Spencer Cowper (priest) explained

Spencer Cowper (priest) should not be confused with Spencer Cowper.

Spencer Cowper (1713–1774) was Dean of Durham Cathedral from 1746 to 1774,^[1] known also for his early contributions to meteorology and his liking for poetry and music.^[2]

Life and work

Cowper was the younger son of William Cowper, the first Earl and the first Lord Chancellor of Great Britain, and his second wife Mary Clavering. He was the cousin of the poet William Cowper.^[2]

He was educated at Exeter College, Oxford, matriculating in 1729 aged 16, graduating B.A. 1732, M.A. 1734, B.D. & D.D. 1746.

Along with his religious duties as Dean of Durham, he kept a naturalist's journal which included records of the local meteorology.^[2]

Some of Cowper's sermons^[3] survive, as does a collection of his letters published in 1956.^[4]

Notes and References

1. 6508. Cowper, Spencer. 2004. 2008. Deconinck-Brossard. Francoise.
2. 40647193 . A Contribution to Meteorology by Spencer Cowper, Dean of Durham 1746-74 . Kenworthy, Joan M . McCollum, Margaret S . Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London . March 2009 . 63 . 1 . 57–80 . 10.1098/rsnr.2007.0047. 145590156 .
3. Book: Eight Discourses preached on or near the great festivals in the Cathedral Church of Durham . W. Brown . Cowper, Spencer . 1773 . London: the corner of Essex-Street in the Strand.
4. Book: Letters of Spencer Cowper, Dean of Durham, 1746-74 . Andrews & Co . Cowper, Spencer . 1956 . Hughes, Edward.