| Enhanced version of original printed entry | Encoded version: searched-for items red; some Appendix and Addenda included; unique identifier CHRN775E |
| Christian, Edward. Adm. pens. (age 17) at PETERHOUSE, Mar. 29, 1775. Of Cumberland. [S. of Charles, of Morland Close.] Bapt. at Brigham, Cumberland, Mar. 3, 1758. Scholar, 1775; matric. Michs. 1776. Migrated to St John's, May 2, 1777; Scholar, 1777; 2nd Chancellor's Medal; Prizeman; B.A. (3rd Wrangler) 1779; M.A. 1782. Fellow of St John's, 1780-9. It would appear that for a few months he was Head Master of Hawkshead Grammar School, 1781. [His parentage is not given in either of the College Registers.] He was a brother of Fletcher Christian, the Master's mate of the Bounty (see The Mutineers of the Bounty, by Lady Diana Belcher, p. 6). To the Minutes of the proceedings in the Court Martial held at Portsmouth, Aug. 12, 1793, on the Bounty mutineers, Christian added an appendix, purporting to give a full account of the causes of the mutiny. This evoked a reply from Admiral Bligh, who described the appendix – as 'the work of Mr Edward Christian, the brother of Fletcher Christian, written apparently for the purpose of vindicating his brother's conduct at my expense'. Adm. at Gray's Inn, July 5, 1782, as 'of Morland Close, Cumberland, gent.' Called to the Bar, Jan. 25, 1786. Bencher, 1809. Treasurer, 1810-11. Professor of Common Law, May 10, 1788. First Downing Professor of the Laws of England, 1788-1823. Chief Justice of the Isle of Ely, 1800. One of the Counsel for the University in the litigation which ultimately led to the foundation of Downing College. A candidate for the office of Registrar of the Corporation of the Bedford Level, 1804 (his election address was printed in the Cambridge Chronicle, Mar. 30, 1805); the result of the voting was challenged and a controversy ensued. There was apparently a scuffle for the possession of the office of the corporation and further controversy (Cambridge Chronicle, July 20, 1805). Professor of Law at the East India Company's College at Hertford, 1806-18. As Chief Justice, noted for his lengthy, and mostly irrelevant, charges to the Grand Jury; wittily said by Gunning to have died, 'in the full vigour of his incapacity.' The Universities are, however, indebted to him for having successfully worked for their rights to a copy of every copyrighted work. Author, legal. Married, at Rochdale, Lancs., Oct. 11, 1809, Mary, eldest daughter of John Walmsley, of Tentercroft and Castlemere. Died s.p. Mar. 29, 1823, aged 62 (sic), at Downing College. M.I. at Broxbourne, Herts. Brother of John (1773). (T. A. Walker, 340; St John's Coll. Adm., IV; D.N.B.; Gunning, Reminiscences, I. 192-200.) | Edward CHRISTIAN Approx. lifespan: 1758–1823 Tripos: John Math. 1779star Adm pens. aged 17 Peterhouse 1775:03:29 Of Cumberland s. of Charles CHRISTIAN of Morland Close.] c. at Brigham, Cumberland 1758:03:03 Scholar 1775 Matric 1776:10MT: Mig. to St John's College 1777:05:02 Scholar 1777 2nd Chancellor's Medal; Prizeman; BA 3 rd Wrangler 1779 MA 1782 Fellow of St John's College 1780-89 It would appear that for a few months he was Headmaster of: : Sch: Hawkshead Grammar School [Hawkshead], [ Lancashire ] 1781 [His parentage is not given in either of the College Registers.] He was a brother of Fletcher Christian, the Master's mate of the Bounty ( see The Mutineers of the Bounty, by Lady Diana Belcher, p. 6) To the Minutes of the proceedings in the Court Martial held at Portsmouth, [ Hampshire ] 1793:08:12, on the Bounty mutineers, Christian added an appendix, purporting to give a full account of the causes of the mutiny. This evoked a reply from Admiral Bligh, who described the appendix-as "the work of Mr Edward CHRISTIAN, the brother of Fletcher CHRISTIAN, written apparently for the purpose of vindicating his brother's conduct at my expense". Adm. Gray's Inn: 1782:07:05, as "of Morland Close, Cumberland , gent." Called to the Bar: 1786:01:25 Bencher: 1809 Treasurer: 1810-11 Professor of Common Law: 1788:05:10 First Downing Professor of: : Laws of England 1788-1823 Chief Justice of: : Isle of Ely 1800 One of the Counsel for: : University in the litigation which ultimately led to the foundation of Sch: Downing College A candidate for the office of Registrar of: : Corporation of Bedford Level 1804 (his election address was printed in the Cambridge Chronicle 1805:03:30 ); the result of the voting was challenged and a controversy ensued. There was apparently a scuffle for the possession of the office of the corporation and further controversy ( Cambridge Chronicle 1805:07:20 ) Professor of Law at: : Sch: East India Company's College at Hertford, [ Hertfordshire ] 1806-18 As Chief Justice: noted for his lengthy, and mostly irrelevant, charges to the Grand Jury; wittily said by Gunning to have died, "in the full vigour of his incapacity." The Universities are, however, indebted to him for having successfully worked for their rights to a copy of every copyrighted work. Author, legal. m. at Rochdale, Lancashire 1809:10:11, Mary, eldest daughter of John Walmsley, of Tentercroft and Castlemere, [ Lancashire ???] d. s.p. 1823:03:29 aged 62 ( sic ), at Sch: Downing College MI Broxbourne, Hertfordshire brother of John CHRISTIAN (1773) ( T. A. Walker, 340; St John's College Adm., IV; D.N.B.; Gunning, Reminiscences, I. 192-200.) |