List of masters of Gresham's School

The original school, founded in Sir John Gresham's manor house at Holt, sketched in 1838

This is a list of the Masters (later Headmasters) and Ushers (later Second Masters) of Gresham's School, Holt.

Masters, 1562–1900

• 1560s: Master Robinson^[1]
• 1570s: Master Harrison^[1]
• 1584–1602: Christopher Williams^[1]
• 1602–1605: Reverend Richard Snoden MA (Cantab.)^[1]
• 1605–1606: Reverend Francis Catlyn MA (Cantab.)^[1]
• 1606–1639: John Tallis MA (Cantab.)^[1]
• 1639–1640: Reverend Nathaniel Gill^[1]
• 1640: John Tallis MA (Cantab.) (again)^[1]
• 1640–1644: Sir Thomas Witherley^[1]
• 1644–1646: John Fenn^[1]
• 1646–1659: Reverend Francis Wright MA (Oxon.), fellow of Merton College, Oxford^[1]
• 1659–1660: Reverend William Hickes MA (Cantab.), previously Master of Oundle^[1]
• 1660–1665: Reverend Henry Mazy MA (Cantab.)^[1]
• 1665–1667: Reverend John Goodman (acting Master)^[1]
• 1667–1692: Reverend Thomas Bainbridge MA (Cantab.)^[1]
• 1692–1716: Reverend William Reynolds MA (Oxon.)^[1]
• 1716–1729: Reverend David Duncombe MA (St Andrew's) (d. 1729)^[1]
• 1730–1760: John Holmes - writer of textbooks on grammar, rhetoric and astronomy^[1]
• 1760: John Knox^[1]
• 1760–1787: James Smith^[1]
• 1787–1806: Thomas Atkins^[1]
• 1806–1807: Reverend Mr Babington (acting Master)^[1]
• 1807–1809: Thomas Atkins (again)^[1][2]
• 1809–1857: Reverend Benjamin Pullan, alias Pulleyne, MA (Cantab.), fellow of Clare College, Cambridge^[1][3]
• 1858–1867: Reverend Charles Allen Elton, MA BD (Cantab.), fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge^[1][4]
• 1867–1900: Reverend Reginald Jolliffe Roberts, MA (Cantab.)^[1][5]

Headmasters, 1900 to date

• 1900–1919: George William Saul Howson, MA (Oxon.), formerly of Uppingham, reforming headmaster^[1]
• 1919–1935: James Ronald Eccles, MA (Cantab.)^[1]
• 1935–1944: Philip Staniforth Newell, MA (Cantab.)^[1]
• 1944–1955: Martin John Olivier, MA (Oxon.) - previously of Rossall, later head of Guthlaxton College, Wigston Magna^[1]
• 1955–1982: Logie Bruce Lockhart, MA (Cantab.), international rugby footballer^[1][6]
• 1982–1985: Dr Timothy Phillips Woods, MA (Rhodes) DPhil (Oxon.)^[1][6]
• 1985–1991: Hugh Raymond Wright, MA (Oxon.), later Chief Master of King Edward's School, Birmingham (1991–1998) and Chairman of the HMC^[1][6]
• 1991–2002: John Hardy Arkell, MA (Cantab.), formerly head of Wrekin College^[1][6][7]
• 2002–2008: Anthony Roy Clark, MA (Cantab.) - formerly head of St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown, South Africa^[1][6]
• 2008–2013 : Philip John BA - formerly head of King William's College, Isle of Man
• 2013–2014 : Nigel Flower (Acting Headmaster) BA
• 2014– : Douglas Robb MA (Edin.) MEd (Cantab.)

Ushers

1602–1606: Nicholas Stephenson[1] ? to 1621: Reverend John Watson[1] 1627–1632: Reverend Thomas Cooper[1] 1632–1638: Nicholas Davie[1] 1638: Reverend Thomas Cooper (again)[1] 1638–1639: Henry Luce[1] 1640: Henry Luce (again)[1] 1640–1643: Timothy Cutler[1] 1643–1644: Reverend Thomas Cooper (again)[1][8] - hanged in 1650 as a Royalist rebel 1658–1660: Reverend Henry Mazy[1] 1661–1665: Reverend John Goodman[1] 1689–1692: Thomas Kellway[1] 1692: William Chambers[1] 1692–1695: Thomas Garrett[1] 1695: William Rowland[1] 1696–1697: Thomas Turner[1] 1697–1704: Thomas Plumstead[1]

1705–1708: John Reynolds[1] 1708: John Fox[1] 1708–1713: William Selth[1] 1713–1714: John Spurling[1] 1714–1715: William Chaplyn[1] c. 1718: John Brooke[1] c. 1725: John Holmes[1] 1729: Edward Read[1] 1770s: Christopher Stangroom[1] 1796–1801: David Kinnebrook[1] 1810–1811: Reverend Robert Davies[1] 1811–1813: Peter Barney[1] 1813–1821: Daniel Carr[1][9] 1821: James Sturley[1] 1821–1828: Reverend Thomas Beckwith[1] 1828–1843: Reverend William Robert Taylor[1] 1843–1851: John Slann (first Second Master)[1]

Second Masters

1843–1851: John Slann (last Usher)[1] 1851: William Allen Rudkin[1] 1851–1857: John Hubbert Kent[1] 1858–1860: J. Rodney Phillips[1] 1860: Berney Wodehouse Raven[1] 1860–1862: Charles Frederick Furbank[1] 1862–1863: Frederick Roy Dowson[1] 1863–1864: Rev. George W. Anstiss[1][10] 1864–1865: Henry David Jones[1] 1865–1866: William Henry Hooper[1] 1866–1867: Matthew Walter Tunnicliffe[1][11] 1867: William Remington Backhouse[1] 1867: John Robinson Wells[1] 1867–1869: Robert Stokes[1]

1869–1871: Robert Campbell Conolly[1] 1871–1872: John Lowndes[1]>[12] 1872–1880: Stephen Bousfield[1] 1881–1900: John Henry Howell[1] 1900–1907: John Goodrich Wemyss Woods[1] 1907–1919: James Ronald Eccles, later headmaster[1] 1919–1928: John Chambré Miller[1][13] 1928–1942: Joseph Foster[1] 1942–1963: A. Bruce Douglas[1][14] 1963–1970: Bernard Sankey[1] 1970–1977: Paul V. A. Colombé[1] 1977–1985: John Coleridge[1] 1985–2001: Richard N. K. Copas[1]

Deputy Heads (Pastoral)

• 2001–2006: S. Smart
• 2006–2013: N. C. Flower

Deputy Heads (Academic)

• 2001–2010: Dr. N. White
• 2010–2013: D. Miles
• 2013– : S. Kinder

Chaplains

• ? – 1946: Rev. Edward Francis Habershon^[15]
• 1946–1950: Rev. Charles L. S. Linnell^[16]
• 1951–1959: Rev. Dr. Wilfred Andrews MA DPhil
• 1959–1974: Rev. Douglas C. Argyle MA^[17]
• 1974–1975: Rev. Percival Hallewell Rogers OBE MA (previously Headmaster of Portora Royal School, Enniskillen, 1954–1973)^[18][19]
• 1975–1983 Rev. Ray Bowen RAF
• 1983– 1991: Rev. A. Wadge^[20]
• currently: Rev. B. R. Roberts BD

Headmasters of the Junior School

• 1954–1969: John B. Williams OBE MA (Cantab.)
• 1969–1979: Michael Hughes
• 1979–1984: Neville Jones

The Junior School was reorganized into the Preparatory School and the Pre-Preparatory School in 1984.

Headmasters of the Preparatory School

• 1984–2003: Tony Cuff
• 2003–date: James Quick BA PGCE

Heads of the Pre-Preparatory School

• 1984–1991: Penelope Moore
• 1991–1997: Lesley Gillick
• 1997–2002: Daphne Dawson-Smith
• 2002–date: Janette Davidson

Housemasters and staff, 2011

Boys' houses^[21]

House	Housemaster	House Tutor	Matron
Howson's	Mr A. Stromberg BSc	Mr C. Reed BSc	Mrs S. Lancaster
Farfield	Mr D. Atkinson	Mr. D. Saker	Mrs J. Straton
Tallis	Mr P. Laidler	Mr L. Tao	Mrs B. Aldridge
Woodlands	Mr F. J. V. Retter BA (Exeter)	Mr R. West MMath (Warwick)	Mrs T. Cameron

Girls' houses^[21]

House	Housemistress	House Tutor	Matron
Edinburgh	Mrs S. Radley BEd	Miss L. B. Roberts BA, ARCM	Mrs N. Bancalari
Britten	Mrs J. E. Flower	Miss E. Thornbury	Mrs J. Wardlow
Oakeley	Mrs K. Mousley	Mrs L. Barden	Ms D. Bunkell

Notable masters

• John Holmes (Master, 1730–1760), writer of textbooks on grammar, rhetoric and astronomy^[22][23]
• George Howson (headmaster, 1900–1919)
• Dr Geoffrey Shaw (music master, 1902–1910), organist and composer^[24]
• C. V. Durell (assistant master, 1904–05), writer of mathematics textbooks^[22]
• Warin Foster Bushell (assistant master, 1907–1912), later headmaster of Michaelhouse and Birkenhead School and President of the Mathematical Association^[25]
• Dalziel Llewellyn Hammick (assistant master, Chemistry, 1910–1918) - research chemist^[26]
• Walter Greatorex (Director of Music, 1911–1949), composer^[23]
• Arnold Powell (assistant master, early 1900s), later head of Bedford Modern School and Epsom College^[27]
• Frank McEachran (assistant master from 1924), author^[28]
• Denys Thompson (assistant master, English, 1930s), editor of the quarterly Scrutiny with F. R. Leavis^[1] and of the journal The Use of English^[29]
• Professor Richard D'Aeth (assistant master, 1938–1940)^[30]
• Charles W. Lloyd (assistant master, 1946–1951), later Master of Dulwich College^[31]
• Logie Bruce Lockhart (headmaster, 1955–1982), Scotland rugby footballer^[6]
• Hugh Wright (headmaster 1985-1991), later Chief Master of King Edward's School, Birmingham (1991–1998) and Chairman of the HMC^[1][6]
• Patrick Thompson (assistant master, Physics, 1965–1983), Conservative Member of Parliament^[32]
• Graeme Fife (Classics master, 1970–1979), writer, playwright and broadcaster

See also

• Gresham's School
• List of Old Greshamians
• Category:People educated at Gresham's School

References

1. I Will Plant Me a Tree: an Illustrated History of Gresham's School by S. G. G. Benson and Martin Crossley Evans (James & James, London, 2002)
2. Atkins was dead by 1820: see Urban, Sylvanus, Gentleman's Magazine volume XC, for January to June 1820 (London, John Nichols & Son, 1820) Obituary, p. 477 online: "May 5 In Great Ormond street, the relict of Mr Atkins, formerly Master of Sir John Gresham's Grammar School, at Holt, in Norfolk."
3. Benjamin Pullan was educated at Wakefield Grammar School, was elected a Cave Scholar on 19 January 1805, was Senior Optime in 1808, and was described as "Master of Holt Grammar School, Norfolk, in 1837". (Peacock, Matthew, 'The History of Wakefield Grammar School', Milnes, 1892, p. 182)
4. Burke, Edmund, Annual Register for 1858, p. 511 (London, Rivington's, 1859): [Promotions, July 1858] "Rev. C. A. Elton to be Head Master of the Gresham Grammar School, Holt, Norfolk."
5. Roberts, Rev. R.J., M.A., Head Master, Holt Grammar School: from The Teachers List (1872) p. 216
6. Who's Who 2003 (A. & C. Black, London, 2003)
7. Born 10 July 1939 (Birthdays in The Independent dated July 10, 1999, accessed 9 January 2009
8. CCED for Joseph Hall, Bishop of Norwich: "1643 / Subsc / Cooper, Thomas / Holt Grammar School / Schoolmaster"
9. Notice in Norwich Mercury newspaper dated December 8, 1821:"D. CARR Begs leave respectfully to inform the inhabitants of Fakenham, and the Public in general, that after the Christmas Vacation, he intends opening a BOARDING and DAY SCHOOL, in that Place, for the reception of YOUNG GENTLEMEN... D. CARR has spent six years and a half as Sub-Master in the Holt Grammar School, under the Rev. B. Pullan; and a year and a half as one of the Masters in the Norwich grammar School, under the Rev. E. Valpy, by whom he was also formerly instructed. NB Letters addressed to D. Carr, Holt, will receive immediate attention."
10. 'Ecclesiastical News' in Liverpool Mercury, Saturday, February 13, 1864; Issue 4997
11. Matthew Walter Tunnicliffe of St John's College, Cambridge, graduated BA 1866; second master of Holt Grammar School, Norfolk, 1866-67; curate of Ringstead, Norfolk, 1867-69, of Elmley, Yorks, 1869-71; Vicar of Earlsheaton, Yorks., 1871; died 1891: from Leeds Grammar School Admission Books, from 1820 to 1900 (Thoresby Society, 1906) p. 139
12. "Lowndes, J., B.A., Assistant Master, Holt Grammar School": from The Teachers List (1872) p. 206
13. Died 1928: obituary in The Times, Sept. 6, 1928; pg. 15; Issue 44991; col A
14. Died 1963: see L. Bruce Lockart, Mr. A. B. Douglas in The Times, Friday, Dec 27, 1963; pg. 10; Issue 55893; col D
15. born 9 May 1886 (habershons.com); educated Harrow School and Clare College, Cambridge
16. Benson, I Will Plant Me a Tree, p. 56 & pp. 92-93: Linnell was also the editor of the School Register published in 1955
17. Previously assistant chaplain at Repton School: see The Times, Tuesday, Nov 24, 1959; pg. 14; Issue 54626; col E
18. Sandford Link Archive Issue 37 February 1985 at sandfordonthames.co.uk, accessed 9 January 2009
19. Born 1913; author of A Guide to Divinity Teaching (London, SPCK, 1962)
20. The Times, Tuesday, May 10, 1983; pg. 14; Issue 61528; col C
21. Senior Staff list at greshams.com
22. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004)
23. The History and Register of Gresham's School, 1555–1954 (Ipswich, 1955)
24. Geoffrey Shaw (Composer, Arranger) at www.bach-cantatas.com
25. BUSHELL, Warin Foster, in Who Was Who 1897-2007 online, retrieved 24 May 2008 from BUSHELL, Warin Foster (2008)
26. Dalziel Llewellyn Hammick, 1887-1966 by E. J. Bowen in Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society, vol. 13, November 1967, pp. 107–124
27. The Times, Saturday, January 13, 1917, issue 41375, p. 4, col. B
28. According to W. H. Auden's The Map of All My Youth (Clarendon Press, 1990, p. 117), McEachran arrived at Gresham's as a master in September 1924. His books include The Civilized Man (1930), The Destiny of Europe (1932), The Life and Philosophy of Johann Gottfried Herder (1939), Freedom - The Only End, Spells for Poets, and More Spells
29. Obituary of Boris Ford in College Record 1998 of Downing College, Cambridge (accessed 22 October 2007)
30. Professor Richard D'Aeth, obituary in The Independent dated May 5, 2008
31. Who’s Who 1997 (A. & C. Black, London, 1997) p. 1186
32. THOMPSON, (Hugh) Patrick in Who's Who 2007 online (accessed 28 September 2007)