How to commemorate Edward Cowell in Ipswich?
The name Edward Cowell is well known to English speaking Rubaiyat enthusiasts as a close friend of Edward FitzGerald, and as the man who introduced FitzGerald both to the Persian language and to the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Edward Cowell was born in Ipswich in Suffolk and lived there during his childhood. His family were important business people in the area. Cowell started working in the family business, but he was an exceptional linguist and he went on to become famous as an expert in oriental languages and writings, and Professor of Sanskrit at the University of Cambridge.
It appears that there is no visible recognition in Ipswich of Edward Cowell and his achievements. Charles Mugleston and others are anxious that this omission should be remedied. They have explored the possibility of putting a ‘blue plaque’ on the house where Cowell was born, showing his name, dates and residence there, but for various reasons this is not possible. They are seeking suggestions for other ways in which recognition might be achieved.
Do readers of this blog have any ideas about this, or experience of getting recognition for other notable people in their home areas? Please put your comments below
Omar Khayyam Rubaiyat 
Hi Sandra and Bill
I agree that Prof Cowell deserves some commemoration. If his birthplace is not suitable how about something at Cambridge Uni (he was prof of Sanskrit for many (about 30?) years and a Fellow of Corpus Christi College. Alternatively at the Bodleian in Oxford where he found the original ms. Whether either academic institution would be receptive to the idea is another matter, they have more than enough notable alumni!
All the best
Garry
Sorry, in my last post I failed to recognise that you were looking for ideas for a commemoration in Ipswich. Sorry, but there I don’t have any bright ideas! Garry
How about a blue geometric mosaic?
Garry’s comment provokes us to wonder whether there is any serious recognition of Cowell in Cambridge? We don’t know of any. Nor do we think there is any kind of Cowell appreciation society?
S&B