RAYLEIGH, John William Strutt, third Baron (1842-1919). Mathematician and physicist.
Autograph Letter Signed ('Rayleigh'), in pencil as usual, 2 pages 8vo (lightly tipped to an album leaf), Terling Place, Witham, Essex, 3 December 1899. Eliciting Parker's assistance in setting up a fund 'to help equip volunteers of Yeomanry that may come from the county'.

Rayleigh refers to volunteers to fight in the Boer War as members of the Imperial Yeomanry. This was a volunteer cavalry regiment formed after a recent string of defeats by the Boers. The force was formed from members of standing yeomanry supplemented by many middle or upper class men.

'I think it is clear that as Lord Lieut. I should have to institute a fund ...'

Rayleigh was at this time Lord Lieutenant of Essex.
[No: 26542]