Cyril I. Paton’s Diaries and the Manx Language (1910–1949)
Abstract
Cyril I. Paton (1874–1949) was an English botanist who visited the Isle of Man each summer, having family links with the Island. He was also an enthusiast for the Manx language. His diaries are extant from 1905–1949, and there are numerous entries in passing concerned with Manx. As such, they are a singular source for Manx in the first half of the twentieth century. Paton was interested in finding native speakers of Manx and as a keen walker and naturalist he covered most of the Island. Whilst he was not engaged in a systematic search for speakers, nevertheless, there are names of speakers recorded as well as comments on Manx in the Island.
