Relhan Collection : 102 Cambridge. Jesus College. Arms of Dr William Pearce, Master of Jesus College

Relhan, Richard, 1782-1844

Relhan Collection

<p style='text-align: justify;'><p>1821</p><p>William Pearce, 1744-1820, son of a Cornish surgeon, was admitted pensioner at St John’s 1763, became a Fellow 1768-88, tutor and President (deputy Master) 1781-7, University Orator 1778-88, and Master 1789-1820. He was also rector of Wentworth (Isle of Ely), of Miningsby, Lincs 1774-86, and Houghton Conquest, Beds 1786-1820, as well as Dean of Ely 1797-1820. He married Anne, daughter of Revd Walter Serocold of Cherry Hinton. William Cole says of his appointment as Orator ‘<i>Mr Pearce has every qualification but person and manner’</i>. However, he was a successful Master, credited with expanding admissions and attracting brilliant minds – not always a blessing as he found when he tried with great patience to improve the behaviour of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge but eventually had to send him down. His name and arms also appear in Cherry Hinton church, on his wife Anne’s monument. Gray refers to Pearce’s monument in the College chapel, describing him as a champion of ‘<i>the King, the church and Christian verity’. </i></p><p>Gray 1960; RCHME 1959; Saunders P pers comm; Venn 1940-1954</p></p>