Lieutenant Rypinski, whose name appears at the foot of the prize certificate, was drawing and French master at the school in the 1850's. He had fled from Poland during the uprising of 1830 and as an émigré acquired a considerable literary reputation.'With the help of Bruce Castle Museum, we also found some more information about Lieutenant Rypinski. In a document titled ‘Political refugees from Europe’ it quotes:

“Undoubtedly the most distinguished of the refugees of that time resident in Tottenham was the poet Alexander Rypinski. He was not a Pole by birth, but a polonised Byelorussian nobleman, although he spoke and wrote in both languages”

Apparently Rypinski had his own printing press in Grove Place, Tottenham and he was also a keen photographer, although none of his plates remain. Lieut A Rypinski , Drawing Master

In 1858 Rypinski returned to his homeland where he died two years later