Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- c.1830 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 item, paper
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
Notes relating to the installation of gas lighting in College, c. 1830. Notes that the present gas lamp in first court be removed and replaced with two gas lamps on pillars about 5 yards distant from the extremities of the east side of the grass flat. The Chapel should also be lit with eight gas lamps on brass brackets. Two gas lamps should be placed in the ante chapel and that the cloisters should also be lit by gas with two lights, one in the corner by the Chapel door and the other in the opposite corner. Most of the sheet also records notes relating to, perhaps, either a sermon or marriage ceremony.