Clarke, Edward Daniel (1795-1822)

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IN VENN
Adm. sizar at JESUS, Oct. 20, 1785. 2nd s. of Edward (1748), V. of Willingdon, Sussex. B. there June 5, 1769. School, Tonbridge. Rustat Scholar, 1786; matric. Lent, 1787; B.A. 1790; M.A. 1794; LL.D. ( Lit. Reg.) 1804. Fellow, 1795-1806. Tutor, 1803-6. [In his third year amused the University and advertised himself by constructing an immense balloon which was suspended for some days in the College Hall and finally successfully launched from the grass plot within the cloisters.] Antiquary and mineralogist. Travelled as tutor in Great Britain and abroad; later started on his great journey through Northern and Eastern Europe with Malthus and Otter; brought home a figure generally known as a Kistophanes, which he ecstatically–though erroneously–described as ‘the colossal statue of the Eleusinian Ceres from her temple in Eleusis....’ The ‘Ceres’ and various sculptures are now in the Fitzwilliam Museum. Returned to College, 1803. Ordained, Dec. 1805. R. of Harlton, Cambs., 1806-22. R. of Yeldham, Essex, 1810-22. C. of All Saints', Cambridge, 1819. Professor of Mineralogy, 1808-22. University Librarian, 1817-22. Concerning his lectures on mineralogy, Gunning remarks ‘his lecture rooms were always crowded and those of his hearers, who were not deeply versed in mineralogy, came away highly delighted.’ His collection of minerals purchased by the University; presented his Greek statues to the University, 1803. Sold the MS. of his Travels to the Bodleian Library. Married Angelica, dau. of Sir William Beaumaris, Bart., Mar. 25, 1806. Author, Travels in various countries of Europe...; The Tomb of Alexander, etc. Died Mar. 9, 1822. Buried in the College chapel. Father of Edward W. (1824); brother of James S. (1784). (Tonbridge Sch. Reg.; Chanticlere, Lent, 1888; D.N.B.; Pedigree Register, 1907.)

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