H. Wilfrid Armitage

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Hieronymus Wilfrid Armitage (H. Wilfrid Armitage)

First Impressions

The gentleman in front of you is tall, nearly 6 feet in height, lanky and yet broad-shouldered, and appears to be in his early to mid seventies. A distinguished man with white hair and a receding hairline, he has piercing electric blue eyes that seem to twinkle with happiness and not a small hint of mischievousness. He has a slight ruddy complexion, and a mouth that seems to be predisposed to a half-smile, but partially hidden by a bushy mustache.

Now here is a man who likes his tweed. He is wearing a three-piece heather-coloured Harris tweed suit, consisting of a 3-buttoned single-breasted jacket, left open, over a 6-buttoned vest, with exposed gold pocketwatch chain. Overall, the suit itself is unpressed, but does not look shabby. Under the suit, he is wearing an ivory buttoned shirt with a blue and red striped necktie. He wears a bleached-white panama hat with brown-ribboned hat band - it seems very well made. His shoes are of a deep brown leather, and seem study, worn, and well-cared for.

Slung across his left shoulder, he carries an ancient-looking brown leather briefcase with numerous nicks and scratches in the side, but, again, well-oiled and well-used. A monogram near the center of the case reads in small block letters 'H.W.A.' In his right hand, he carries a black umbrella with wooden handle, almost as if it was a cane. Still, with his accessories, the gentlemen carries an air about him of someone who is prepared for any occurrence or contingency.

The third finger of his left hand is adorned with a simple gold ring. He is not exactly charismatic.

Background

The family of H. Wilfrid Armitage hails from Tuscany, Italy, the only child of a university professor from the Università degli Studi di Firenze transplanted from London, England, and a local nature photographer.

Wilfrid's family grew up bilingual in both English and Italian, and he taught himself French and Latin, merely from exposure and self-interest. Wilfrid, in general, began a life-long love affair with learning. Eventually, he did go though university, studying a bit of every subject, but finding his love with science, nature, and archeology. On the side, he enjoys the outdoors, finding an escape in anything outdoors, from short walks in the park, to extensive month-long treks in the mountains. His love of hikes in the mountains (the relatively nearby Italian Alps and the Dolomites) and the expansive scenery eventually led him to Qvarne IV and the 'University of the Agonies,' nestled amongst the clouds in the eponymous mountain range later in his life.

When Wilfrid graduated university, he was eager to explore the outside world. One of the first things that he decided upon graduating was to join up with Starfleet, mostly because of his yearnings for exploration, but also spurred on by a failure to capture the romantic attention of a law student from Harvard, a young Betazoid woman whose stunning good looks were matched only for her passion and drive to get degrees in both law and medicine. He had read many books, including those by Charles Darwin, and he dreamt of becoming a naturalist much like Darwin was on the HMS Beagle. Because of this, he sought to sign up as a Science Officer, travelling from star system to star system, exploring and making new discoveries as he went along. In addition, he had been working at university in a library part-time, quietly reading up on his unfulfilled passions: the study of ancient cultures and peoples. It was only natural that someone of his age and experiences sought to know everything he could about the universe at large. Wilfrid has a deep love of science, especially esoteric history, and a curiosity in all subjects fueled by years of schooling and his own drive.

In Starfleet, these dreams came true aboard his first assignment, the USS Lovell. He worked his way through the scientific ranks, and eventually becoming the ship's Operations Officer in his second tour. It was also here that he (finally) met the love of his life, an Ensign named Barbara Malgorzata who specialized in neurochemistry and epidemiology. After a courtship of a year, they were married amidst the light of NGC 6611 by the Captain of the Lovell. They decided to settle down and have a family, transferring to Starfleet Academy to have a life of their own back on Earth. However, it was discovered in medical exams that they could not naturally conceive children. Although artificial options were available to them, they decided that destiny and their own beliefs would not allow them to have children, and they continued on in their lives together, fulfilled, but with a slight twinge of sadness.

As a teacher at the Academy, Wilfrid settled in easy enough at first, but became initially disenchanted by what he saw as a lack of drive among the cadets, seeking only to fulfill the least requirements needed to complete their course of study. He could not understand how someone could not have drive and passion within themselves for study and learning, especially at Starfleet Academy, supposedly where the best and the brightest came to learn, and began to change his curriculum to teach his students the need for internal drive and passion: he worked his students hard, demanded the best from them, and expected no less than perfection. Wilfrid's classes began to have the reputation of extreme difficulty, and many students either failed or dropped out due to his methods. Still, a small group of cadets sought out his class, wanting a challenge and eager to study. Those cadets struggled, but through their own drive, were able to succeed, and later most went on to be, if not excellent Starfleet captains and admirals, then leaders in their field outside Starfleet, in business, science, and the arts. Wilfrid's passion for instilling and promoting excellence rather than merely passing mediocre students earned him the reputation of an excellent instructor, and was eventually made a full professor, and finally department head of exoarcheolgy before retiring from the Academy.

The first year of retirement for Wilfrid and Barbara was spent exploring the galaxy in their own private yacht, going to planets known for their history and beauty, but after a while, they both became bored by they travels. It took a while for them to figure out, but what Wilfrid and Barbara missed the most were their "children," the various cadets that they took under their wing during the days at the Academy, holding weekly dinners for his classes, Wilfrid playing the part of benevolent-but-stern older uncle, and Barbara the aunt who always gave extra helpings of bread pudding. They missed the academic life, but wanted to go somewhere where their efforts at teaching would not be lost on the general populace. Finally, Wilfrid traveled to Qvarne IV and met with the dean of the 'Universitas Magistrorum et Scholarium Agoniensis,' nestled high in the mountains of the Agonies, reminding him of his life in northern Italy. Wilfrid was suitably impressed by the drive of the Qvarni people, and took great pleasure in instructing the students at the University. Not only did he challenge them, as he did at the Academy, but he found himself surprised and pleased that they question him as well, and debates on historical events and their impact on the galaxy as a whole often lasted all through the night, with Barbara often bringing tea and cookies to the group, and very often putting Wilfrid and his students in their place with a sharp and witty anecdote.

All of that changed with the Kzinti invasion, and rather than give up and surrender to an all-but-certain death, the teachers and the student body assembled themselves into an ad-hoc battalion, and successfully fought off a Kzinti siege for several months, before having to retreat into the caves and rocky outcroppings, conducting guerrilla warfare against the aggressors. It was during this time that Barbara was killed by the Kzinti invasion force; Wilfrid never allowed himself to grieve during the incessant battles and skirmishes, and instead stoically took the loss and participated in the Qvarni underground against the incursion, staying with students and guiding them using his knowledge of Starfleet tactics and his own knowledge of military tactics used in historical times, often quoting Charlemagne, Patton, and other famous generals. With the return of Prosper and Grimkesh Delukunasi, and a return to his life as 'Professor Armitage,' Wilfrid realized just how alone he was... his weekly dinners and debates were never the same, as he came to realize that the students who he considered his children and grandchildren were missing their Mother and Grandmother: he missed his wife, lover, and best friend in the entire universe. After a few years, he retired from the University as Professor Emeritus.

Having been widowed, and the general emptiness of his life since the invasion, Wilfrid fell into a depression, and eventually left Qvarne IV. He returned to his home in Montecatini Terme, where he came to terms with his loss in the foothills of central Tuscany. After a while, he was able to return to happier times, revisiting portions of his childhood, and attempting to regain what he once had - a passion and drive for living, learning, and exploring. Finally, with a newfound zest for life, he packed his clothes and ventured back into his life, armed with his notebook, some extraordinary olive oil, and a renewed desire of exploration and seeking out knowledge. As such, the Professor becomes the Student once more.

Personality

Wilfrid has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and this is reflected in his diverse areas of scientific interest- biology, chemistry, physics, and the like. He sees himself as a naturalist, studying the universe around him and exploring on a ship much like a young Charles Darwin did. He revels in the outdoors, and is an avid hiker, camper, and rock climber, even in his old age; he enjoys the chaos of an away mission over the order of a clean laboratory or library. He is a romantic, loves fine brandy, and tends to wear his heart on his sleeve to those close to him. Wilfrid, however, tends to be very pragmatic, and does not suffer fools kindly; he will gladly point out errors or correct people, even starship captains. He is a perfectionist, and seeks perfection in others, but this does not make him dour; instead, he often cajoles, taunts, or even prods others to excellence, extolling the virtues of hard work and measured thought and planning. Still, he is logical and organized in his thoughts, and may become impatient with those who do not see fact as immediate as he does. Sometimes this gives him the reputation of a crotchety old man, but to those who know him well, this is a sign of caring and affection; he gives no attention or advice to those he thinks little of.

Personal Data

Born July 22nd, 2330, Montecatini Terme, Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy, Mediterranean Alliance, United Earth.

Academic Record

Aug 2348 - 18 - Entered Oxford University, Jesus College. Specialization in Exoarchaeology
Jun 2356 - 25 - Completed BFA and MFA. Member Oxford University Scientific Society.
Jun 2358 - 28 - Graduated DSci.

Starfleet Service Record

Sep 2358 - 29 - Entered Starfleet Academy.

- Major course of study in Science Divsion. Accelerated course

Jun 2362 - 31 - Graduated Starfleet Academy.
Jun 2362 - 31 - Commissioned as Ensign, reported for duty aboard USS Lovell as Science Officer - Exoarchaeology Specialist.
Dec 2463 - 33 - Promotion to Lieutenant JG, Lead Science Officer, Gamma Shift
Jun 2367 - 36 - Promotion to full Lieutenant, Lead Science Officer, Beta Shift
Aug 2367 - 37 - 2nd Tour USS Lovell, Operations Officer, Alpha Shift
Aug 2372 - 42 - Transfer to Starfleet Academy, Asst. Professor: Exoarchaeology

- Taught archeology, history, study of rise of pre-warp civilizations

Sep 2377 - 47 - Promoted Full Professor (Lieutenant Commander)
Sep 2382 - 52 - Promoted to Commander
Sep 2387 - 57 - Promoted to Captain (Department Head, Chair of Archaeology)
Sep 2398 - 68 - Retired from Starfleet with 32 years of service (Honorary Title of Commodore)

Post-Starfleet Personal Data

Sep 2398 - 68 - Gallivanted across the galaxy with his wife Barbara Malgorzata
Sep 2399 - 69 - Accepted professorship in Exoarchaeology on Qvarne IV at "University of the Agonies"
Mar 2405 - 74 - Kzinti Invasion: Using Starfleet and military history knowledge, helped in holdout against Kzinti in mountain fighting. His wife was killed in the invasion.
Sep 2405 - 75 - Professor Emeritus Exoarchaeology "University of the Agonies"
Sep 2407 - 77 - Retired as Professor Emeritus, moved back to Earth

H. Wilfrid Armitage - ATS Wiki