Blomfield, Charles James (1810-1828)

Comments

In VENN
Adm. pens. at TRINITY, June 20, 1803. [S. of Charles (James), schoolmaster, of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. B. there May 29, 1786. School, Bury Grammar; he won a scholarship at Eton but it was declined.] ' Matric. Michs. 1804; Scholar, 1805; Browne medals; Craven Scholar, 1806; 1st Chancellor's medal; Prizeman; B.A. (3rd Wrangler) 1808; M.A. 1811; B.D. 1818; D.D. (Lit. Reg.) 1820. Fellow, 1809. Incorp. at Oxford, 1841. Founded the Museum Criticum–a Cambridge Journal intended, as he said, to be merum sal for scholars, not for striplings. Commenced his critical study of Greek texts and his famous edition of the plays of Æschylus. Corresponded with the German scholar, Hermann, on the points of difference between English and German scholarship. Ord. deacon (Bristol) Mar. 24, 1810; priest, June 16, 1810; C. of Chesterford, Essex. R. of Quarrington, Lincs., 1810-20. R. of Dunton, Bucks., 1811; took resident pupils. J.P. and Commissioner of Taxes, 1813. Chaplain to the Bishop of London, 1817. R. of Tuddenham, Suffolk, 1817-20. R. of St Botolph's, Bishopsgate, London, 1820-8. V. and R. of Little Chesterford, Essex, 1820-4. Archdeacon of Colchester, 1822-4. Bishop of Chester, 1824-8; of London, 1829-56; resigned. P.C., 1828. Set himself to reorganise the established Church. Instrumental in securing the establishment of an Ecclesiastical Commission, which resulted in the removal of such abuses as pluralism, non-residence, etc. Instituted a fund for the building and endowing of churches in the Metropolis–afterwards merged in the London Diocesan Church Building Society. Worked strenuously to remedy the inadequate provision of schools and clergy in London. Took an active part in debates in the House of Lords, opposing the Catholic Emancipation Bill but supporting the Test and Corporation Act, also the Reform Bill. In the controversy arising out of the Tractarian Movement he maintained a strictly impartial attitude. Married (1) Anna Maria Heath, of Hemblington, Norfolk, Nov. 6, 1810; (2) Dorothy Cox, widow of Thomas Kent, barrister, 1819. Described by Archdeacon Hale as one of the best parish priests...one of the most simple-hearted of mankind and one of the firmest of friends. Edited five plays of Æschylus, with notes and glossaries. Died Aug. 5, 1857, at Fulham. Brother of Edward Valentine [CCE8146], etc.; father of Arthur W. (1847). (Al. Oxon.; Hennessy; D.N.B.; Reginald Blomfield.)

See RAB's article in ODNB.

Evidence