Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1821 - 1849 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 item, notebook
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Master of Jesus College, 1820-1849.
William French was the son of Thomas French, a wealthy yeoman at Eye in Suffolk. He was educated at Ipswich Grammar School. In 1807 he entered Gonville and Caius College and was second wrangler and Smith's prizeman. He graduated BA in 1811 and MA in 1814. In 1811 he was elected as a Fellow and Tutor at Pembroke College. He became a University Proctor in 1816.
In 1821 he married Elizabeth Maria, daughter of John Wythe of Eye, and was made DD by Royal Mandate, and served in the office of Vice-Chancellor. He held this position again in 1834, when he also acted as one of the syndics appointed to superintend the building of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
In 1827 he was presented by the Lord Chancellor to the living of Moor Monkton, Yorkshire. In 1832 he became a canon of Ely Cathedral.
He died in the lodge at Jesus College on 12 November 1849.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Includes notes relating to
University business (in role as vice-chancellor), meetings of the Press syndicate, Literary syndicate, concerning individuals with regard possible teaching, proproctor elections, thoughts about some university statues and how they might be amended and improved, extracts from royal charters relating to the office of high steward, list of jobs that need to be resolved before he leaves Pembroke as bursar; notes made from Greek texts in the library at Magdalene College Cambridge in relation to the appointment of a Greek professor, example case relating to insults exchanged during a drunken argument between Mr Duffield and a Mr. Storie on Wednesday 10th March followed by several questions as to how it should be dealt with; observatory syndicate report to the Senate, the Fitzwilliam Syndicate, complaints between students, University Audit, Crane's charity, Manor of Ovington bought with Mr Rustat's money, appointment of bedels, notes on Barnaby lectures,
Enquiries concerning books, possibly for purchase
Town related issues including people committed to the spinning house, meetings of spinning house trustees,
College business - Rustat syndicate, leases of College property including Eltisley and Willingham, Over, Great Shelford, London, Yelling, Caxton, Guilden Morden, West Wratting, Hundon, Gravel Close, Ropemakers close, development of land for railway and station, notes from meeting of the manorial court at Graveley, notes on College meetings, College livings, some repairs to College buildings, scholarships, various details of incomes from tenants of College properties, affixing seals to property deeds and leases, note that he had to talk to the seven principle bedmakers and ask them not to take coal from the College without asking Richard Brett first, 18th February 1832.; Proby fund; notes relating to College servants, gyps and barber, porters, Mr. Gibson agrees to see Archbishop Sterne's picture before it goes to London October 1848, Mr. Rattee agrees to take the land at the fork of Hills Road and Station Road 19th March 1849,
Some pages of diary entries, arranged by day of the week, covering various social engagements including times for dining in other Colleges and with whom, some College related business, College Audit
Personal entries including bills to be paid, notes of a conversation had between the King and Lord Londonderry after Mr. Canning's application to be Prime Minister, 20th April 1827, notes on lectures, travelling distances between places in France and Western Germany, conversion chart of Dutch money into English, mathematical problems with diagram
Many of the entries have been scored through, perhaps indicating that French scored them through once he had attended a meeting or dealt with a particular issue.
Worn binding, broken clasp, spine disintegrated.