Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Lamb, John

1433573Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 31 — Lamb, John1892Thompson Cooper

LAMB, JOHN, D.D. (1789–1850), master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and dean of Bristol, born at Ixworth, Suffolk, on 28 Feb. 1789, was son of John Lamb, perpetual curate of Ixworth, vicar of Haxey, Lincolnshire, and rector of Stretton, Rutland, by his wife Maria, daughter of William Hovell of Backwell Ash, Suffolk. He studied at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1811 as fifteenth and last wrangler, and proceeded M.A. in 1814, B.D. in 1822, and D.D. in 1827. In 1822 he was chosen master of his college, in succession to Philip Douglas, B.D. In 1824 he was presented by the college to the perpetual curacy of St. Benedict in Cambridge; on 20 Oct. 1837 he was nominated by the crown to the deanery of Bristol; and in 1845 he was instituted, on the presentation of the dean and chapter of Bristol, to the vicarage of Olveston, Gloucestershire, which he held till his death with his mastership and deanery. In politics he maintained whig principles. He died on 19 April 1850, at the lodge of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and was buried in a vault under the college chapel.

He married, on 19 March 1822, Anne, daughter of James Hutchinson, rector of Cranford, Northamptonshire, and had issue ten sons and four daughters. One of the sons, John Lamb, was a fellow and bursar of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge; and another, James Henry Lamb, was a fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge, and is now (1892) rector of Burnham-Westgate, Norfolk. One of the daughters, Emily, married Norman Macleod Ferrers, D.D., formerly master of Gonville and Caius College.

His works are:

  1. ‘An Historical Account of the XXXIX Articles,’ Cambridge, 1829, 4to; second edit. 1835, 4to.
  2. ‘Masters's History of the College of Corpus Christi in the University of Cambridge; with additional matter and a continuation to the present time,’ Cambridge, 1831, 4to.
  3. ‘Hebrew Characters derived from Hieroglyphics. The original pictures applied to the interpretation of various words and passages in the Sacred Writings, and especially of the History of the Creation and Fall of Man,’ London, 1835, 8vo; second edit. Cambridge, 1835, 8vo.
  4. ‘The Table of Abydos correctly interpreted: corroborative of the Chronology derived from the Sacred Writings,’ London, 1836, 8vo.
  5. ‘A Collection of Letters, Statutes, and other Documents from the MS. Library of Corpus Christi College, illustrative of the History of the University of Cambridge during the time of the Reformation, from a.d. md. to mdlxxii.,’ London, 1838, 8vo.
  6. ‘The Phænomena and Diosemeia of Aratus, translated into English Verse, with Notes,’ London, 1848, 8vo.

[Private information; Gent. Mag. new ser. ix. 333, xxxiii. 667; Graduati Cantabr. (Romilly); Le Neve's Fasti (Hardy), i. 225, 445, iii. 682.]

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