St John's College MS N.28 (James 585)
Letters, speeches and essays of Richard Beadon, and other items. Latin, 17th century - 1781.
Richard Beadon (1737-1824) studied at St John's College, graduating eighth wrangler in 1758. He was twice a members' prizeman and received the chancellor's medal for classics. Beadon was a fellow of St John's 1760-73 and served the university as public orator (1768-78) and as vice-chancellor (1781 and 1782). Having narrowly failed to secure the mastership of St John's, Beadon was elected master of Jesus College in 1781. He was appointed bishop of Gloucester in 1789 and was subsequently translated to Bath and Wells in 1802. Beadon published just two sermons. See ODNB.
Contents (mostly in Beadon's hand)
- Latin essay written for a disputation on the question In testamento voluntas defuncti magis est spectanda quam verba. Undated. 19p. In notebook with marbled paper covers.
- Dissertatio quae praemium a viris honoratissimis Ed. Finch & Tho. Townshend baccalaureis med. propositum retulit in scholis publicis recitata prid. cal. Jul. 1759 a Richardo Beadon A.B. Coll. Div. Johannis. Beadon's winning entry for the middle bachelors' members' prize, on the question Utrum in bene constitutam civitatem ludi scenici admitti debeant. 17p. In notebook with marbled paper covers.
- Dissertatio quae praemium a viris honoratissimis Ed. Finch et Tho. Townshend baccalaureis sen. Cantab. propositum retulit in scholis publicis recitata quart. cal. Julii 1760 a Richardo Beadon A.B. Coll. Div. Joan. socio. Beadon's winning submission for the senior bachelors' members' prize, on the question Qualis fuit in veteri et nova academia philosophandi ratio et quaenam sit ad verum investigandum accommodatior. 19p. In notebook with marbled paper covers.
- Notebook containing three Latin letters from Beadon to the master and seniors of St John's College, dated 1758-60. 9p. Marbled paper covers.
- Draft Latin letter from the vice-chancellor and senate of Cambridge university to Charles III of Spain, dated 9 Dec. 1775. 4p.
- Two drafts, in different hands, of a Latin letter from the master and fellows of St John's College to John Ross, bishop of Exeter, dated 1778. 4p.
- Latin letter from the vice-chancellor and senate of Cambridge university to Frederick Cornwallis, archbishop of Canterbury. Undated (c. 1768). 3p.
- Latin letter from Cambridge university to Charles Yorke congratulating him on his election as member of parliament for the university. Undated (c. March 1768). 3p.
- Latin speech presenting Charles Maynard baronet to the MA degree, dated 26 Feb. 1772. 4p.
- Latin speech presenting Robert Smith baronet to the MA degree, dated 1 July 1775. 3p.
- Latin speech presenting the honourable Thomas Pelham to the MA degree, dated 3 July 1775. 6p.
- Latin speech presenting Edmund Bacon baronet to the MA degree, dated 1 July 1776. 5p.
- Latin speech presenting Henry baron St John of Bletsoe to the MA degree, dated 11 June 1778. 3p.
- Latin speech by Beadon made upon his election as vice-chancellor, dated 4 Nov. 1781. 4p.
- Latin speech presenting an earl to the DCL degree honoris causa. Undated. 4p.
- Latin speech given to the master, president and fellows of St John's College in commemoration of the college's benefactors. Undated (c. 1760-73). 13p. In notebook with marbled paper covers.
- Draft of Latin memorial inscription to John Whalley, master of Peterhouse, dated 1770. 1p.
In addition to the above, N.28 contains the following two items which do not appear to be connected to Beadon. - De origine fabularum. Latin essay also containing some Greek and Hebrew. Early 18th-century? 23p. In notebook with marbled paper covers.
- Two sermons on ye same text viz Lest any of you be hardned through ye deceitfullness of sin. Late 17th-century? 44p. In limp vellum covers.
Manuscript extra information
Presented by Charles J. Beadon in 1930. His letter to the librarian of St John's, dated 27 June, is enclosed.