Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Gabell, Henry Dison

1152318Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 20 — Gabell, Henry Dison1889James McMullen Rigg

GABELL, HENRY DISON, D.D. (1764–1831), head-master of Winchester, was son of the Rev. Timothy Gabell of Winchester. Gabell was born at Winchester in 1764, and was elected a scholar of Winchester College in 1779, and subsequently of New College, Oxford, where he matriculated on 11 Oct. 1782; graduated B.A. on 8 July 1786; and held a fellowship from 1782 to 1790. Soon afterwards he was appointed master of Warminster school, where he had twenty boys to teach, with a salary of 30l., and liberty to take private pupils. He was presented to the rectory of St. Lawrence, Winchester, in 1788, and was appointed second master of Winchester College in 1793. He graduated M.A. at Cambridge in 1807; succeeded Dr. Goddard as head-master of Winchester College in 1810; was presented to the rectory of Ashow, Warwickshire, in 1812, and that of Binfield, Berkshire, in 1820; resigned the head-mastership of Winchester College in December 1823, receiving a present of plate richly engraved from the scholars. He continued to hold the three livings of Binfield, Ashow, and St. Lawrence until his death, which took place at Binfield on 18 April 1831. Gabell married, on 11 Jan. 1790, Miss Gage, the daughter of a clergyman of Holton, Oxfordshire. Their third daughter, Maria, married, on 18 July 1818, Sir Joseph Scott, bart., of Great Barr Hall, Staffordshire. Gabell was a friend and correspondent of Dr. Parr, in the seventh volume of whose works some letters of his on points of classical scholarship will be found. He published: 1. A pamphlet entitled ‘On the Expediency of Altering and Amending the Regulations recommended by Parliament for Reducing the High Price of Corn: and of Extending the Bounty on the Importation of Wheat and other Articles of Provision,’ London, 1796, 8vo. 2. A discourse delivered on the fast-day in February 1799, London, 1799, 8vo.

[Gent. Mag. 1790 pt. i. p. 83, 1818 pt. ii. p. 178, 1823 pt. ii. p. 543, 1831 pt. i. p. 469; Kirby's Winchester Scholars, pp. 272, 296; Foster's Alumni Oxon. p. 503; Hoare's South Wiltshire, iii. ‘Warm.’ 40; Parr's Works, ed. Johnstone, vii. 470–501; Cat. Oxford Grad.; Grad. Cant.; Brit. Mus. Cat.]

J. M. R.