short illness with pneumonia at 8am on the morning of Wednesday March 6th 1901. Sources:
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