List of headmasters at Colchester Royal Grammar School

This table lists the official (not de facto) appointment and end dates of the headmasters of Colchester Royal Grammar School, 1530 to present. Until the New Scheme of 1899, all headmasters had to be in holy orders; most were local clergy. (Res. signifies resigned.)

Tenure How ended Headmaster Notes
Between First and Second Royal Charters (1534–1584)
Mentioned 1540 Robert Cock
Mentioned 1553 Robert Wrennald
Mentioned 1558 Richard Whittall
Unknown - 14 April 1574 Res. Thomas Lovell
14 April 1574 - Unknown William Barkely, Gent.
1572–1577 Thomas Smeton
Post-Second Royal Charter (1584 - 1899)
10 Jan 1583–1587 Edward Watson, M.A.
March, 1587 - November, 1588 Res. Samuel Harsnett, M.A. Gives name to school house
12 November 1588 – 1598 Samuel Bentley, M.A.
1598 - 1598 Theophilus Field Only recognised in single source.
18 December 1598 – 22 April 1637 Died William Kemp(e), M.A.
20 May 1637 - 1637 Removed Jonas Proost (Proast) Approved by the Bishop of London on date given; Never appointed.
9 September 1637 – 17 January 1643 Res. William Dugard, M.A. Gives name to school house. Previously Headmaster of Stamford School.
30 June 1643 – 1647 Thomas Waterhouse, M.A.
7 February 1648 – 24 June 1659 Res. Nathaniel Seaman, M.A.
24 June 1659 – 11 November 1662 Res. John Ruting, M.A. Born Jan Ruytinck.
11 November 1662 – 25 March 1664 Res. Edward Burles, M.A.
7 June 1664 – 17 July 1671 Res. Lewis Griffin, M.A.
17 July 1671 – 21 November 1684 Res. James Cranston, M.A.
21 November 1684 – 23 September 1695 Res William Slinger, M.A.
23 September 1695 - c. 1702 Richard Reynolds, M.A.
1702–1723 Died Thomas Allen, M.A., B.D.
18 April 1723 – 24 January 1726 Died William Turner, M.A. Previously Headmaster of Stamford School.
15 March 1726 – 1727 Res. David Comarque, M.A. Family entirely French.
20 December 1727 – 25 December 1776 Died Palmer Smythies, M.A.
15 April 1777 – 1 January 1779 Res. Samuel Parr, M.A. Gives name to school house.
January, 1779 - April, 1806 Res. Charles Hewitt, M.A.
27 September 1806 - January, 1835 Died Edward Crosse, M.A.
23 March 1835 – 19 August 1839 Died John Saunders, M.A
3 January 1840 - April, 1851 Res. John Dunningham, M.A.
4 February 1852 – 20 October 1870 Died William Wright, M.A., L.L.D., D.C.L.
15 December 1870 – 12 April 1892 Res. Charles Lawford Acland, M.A.
April, 1892 - May, 1899 Res. John Thomas, M.A. Temporary Headmaster during the dispute over the introduction of a new scheme. Shaw Jeffrey did not recognise him as being a 'full' Headmaster.
1899–1900 Temp. G. J. Yates, M.A. Temporary Headmaster during the dispute over the introduction of a new scheme. Shaw Jeffrey did not recognise him as being a 'full' Headmaster and he continued under Shaw Jeffrey as 'Senior Master' until 1906.
Post-New Scheme (1899–present)
1 September 1900 - July, 1916 Res. Percy Shaw Jeffrey, M.A. First lay headmaster. Gives name to school house.
1 September 1916 - July, 1937 Res. Harry James Cape, M.A., B.A., B.Sc.
1 September 1937 - July, 1947 Arthur William Fletcher, M.A.
1948–1968 Jack Elam, M.A.
1968–1984 Res. Stanley Gardner, M.A., B.Litt., D.Phil.
1985–2000 Res. Stewart Francis, M.A.
2000–2015 Res. Ken L. Jenkinson, M.A.
2015–present N/A John Russell

Sources

  • Martin, G. H. (March 1947). "The History of Colchester Royal Grammar School". The Colcestrian.