by George Peacock [q. v.], afterwards dean of Ely, Romilly, and others, calling upon him to summon a meeting of the seniority to take the matter into consideration (Clark, u.s. p. 427 n.)
Musgrave's university distinction and liberal politics marked him out for preferment from the whig government. In 1837 he was appointed dean of Bristol, when he finally left Cambridge. His friend Sedgwick wrote on his departure : 'A friend of thirty years' standing, with whom an unkind word or an unkind thought never passed, is not to be replaced' (ib. p. 431). He held the deanery of Bristol only a few months, being nominated to the see of Hereford, vacated by the death of Bishop Edward Grey, brother to Earl Grey, the premier. He was consecrated by Archbishop Howley at Lambeth 1 Oct. 1837. At Hereford he revived the office of rural dean, and was instrumental in setting on foot the Diocesan Church Building Society (Phillott, Diocesan Histories, 'Hereford'). On the death of Archbishop Edward Harcourt [q. v.] in 1847, he was translated to the primatial see of York. His enthronisation in York Minster took place 15 Jan. 1848. His episcopate, although characterised by much practical ability, was marked by no considerable reforms. His motto was 'Quieta non inovere,' and he had a great dread of changes and changers. The revival of the deliberative action of the church seemed to him fraught with danger, and during his archiepiscopate the northern house of convocation was allowed to meet pro forma only. A large portion of the estates of Trinity College lay in Yorkshire ; his position as bursar had given him an intimate acquaintance with many parts of his diocese, and he acquired an accurate knowledge of the requirements of the many large towns of the diocese. Naturally fond of retirement, he did not appear much in public, especially after a severe illness he had in 1854 ; but he was always ready of access to his clergy. Although abrupt in manner, he is described as 'the kindest of men, generous and unostentatious, his gifts free and liberal.' He was warmly attached to evangelical principles. He died 4 May 1860 at 41 Belgrave Square, and was buried at Kensal Green cemetery.
He married in 1839 Catherine, daughter of Richard Cavendish, second lord Waterpark. His widow died 16 May 1863. There is a portrait of him in the dining-room at Bishopthorpe. He printed nothing besides charges and occasional sermons. A contemporary, Thomas Moore Musgrave, who published in 1826 (London, 8vo) a blank verse translation of the 'Lusiad' of Camoens, with elaborate notes, does not appear to have been related either to the bishop's family or to that of General Sir Thomas Musgrave [q. v.]
[Gent. Mag. 1860, i. 625-6; private information.]
MUSGRAVE, WILLIAM (1655?–1721), physician and antiquary, was third son of Richard Musgrave of Nettlecombe, Somerset. The date of his birth is given in Munk's 'College of Physicians' as 4 Nov. 1655, but according to Collinson it occurred at Charlton Musgrove in 1657. He was educated at Winchester College, being elected to a scholarship in 1669, and at New College, Oxford, where he matriculated 17 July 1675, was admitted scholar on 7 Aug. 1675, and held a fellowship from 7 Aug. 1677 to September 1692. Ten years later he contributed 55l. towards the new buildings at his college. He passed one session at the university of Leyden, his name being entered in its books on 29 March 1680, but he soon returned to Oxford, and took the degree of B.C.L. on 14 June 1682. For his distinction in natural philosophy and physic he was elected F.R.S. on 19 March 1683-4, and admitted on 1 Dec. 1684. During 1685 he acted as secretary of the Royal Society, edited the 'Philosophical Transactions' from numbers 167 to 178 (vol. xv.), and on his retirement from office was presented with a service of plate, sixty ounces in weight. Musgrave took the degree of M.B. at Oxford, by decree of convocation, on 8 Dec. 1685, and proceeded M.D. on 6 July 1689. He was one of the little set of enthusiasts who in the autumn of 1685 formed themselves into a scientific body at Oxford, and for some years he practised in that city. On 30 Sept. 1692 he was elected a fellow of the College of Physicians at London. In the previous year he settled at Exeter, and there he practised with great success until his death. His house was in St. Lawrence parish, at the head of Trinity Lane, afterwards called Musgrave Alley in recognition of his restoration and enlargement in 1694 and 1711 of the chapel of Holy Trinity. Musgrave died in December 1721, and was buried on 23 Dec. in a vault in St. Leonard's churchyard, Exeter, outside the city, as he believed that intramural burial in cities was unwholesome for the living. His wife was Philippa, third daughter of William Speke of Jordans, White Lackington, Somerset, by his wife, Anne Roynon. She died 14 Nov. 1715, aged 55, and was buried at St. Leonard's, Exeter, on 21 Nov. A handsome altar-tomb which was erected to their memory has now been removed. A portrait of Musgrave is mentioned
