Thomas Postlethwaite

Thomas Postlethwaite (1731 – 4 May 1798) was an English clergyman and Cambridge fellow, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1789 to 1798.

Thomas Postlethwaite
Born1731
Milnthorpe, Westmorland, England
Died4 May 1798(1798-05-04) (aged 66–67)
Bath, Somerset, England
NationalityEnglish
Alma materTrinity College, Cambridge
Scientific career
FieldsMathematician
InstitutionsTrinity College, Cambridge
Academic advisorsStephen Whisson
Notable studentsThomas Jones

Biography

Thomas Postlethwaite was the son of Richard Postlethwaite of Crooklands, near Milnthorpe, Westmorland. He attended St Bees School before entering Trinity College, Cambridge as a sizar in 1749. Graduating BA in 1753, he became a fellow of Trinity in 1755.[1] He was Barnaby lecturer in Mathematics in 1758. Ordained in 1756, he was from 1774 until his death Rector of Hamerton. He was appointed Master of Trinity in 1789, and in 1791 served as university Vice-Chancellor.[1] He died at Bath on 4 May 1798 and is buried in Bath Abbey church.

He is mainly remembered for depriving the Cambridge classicist Richard Porson of his income, apparently in an attempt to force him to take Holy Orders.[2]

References
  1. "Postlethwaite, Thomas (PSTT749T)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  2. E.H.Barker, Literary Reminiscences, vol 2, 1852, p. 9.
Academic offices
Preceded by
John Hinchcliffe		 Master of Trinity College, Cambridge
1789–1798		 Succeeded by
William Lort Mansel


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