Item 46/2 - Autograph letter signed to J. Challis

Identity area

Reference code

Adams/Box 5-15/Box 15/46/2

Unique identifier

GB 275 Adams/Box 5-15/Box 15/46/2

Title

Autograph letter signed to J. Challis

Date(s)

  • 21 Jan. 1863 (Creation)

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Item

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3p paper

Context area

Name of creator

(1806-1875)

Biographical history

Professor of Divinity. William Selwyn was born in Witham, Essex in 1806. After schooling at Eton he was admitted to St John's College in 1824. Selwyn graduated in 1828 and was made a Fellow of the College in 1829. He was ordained in 1831 and was presented to the rectory of Branstone. He exchanged this for the vicarage at Melbourne, Cambridgeshire in 1846. In 1855 Selwyn was elected Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity. He put aside part of his income from this post to help improve the study of theology at Cambridge, and he saw the building of the new Divinity School as a result of his beneficence. He was also the moving force behind the rebuilding of the chapel at St John's. Selwyn was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1866 and died in 1875.

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Scope and content

Invitation to visit Observatory at Ely, to advise on the dome. Object glass of the telescope was stolen from the maker before it was finished.

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