Letters re election to Mastership, 1812 - 1814
Scope and Contents
Mainly correspondence, concerning: the controversies and legal wrangling between William Frere and Edward Christian, who petitioned against Frere's election as Master in 1812; vice-chancellorship; general. The letters are not generally about College or estate administration. Includes correspondence from Sir Busick Harwood. Cornwallis Hewett and William Wilkins.
Dates
- Creation: 1812 - 1814
Creator
- From the Fonds: Frere, William, 1775 - 1836 (Master of Downing College) (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Some records series are subject to confidentiality restrictions with the following closure periods: 30 years from date of creation for general administration files, legal records and financial files; 50 years from date of creation for governmental records, including papers of the College Governing Body and College Council, and constituent committees; 100 years from date of creation for personal and personnel records, including tutorial files, staff and fellows files and appointment records, personal finance and pension records. In addition sensitive correspondence and papers concerning College affairs such as disputes and disciplinary matters are closed for 100 years. Restrictions apply on some personal and private papers.
Biographical / Historical
When the first Master, Francis Annesley, died in 1812 there was three candidates for the job: the two professors, Sir Busick Hardwood and Edward Christian, and one of the Fellows, William Frere. All began canvassing opinion of the electors (the archbishops of Canterbury and York, and the Masters of Clare Hall and St John) almost before Annesley's body was cold. With votes seemingly split Sir Busick preferred to withdraw his candidature rather than stomach his old rival Christian as Master. On May 8, 1812 William Frere was elected. Christian as once lodged a petition against the election with the Visitor, who began to hear it in March 1813. A decision was finally given in favour of Frere in 1814.
Extent
c. 20 item(s) : Paper
Language of Materials
English
Originator(s)
Frere, William
Finding aid date
2001-06-11 15:15:28+00:00
Repository Details
Part of the Downing College Repository
Downing College Archive
Downing College
Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 1DQ United Kingdom
+44 (0)1223 762905
archivist@dow.cam.ac.uk