According to “Index to the Bible Trasury” (Chapter Two, 4th ed. 1995, p. vi) the initials “R. B.” might be “R. Beacon (Father or Son)”.
“Thoughts on the Parables in Matt. 13” was first published in “The Bible Treasury” 1857 (January issue, p. 130 etc.) and signed with “R. B.” (p. 306). The author was most probably born before 1835, probably earlier.
“R. B.” was still represented in June 1888 in “The Bible Treasury”.
The first Text with “R. B. jun.” in “The Bile Treasury” was, as far as I see, in July 1888.
In March 1894 we have “R. B. (transcribed by R. B. jun.)”
Since June 1900 we have again “R. B.”, the last time, as far as I see, in October 1913.
My rough estimate is that R. Beacon Father lived about 1830 – 1890, and R. Reacon Son about 1855 – 1920.
Looking at the hairstyle, beard and clothing, it seems more likely to me that the person in the picture is the junior – whereas the author of the writing about Matthew 13 was definitely the father.
Martin
Addendum:
1) The only location I could find in connection with “R. B. (jun.)” was Bournemouth (The Bible Monthly 1937, p. 223, reprinted from The Bible Treasury 1888, p. 160 where the location is missing.)
2) Using census reports and presuming that “Beacon” was the right spelling (and not “Bacon” or otherwise) I guess that
a) the father was Robert Beacon living in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey. Profession: Writing Clerck (States Office) (1871: Accountant Slater Office). Wife: Martha Beacon (nee de Putron) (born about 1822; married 1851 or earlier).
b) Son: Robert Beacon, born about 1848 in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey. Living in Bournemouth, Hampshire. His mother Martha is give as “widowed” in 1901.
3) An article by “R. B.” in “The Christian Annotator” 1854 (p. 111) argues against consuming blood. This was the common opinion among “Brethren”, but only held by few in Christianity. So I would guess that this is our R. Beacon (senior, of course). He also wrote a few other thoughts.
4) “R. B.” has also articles in “The Bible Monthly” until 1931. (Further texts with “R. B.” are repetitions of earlier ones.)
Martin
Further addition: Two books by Robert Beacon:
Folua Caduca and Poems
The second book contains the photograph before the title page. The book is quoted in The Bible Treasury 1914, p. 75. So we can be sure that "R." is "Robert". The book also makes allusions to Guernsey and Bournemouth.
Martin
Robert Beacon Jr., B.A. – 1848 ~ 25th Aug. 1936.
Birth: St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands.
Occupation: Author & Hymn Writer.
Death: Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.
Siblings:
Martha - c1850 ~ 3rd January 1918.
Alice – 13th February 1857 ~ 12th June 1915
Francis – 1st February 1860 ~ 9th September 1876.
William de Putron – 22nd May 1866 ~ 17th December 1866.
Father: Robert Beacon Sr. – 1819 ~ September 1897.
Birth: Devon, England.
Married on 21st April 1846.
Death: Guernsey, Channel Islands.
Burial: Brothers Cemetery, St Peter Port, Guernsey.
Mother: Martha de Putron – 29th Oct. 1826 ~ June 1911.
