Benjamin Buckler
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Buckler was an antiquarian and an academic at the University of Oxford
.
in Wiltshire, studied at Oriel College, Oxford, from 1733 onwards. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1736 and his Master of Arts degree in 1739; he was also elected that year to a fellowship of All Souls College
. After ordination, he was vicar
of Cumnor
, Oxfordshire and rector
of Frilsham
, Berkshire. He was a good friend of the lawyer William Blackstone
(later the first Vinerian Professor of English Law
), who was also a fellow of the college; he followed Blackstone as bursar
of All Souls. They were seen as leaders of the Tory group at Oxford, who enabled Roger Newdigate
's selection as Member of Parliament for the university constituency
from 1750. Tories also helped to elect John Fane, 7th Earl of Westmorland
, as the university's Chancellor in 1759. Buckler himself was elected Keeper of the Archives
of the university in 1777.
His writings include a history of Cumnor, included in the 8-volume Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica (1780–90) by John Nichols
. He also defended one of the college's traditions. It was said a mallard
had been discovered when the foundations were laid in 1438, and this was commemorated in the singing of the Mallard Song
from the 17th century onwards every 14 January (the feast day of Hilary of Poitiers
). (The song is now sung every 100 years.) In 1749, the writer of Oxoniensis academia (John Pointer) alleged that the bird in question was only a goose; Buckler replied in 1750 with A Complete Vindication of the Mallard of All Souls College, although he did so anonymously. He also supported the Tory cause in articles and in his only published sermon. In 1765, he published a genealogical table of the families entitled to claim fellowships of All Souls by virtue of a relationship to the founder, Archbishop Henry Chichele
; he and Blackstone were opposed to those graduates with only family ties behind them. He died on 24 December 1780 at Cumnor, where he was buried.
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
.
Life
Benjamin Buckler, from WarminsterWarminster
Warminster is a town in western Wiltshire, England, by-passed by the A36, and near Frome and Westbury. It has a population of about 17,000. The River Were runs through the town and can be seen running through the middle of the town park. The Minster Church of St Denys sits on the River Were...
in Wiltshire, studied at Oriel College, Oxford, from 1733 onwards. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1736 and his Master of Arts degree in 1739; he was also elected that year to a fellowship of All Souls College
All Souls College, Oxford
The Warden and the College of the Souls of all Faithful People deceased in the University of Oxford or All Souls College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England....
. After ordination, he was vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
of Cumnor
Cumnor
Cumnor is a village and civil parish west of the centre of Oxford, England. The parish of Cumnor includes Cumnor Hill, , Chawley , the Dean Court area on the edge of Botley and the outlying settlements of Chilswell, Farmoor and Swinford...
, Oxfordshire and rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Frilsham
Frilsham
Frilsham is a village and civil parish, near Newbury, in the English county of Berkshire.It is a village near the Berkshire Downs, lying on a hill surrounded by woods and meadows. Neighbouring villages include Yattendon, Hermitage, Stanford Dingley and Hampstead Norreys. There are views over the...
, Berkshire. He was a good friend of the lawyer William Blackstone
William Blackstone
Sir William Blackstone KC SL was an English jurist, judge and Tory politician of the eighteenth century. He is most noted for writing the Commentaries on the Laws of England. Born into a middle class family in London, Blackstone was educated at Charterhouse School before matriculating at Pembroke...
(later the first Vinerian Professor of English Law
Vinerian Professor of English Law
The Vinerian Professorship of English Law, formerly Vinerian Professorship of Common Law, was established by Charles Viner who by his will, dated 29 December 1755, left about £12,000 to the Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford, to establish a Professorship of the Common Law...
), who was also a fellow of the college; he followed Blackstone as bursar
Bursar
A bursar is a senior professional financial administrator in a school or university.Billing of student tuition accounts are the responsibility of the Office of the Bursar. This involves sending bills and making payment plans with the ultimate goal of getting the student accounts paid off...
of All Souls. They were seen as leaders of the Tory group at Oxford, who enabled Roger Newdigate
Roger Newdigate
Sir Roger Newdigate, 5th Baronet was an English politician and collector of antiquities.He was born in Arbury, Warwickshire, the son of Sir Richard Newdigate, 3rd Baronet and inherited the title 5th Baronet and the estates of Arbury and of Harefield in Middlesex on the early death of his brother...
's selection as Member of Parliament for the university constituency
Oxford University (UK Parliament constituency)
Oxford University was a university constituency electing two members to the British House of Commons, from 1603 to 1950.-Boundaries, Electorate and Electoral System:...
from 1750. Tories also helped to elect John Fane, 7th Earl of Westmorland
John Fane, 7th Earl of Westmorland
John Fane, 7th Earl of Westmorland was an English nobleman, styled The Honourable John Fane from 1691 to 1736....
, as the university's Chancellor in 1759. Buckler himself was elected Keeper of the Archives
Keeper of the Archives
The position of Keeper of the Archives at the University of Oxford in England dates from 1634, when it was established by new statutes for the university brought in by William Laud...
of the university in 1777.
His writings include a history of Cumnor, included in the 8-volume Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica (1780–90) by John Nichols
John Nichols (printer)
John Nichols was an English printer, author and antiquary.-Early life and apprenticeship:He was born in Islington, London to Edward Nichols and Anne Wilmot. On 22 June 1766 he married Anne Cradock daughter of William Cradock...
. He also defended one of the college's traditions. It was said a mallard
Mallard
The Mallard , or Wild Duck , is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia....
had been discovered when the foundations were laid in 1438, and this was commemorated in the singing of the Mallard Song
Mallard Song
The Mallard Song is an ancient tradition of All Souls College, Oxford. It is sung once a century in a ceremony in which the Fellows parade around the College with flaming torches, led by a "Lord Mallard" who is carried in a chair, in search of a giant mallard that supposedly flew out of the...
from the 17th century onwards every 14 January (the feast day of Hilary of Poitiers
Hilary of Poitiers
Hilary of Poitiers was Bishop of Poitiers and is a Doctor of the Church. He was sometimes referred to as the "Hammer of the Arians" and the "Athanasius of the West." His name comes from the Latin word for happy or cheerful. His optional memorial in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints is 13...
). (The song is now sung every 100 years.) In 1749, the writer of Oxoniensis academia (John Pointer) alleged that the bird in question was only a goose; Buckler replied in 1750 with A Complete Vindication of the Mallard of All Souls College, although he did so anonymously. He also supported the Tory cause in articles and in his only published sermon. In 1765, he published a genealogical table of the families entitled to claim fellowships of All Souls by virtue of a relationship to the founder, Archbishop Henry Chichele
Henry Chichele
Henry Chichele , English archbishop, founder of All Souls College, Oxford, was born at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, in 1363 or 1364...
; he and Blackstone were opposed to those graduates with only family ties behind them. He died on 24 December 1780 at Cumnor, where he was buried.