FARMER

From Agepedia

FARMER, Richard, a celebrated scholar and critic, was born at Leicester, May 4, 1735. His father was a hosier in that town, and after receiving the rudiments of education there, he became a student at Emanuel college, Cambridge, where, in 1760, he was appointed classical tutor. He applied himself particularly to old English literature. In 1766, he published a wellwritten and wellreceived Essay on the Learning of Shakspeare, in which he maintains that the bard obtained his knowledge of ancient history and mythology from translations, and not from original classical authors. This essay obtained a flattering notice from doctor Johnson. In 1767, he was appointed a preacher at Whitehall, which gave him frequent opportunities of residence in London, wrhere he became a distinguished book collector. He was soon appointed to the chancellorship and prebendal stall in the cathedral of Litchfield; and, in 1775, he was chosen master of Emanuel college. He was afterwards made principal librarian to the university of Cambridge, and filled, in his turn, the office of vicechancellor. Lord North conferred upon him a prebend, and he was twice offered a bishopric by the late Mr. Pitt, but he preferred a residentiary ship of St. Paul's, which he exchanged for his prebend. He published but little. He assisted many authors, in various works, for which he received their public acknowledgements and thanks. Doctor Farmer died at Cambridge, after a long protracted illness, Sept. 8, 1797, aged 62 years, much respected for his liberality to the poor, and the various plans by him suggested for the improvement of the town of Cambridge.