Sidney Howard Vines, 1849-1934

Sydney Howard Vines was born on December 31, 1849, the son of William Reginald Vines, of Ealing, and the only child of a second marriage. He was educated at a private school. In his early days, owing to the poor health either of himself or his mother, the family spent some time sheep-farming in South America. A visit was also paid to New Zealand, probably in connection with some business interests of his father’s. His education in Science began with a three years’ medical course at Guy’s Hospital; but a medical career did not appeal to him, and in 1872 he went up to Cambridge with a scholarship at Christ’s College. In 1875 he headed the list in the Natural Sciences Tripos and in the following year was elected Fellow and Lecturer of his college.