Farmer, Richard (1758-1797)

Comments

VENN
Adm. pens. (age 18) at EMMANUEL, Apr. 12, 1753. [2nd] s. of Richard, woolman and maltster [‘the descendant of a family long seated at Ratcliffe Culey, Sheepy, Leics.’]. B. [Aug. 28, 1735], at Leicester. School, Leicester (Mr Andrews). ' Matric. Easter, 1753; Scholar, 1754; B.A. 1757; M.A. 1760; B.D. 1767; D.D. 1775. Adm. ad eundem at Oxford, 1796. Fellow, 1759. Tutor, 1760. Master, 1775-97. Vice-Chancellor, 1775-6 and 1787-8. Proctor, 1765. Protobibliothecarius, 1778. F.S.A., 1763. Lady Margaret's Preacher, 1774. Ord. priest (Ely) Feb. 15, 1761; C. of Swavesey, Cambs., c. 1760 ‘for many years.’ Preb. and Chancellor of Lichfield, 1780. Preb. of Canterbury, 1782. Preb. of St Paul's, London, 1788. ‘During his first term of office as Vice-Chancellor, the University voted an address to the King in support of the policy of the Government towards America. A number of the Caput, however, refused to give up the key of the place containing the University Seal, whereupon Farmer forced the door with a sledge-hammer.’ Eccentric in his ways, and unkempt in his appearance, he was said ‘to have loved three things above all others, namely, old port, old clothes, old books.’ Extremely popular in his own college, and in the University he exercised great influence. Author, Essay on the Learning of Shakespeare. Began a work on the History and Antiquities of the Town of Leicester, to be paid for by subscription, but soon relinquished it and returned the subscriptions. Died Sept. 8, 1797, at Emmanuel Lodge after a long illness, and was buried in the Chapel. A painting (1778) by John Downman, is in the Fitzwilliam Museum; a small portrait is reproduced in Malone's edition of Shakespeare. His library, rich in scarce tracts and Old English literature, was sold in London in 1798. Brother of John (1757). (D.N.B.; G. Mag., 1797, II. 545, 805, 888, 1068; Gunning, Reminiscences, I. 54, 174-87; Smyth, Simeon and Church Order, 155-6; Univ. Hist. Reg., 6, note 8.)

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