Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ellerton, Edward
ELLERTON, EDWARD, D.D. (1770–1851), founder of scholarships, son of Richard Ellerton of Downholm, Yorkshire, was born in 1770; was educated at Richmond School: matriculated at Oxford as a member of University College; and graduated B.A, in 1792, and M.A. in 1795. Ellerton was appointed master of Magdalen College school in 1799; was afterwards elected fellow of the same college, and proceeded B.D. in 1805, and D.D. in 1815. He was appointed to the perpetual curacy of Horspath, Oxfordshire, in 1814, and to the perpetual curacy of Sevenhampton, Gloucestershire, in 1825, resigning the latter charge early in 1851.
For some time also he acted as curate to Routh, the president of Magdalen, at Theale near Reading, a chapelry attached to the rectory of Tilehurst. Ellerton was the founder of many scholarships and prizes. In 1825 he established an annual prize of twenty guineas, open to all members of the university of Oxford who had passed examination for their first degree, the prize to be given for the best English essay on some theological subject, In the earlier part of Pusey's career Ellerton was his close friend, and, in conjunction with Pusey and his brother Philip, he founded in 1832 the Pusey and Ellerton scholarships, three in number, which are open to all members of the university, and are of the annual value of 30l. each. Magdalen College also, in which Ellerton had for many years been sole tutor, and very frequently bursar, shared in his benefactions. In addition to other gifts, in 1835 he founded an annual exhibition for the best reader of the lessons in the college chapel; in 1849 an annual exhibition for the best scholar among the choristers; and by his will he founded in Magdalen College two annual exhibitions for students in Hebrew, He further established an exhibition for boys educated at Richmond School. Ellerton was a firm supporter of the principles of the Reformation, and in 1845 published a brief polemical treatise on 'The Evils and Dangers of Tractarianism.' He was lecturer in divinity, and senior fellow of Magdalen College, and perpetual delegate of privileges in Oxford University. He died at his curacy of Theale, 26 Dec. 1851.
[Ann. Reg. 1851; Gent. Mag. 1852.]