William Herbert, Dean of Manchester
Encyclopedia
William Herbert was a British botanist, poet, and clergyman. He served as a Member of Parliament
for Hampshire
from 1806 to 1807, and for Cricklade
from 1811 to 1812.
, by Lady Elizabeth Alicia Maria, eldest daughter of Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont
. He was born on 12 January 1778, and was educated at Eton College
. On 16 July 1795 Herbert matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford
, but soon migrated to Exeter College
, where he graduated B.A. on 6 June 1798. Subsequently moving to Merton College, he proceeded M.A. 23 November 1802, B.C.L. 27 May 1808, D.C.L. 2 June 1808, and B.D. 25 June 1840.
In a political career, he was elected M.P. for Hampshire in 1806, and for Cricklade in 1811, and also seems to have practised at the bar. But soon after retiring from parliament in 1812 he changed his plans. In 1814 he was ordained, and was nominated to the rectory of Spofforth
in the West Riding of Yorkshire
. He left Spofforth in 1840 on his promotion to Dean of Manchester
.
Herbert died suddenly at his house in Hereford Street, Park Lane
, London, on Friday, 28 May 1847.
(1809). Other translations were from German, Danish, and Portuguese poems, with some miscellaneous English poems (1804).
He contributed articles of a non-political character to the Edinburgh Review
. Helga, a poem in seven cantos, came out in 1815, with a second edition in the following year; then Hedin, or the Spectre of the Tomb, a tale in verse from Danish history. London, 1820; Pia della Pietra, 1820; Iris, a Latin ode, York, 1820; and the Wizard Wanderer of Jutland in 1820-1. The epic poem entitled Attila, or the Triumph of Christianity, in twelve books, with a historical preface, was published in 1838; and a final volume of poems, The Christian, in 1846.
Early interested in natural history
, and a good shot, he helped James Rennie
to edit Gilbert White
's The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne
in 1833, and contributed notes to Edward Turner Bennett
's edition of the work in 1837. He wrote much for the Botanical Register and Botanical Magazine, particularly on the subject of bulbous plants. He cultivated a large number of these plants at Spofforth, and at Mitcham
, Surrey
; many of these were lost to cultivation. His standard volume on this group of plants, Amaryllidaceæ, was issued in 1837. His Crocorum Synopsis appeared in the miscellaneous portion of the Botanical Register for 1843-4-5. Contributions on hybridization made by him to the Journal of the Horticultural Society were the outcome of observation and experiment. A History of the Species of Crocus was reprinted separately from that journal, edited by John Lindley
in 1847, just after his death. The genus Herbertia of Sweet commemorated his name.
His major works, including sermons, reviews, and scientific memoirs, besides his early poetical volumes, appeared in 2 volumes in 1842. He edited Musae Etonensis (1795) while still at school and, on quitting Eton, obtained a prize for a Latin poem on the subject Rhenus, which was published. A translation appeared in Translations of Oxford Prize Poems, 1831.
awards The Herbert Medal
to persons making meritorious achievement in advancing the knowledge of bulbous plants.
, on 17 May 1806, and was father of Henry William Herbert
and three other children.
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Hampshire
Hampshire (UK Parliament constituency)
Hampshire was a county constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which returned two Knights of the Shire to the House of Commons from 1295 until 1832...
from 1806 to 1807, and for Cricklade
Cricklade (UK Parliament constituency)
Cricklade was a parliamentary constituency named after the town of Cricklade in Wiltshire.From 1295 until 1885, Cricklade was a parliamentary borough, returning two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, previously to the House of Commons of...
from 1811 to 1812.
Life
He was the third son and fifth child of Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of CarnarvonHenry Herbert, 1st Earl of Carnarvon
Henry Herbert, 1st Earl of Carnarvon PC , known as The Lord Porchester from 1780 to 1793, was a British Whig politician. He served as Master of the Horse from 1806 to 1807 in the Ministry of All the Talents headed by Lord Grenville.-Background and education:Herbert was the son of Major-General the...
, by Lady Elizabeth Alicia Maria, eldest daughter of Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont
Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont
Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont, PC and Catherine née Seymour, succeeded his uncle, Algernon Seymour, 7th Duke of Somerset, as 2nd Earl of Egremont in 1750...
. He was born on 12 January 1778, and was educated at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
. On 16 July 1795 Herbert matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, but soon migrated to Exeter College
Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England and the fourth oldest college of the University. The main entrance is on the east side of Turl Street...
, where he graduated B.A. on 6 June 1798. Subsequently moving to Merton College, he proceeded M.A. 23 November 1802, B.C.L. 27 May 1808, D.C.L. 2 June 1808, and B.D. 25 June 1840.
In a political career, he was elected M.P. for Hampshire in 1806, and for Cricklade in 1811, and also seems to have practised at the bar. But soon after retiring from parliament in 1812 he changed his plans. In 1814 he was ordained, and was nominated to the rectory of Spofforth
Spofforth
- People :*Fred Spofforth - Australian cricketer*Reginald Spofforth - Composer...
in the West Riding of Yorkshire
West Riding of Yorkshire
The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. From 1889 to 1974 the administrative county, County of York, West Riding , was based closely on the historic boundaries...
. He left Spofforth in 1840 on his promotion to Dean of Manchester
Dean of Manchester
The Dean of Manchester is based in Manchester, England and is the head of the Chapter of Manchester Cathedral. The current Dean is The Very Reverend Rogers Govender.-List of Deans of Manchester:* William Herbert 1840–1847...
.
Herbert died suddenly at his house in Hereford Street, Park Lane
Park Lane
Park Lane may refer to:*Park Lane , an investment bank in Los Angeles, California*Park Lane , a road in London, UK*Park Lane , a shopping mall in Halifax, Nova Scotia*Park Lane , a rugby stadium in Greater Manchester, UK...
, London, on Friday, 28 May 1847.
Works
In 1801 he brought out Ossiani Darthula, a small volume of Greek and Latin poetry. In 1804 appeared part i. of his Select Icelandic Poetry, translated from the originals with notes. Part ii. followed in 1806. These were early works on old Scandinavian literature in English. Lord Byron mentioned Herbert in his English Bards and Scotch ReviewersEnglish Bards and Scotch Reviewers
English Bards and Scotch Reviewers is a satirical poem written by Lord Byron. It was first published, anonymously, in March 1809; the opening parodies the first satire of Juvenal. A second, expanded edition followed later in 1809, with Byron identified as the author.The text is referred to in Tom...
(1809). Other translations were from German, Danish, and Portuguese poems, with some miscellaneous English poems (1804).
He contributed articles of a non-political character to the Edinburgh Review
Edinburgh Review
The Edinburgh Review, founded in 1802, was one of the most influential British magazines of the 19th century. It ceased publication in 1929. The magazine took its Latin motto judex damnatur ubi nocens absolvitur from Publilius Syrus.In 1984, the Scottish cultural magazine New Edinburgh Review,...
. Helga, a poem in seven cantos, came out in 1815, with a second edition in the following year; then Hedin, or the Spectre of the Tomb, a tale in verse from Danish history. London, 1820; Pia della Pietra, 1820; Iris, a Latin ode, York, 1820; and the Wizard Wanderer of Jutland in 1820-1. The epic poem entitled Attila, or the Triumph of Christianity, in twelve books, with a historical preface, was published in 1838; and a final volume of poems, The Christian, in 1846.
Early interested in natural history
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
, and a good shot, he helped James Rennie
James Rennie
James Rennie FRS was a Scottish naturalist.-Life:In 1815 he graduated M.A. from Glasgow University where he had previously studied natural sciences, and took holy orders. In 1821 he moved to London. From 1830 to 1834 he was professor of natural history and zoology at King's College. From then on...
to edit Gilbert White
Gilbert White
Gilbert White FRS was a pioneering English naturalist and ornithologist.-Life:White was born in his grandfather's vicarage at Selborne in Hampshire. He was educated at the Holy Ghost School and by a private tutor in Basingstoke before going to Oriel College, Oxford...
's The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne
The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne
The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, or just The Natural History of Selborne is a book by pioneering English naturalist and ornithologist Gilbert White first published in 1789...
in 1833, and contributed notes to Edward Turner Bennett
Edward Turner Bennett
Edward Turner Bennett was an English zoologist and writer. He was the elder brother of the botanist John Joseph Bennett. Bennett was born at Hackney and practiced as a surgeon, but his chief pursuit was always zoology...
's edition of the work in 1837. He wrote much for the Botanical Register and Botanical Magazine, particularly on the subject of bulbous plants. He cultivated a large number of these plants at Spofforth, and at Mitcham
Mitcham
Mitcham is a district in the south west area of London, in the London Borough of Merton. A suburban area, Mitcham is located on the border of Inner London and Outer London. It is both residentially and financially developed, well served by Transport for London, and home to Mitcham Town Centre,...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
; many of these were lost to cultivation. His standard volume on this group of plants, Amaryllidaceæ, was issued in 1837. His Crocorum Synopsis appeared in the miscellaneous portion of the Botanical Register for 1843-4-5. Contributions on hybridization made by him to the Journal of the Horticultural Society were the outcome of observation and experiment. A History of the Species of Crocus was reprinted separately from that journal, edited by John Lindley
John Lindley
John Lindley FRS was an English botanist, gardener and orchidologist.-Early years:Born in Catton, near Norwich, England, John Lindley was one of four children of George and Mary Lindley. George Lindley was a nurseryman and pomologist and ran a commercial nursery garden...
in 1847, just after his death. The genus Herbertia of Sweet commemorated his name.
His major works, including sermons, reviews, and scientific memoirs, besides his early poetical volumes, appeared in 2 volumes in 1842. He edited Musae Etonensis (1795) while still at school and, on quitting Eton, obtained a prize for a Latin poem on the subject Rhenus, which was published. A translation appeared in Translations of Oxford Prize Poems, 1831.
Recognition
The International Bulb SocietyInternational Bulb Society
The International Bulb Society was founded in 1933 and is an international society dedicated to informing the public about the science, cultivation, conservation and botany of geophytic plants, commonly known as bulbs.-Awards:...
awards The Herbert Medal
The Herbert Medal
The Herbert Medal is awarded by the International Bulb Society to those whose achievements in advancing knowledge of bulbous plants is considered to be outstanding.The medal is named for William Herbert, a noted 19th century botanist...
to persons making meritorious achievement in advancing the knowledge of bulbous plants.
Family
Herbert married the Hon. Letitia Emily Dorothea, second daughter of Joshua Allen, 5th Viscount AllenJoshua Allen, 5th Viscount Allen
Captain Joshua Allen, 5th Viscount Allen was an Irish peer.-Life:The son of Hon. Richard A. Allen, and grandson of John Allen, 1st Viscount Allen, he succeeded to the title of 5th Viscount Allen, County Kildare, and its subsidiary titles, on 10 November 1753, on the death of his brother the 4th...
, on 17 May 1806, and was father of Henry William Herbert
Henry William Herbert
Henry William Herbert , pen name Frank Forester, was an English novelist and writer on sport.-Biography:The son of the Hon. and Rev. William Herbert, Dean of Manchester , Herbert was born in London.He was educated at Eton College and at Caius College, Cambridge, where he graduated BA in 1830...
and three other children.