The Cambridge College of Saint John the Evangelist
- a brief history
Butlers and Shrewsbury
The better known Samuel Butler (1835-1902) was named after his grandfather
Dr Samuel Butler, the son of a linen draper. Dr Butler (born 1774) was
educated at Rugby
and then St John's (matriculated 1791), his talent as a classicist was
evident: Browne Medallist, Latin Ode 1792-93, Greek Ode 1794; Craven
Scholar, 1793; fourth senior optime and first Chancellor's medal, 1796;
Platt Fellow of St John's, 1797. He set an almost impossible example
for his next two generations of Butlers who followed him to St John's.
Dr Butler's engagement to Harriet Apthorp conspired with the vacancy
of a school mastership and brought him (at the age of 24) to Shrewsbury, where he was to
stay for the next 38 years restoring Shrewsbury to the status of a
top public school in the country. His mastership was later succeeded by
his star pupil Dr Kennedy. Famous Salopians (Shrewsbury old boys) include:
Francis France, Erasmus and Charles Darwin, William Bateson, Richard Shilleto,
J.E.B. Mayor.
Thomas, Dr Butler's only son, followed the predictable progression of Shrewsbury,
St John's, ordination, schoolmastering and a vicarage. He was a contemporary of
Erasmus and Charles Darwin at Shrewsbury: Charles went to Christ's and Thomas
came to St John's where he achieved a 7th in the First class of the Classical
Tripos.
Thomas Butler had four children: Harriet, Samuel, Thomas and Mary (May)
(the name confusion is inevitable here); both Samuel and Thomas attended Shrewsbury
(where they were taught by Dr Kennedy) and then St John's,
with Samuel achieving a 12th whilst Thomas left Cambridge
without a degree.
