Author: Hurd, Richard
Biography:
HURD, Richard (1720-1808: ODNB)
Although Hurd made his name as an author well before 1770, he maintained literary interests and connections all his life. He was born at Congreve (or Congreave), Staffordshire, on 13 Jan. 1720, the son of a yeoman farmer, John Hurd, and his wife Hannah Evans, who had married in 1714. With a grammar-school education and some private instruction, he was admitted to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, as a Sizar in 1733 (matric. 1735, BA 1739, MA 1742, Fellow 1742, DD 1768). Ordained deacon in 1742 and priest in 1744, he remained at Emmanuel until 1756, publishing editions of Horace; prose essays and dialogues on various topics, notably Letters on Chivalry and Romance (1762); and pamphlets and monographs on theological issues. After his appointment as Rector of Thurcaston, Leicestershire (1756-76) and of Folkton, Yorkshire (1762-74), he rose rapidly through the clerical hierarchy. He was appointed Preacher at Lincoln’s Inn, London, in 1765; later appointments included the bishoprics of Lichfield (1774-81) and of Worcester (1781-death), and he is known to have declined the archbishopric of Canterbury. A personal friend of George III, he was appointed preceptor to the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York in 1776. His publications after 1770 include editions of literary works by Cowley and Addison. A collected edition of his own works in eight volumes was published posthumously (1811). He died at the bishop’s residence, Hartlebury Castle, Worcester, on 28 May 1808 and was buried in the churchyard there on 10 June; he left a bequest of £2000 to Emmanuel College. There is also a monument in Worcester Cathedral. (ODNB 12 Jan. 2023; ACAD; findmypast.com 13 Jan. 2023) HJ