Author: Goddard, J. G.
Biography:
GODDARD, J. G. (1802-31: ancestry.co.uk)
Melanthus Before the Flood is attributed to “J. G. G.” on the title page and the Advertisement is addressed from York Chambers, St. James’s Street. A manuscript note in the BL copy identifies the author as J. G. Goddard. He was John Griffiths Goddard, the eldest son of John Goddard and his wife Sophia Griffiths. They had married at Saint Giles, Cripplegate, London, on 5 May 1796. John Griffiths was baptised at St. Alban, Wood St., London, on 15 July 1802. He was educated at Exeter School in Devon before being admitted to St. Catharine’s, Cambridge, on 30 June 1828. He migrated to Trinity College on 1 Apr. 1830; his will identifies him as Bachelor of Medicine. Given his age at the time of beginning his university studies, it seems very likely that he suffered from poor health, possibly tuberculosis. He died at Tunbridge Wells on 31 Mar. 1831. His will was made on the day of his death and witnessed by a surgeon; it appoints his sisters Sophia (b 1798) and Harriet (b 1804) as executors charged with ensuring that his funeral expenses and debts are paid, and that his watch is given to the Rev. John Collinson of Kibblesworth, Durham, and his dressing case to a Sarah Browning. The will was proved on 15 Apr. 1831. (ancestry.co.uk 12 Sept. 2024; ACAD; Cambridge Chronicle 22 Apr. 1831)