Identity area
Reference code
Glover/A/A5/22
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 13 March 1933 (Creation)
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Item
Extent and medium
8p paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Glover was the eldest son of Richard Glover, a Baptist minister from Bristol. He was admitted to St John's as a scholar in 1888 and, after gaining a first in both parts of the Classical Tripos, was elected a Fellow of the College in 1892. Four years later he went to Canada to take up the post of Professor of Latin at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. He returned to St John's as a teaching Fellow in 1901, and in 1911 was appointed to a University Lectureship in ancient history. He held the post of Orator at Cambridge, and was twice Proctor.
Glover was a prolific author. Many of his books and essays were on a classical theme, 'Studies in Virgil' (1904), 'Herodotus' (1924), 'Democracy in the Ancient World' (1927), and 'Greek Byways' (1932) being just a few of his titles. His restless intellect also took in other themes. 'Poets and Puritans' (1915) included essays on Bunyan and Boswell. 'The Jesus of History' (1917) made Glover's name known to thousands of non-classicists, while 'A corner of Empire: the old Ontario Strand' (1937) reflected his deep love of Canada, fostered during his five years' residence. Glover was also known as an avid letter writer, his thoughts on many subjects appearing frequently in the pages of 'The Times'. A deeply religious man, Glover was immensely proud of being elected to the post of President of the Baptist Union in 1924.
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Scope and content
Manuscript letter, in which Glover writes that he has read the chapter again and has made a few passing comments. His general criticism is that Carlile presents the incidents of the quarrel, but does not handle the issue. The questions before an historical jury would be: was Spurgeon justified in his charges against the Baptist ministry? Answer: No. Did he behave as a Christian man ought to towards old friends and colleagues? Answer: No. Did he really take the trouble to examine the evidence and understand the issue? Answer: No. Had he any reason to complain of S.H. Booth? Yes. This does not constitute an acquittal. Carlile's chapter reads rather like a dismissal of the case. Was there any justification for Spurgeon's sweeping changes? Carlile does not handle the historical question in the chapter. For he likes Spurgeon and his liking stops his mouth. It has been kind of Carlile to ask for Glover's opinion, but in view of his feelings on the issue, it would be better if Carlile did not mention him by name in the preface, since Glover cannot endorse the chapter, nor subscribe to the book as a whole. There are many people who would be happier if Glover were to keep away the book altogether. He had a pleasant time at Bangor.