Author: Beresford, James
Biography:
BERESFORD, James (1764-1840: ODNB)
He was the second son of Richard and Sarah (Blakeway) Beresford of Upham, Hampshire, and was born on 28 May 1764 and baptised on 24 July at Upham. He had four brothers and six sisters but just two sisters, Sarah and Anne, were still alive in 1838 when he made his will. At the age of nine he was sent to the Charterhouse school before studying at Merton College, Oxford (matric 24 Mar. 1783, BA 1786, MA 1798). He was ordained a deacon in 1788 and a priest in 1789 and became rector of Hawridge, Buckinghamshire. He was a fellow of his college which presented him in 1812 with the living of Kibworth Beauchamp in Leicestershire. CCEd records that he was also vicar of Snettisham in Norfolk. However, he lived at Kibworth Beauchamp and he died there on 29 Sept. 1840, leaving his estate to his sisters. Aside from verse, he also published sermons and theological works. A satire, Miseries of Human Life or, The last Groans of Timothy Testy and Samuel Sensitive, With a Few Supplementary Sighs from Mrs Testy (1806-07) was perhaps his most surprising and certainly his most popular publication. Walter Scott (q.v.) in his review of the book in ER (Oct. 1806) “strenuously” recommended it to all who love to laugh. (ODNB 5 Apr. 2023; findmypast.co.uk 5 Apr. 2023; CCEd; Alumni Oxonienses; GM 50 [1841], 548) SR