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 - April 14, 1574 | Res. | Thomas Lovell | |
| April 14, 1574 - Unknown | William Barkely, Gent. | ||
| 1572–1577 | Thomas Smeton | ||
| Post-Second Royal Charter (1584 - 1899) | |||
| Jan 10, 1583–1587 | Edward Watson, M.A. | ||
| March, 1587 - November, 1588 | Res. | Samuel Harsnett, M.A. | Gives name to school house |
| November 12, 1588 – 1598 | Samuel Bentley, M.A. | ||
| 1598 - 1598 | Theophilus Field | Only recognised in single source. | |
| December 18, 1598 - April 22, 1637 | Died | William Kemp(e), M.A. | |
| May 20, 1637 - 1637 | Removed | Jonas Proost (Proast) | Approved by the Bishop of London on date given; Never appointed. |
| September 9, 1637 - January 17, 1643 | Res. | William Dugard, M.A. | Gives name to school house. Previously Headmaster of Stamford School. |
| June 30, 1643 – 1647 | Thomas Waterhouse, M.A. | ||
| February 7, 1648 - June 24, 1659 | Res. | Nathaniel Seaman, M.A. | |
| June 24, 1659 - November 11, 1662 | Res. | John Ruting, M.A. | Born Jan Ruytinck. |
| November 11, 1662 - March 25, 1664 | Res. | Edward Burles, M.A. | |
| June 7, 1664 - July 17, 1671 | Res. | Lewis Griffin, M.A. | |
| July 17, 1671 - November 21, 1684 | Res. | James Cranston, M.A. | |
| November 21, 1684 - September 23, 1695 | Res | William Slinger, M.A. | |
| September 23, 1695 - c. 1702 | Richard Reynolds, M.A. | ||
| 1702–1723 | Died | Thomas Allen, M.A., B.D. | |
| April 18, 1723 - January 24, 1726 | Died | William Turner, M.A. | Previously Headmaster of Stamford School. |
| March 15, 1726 – 1727 | Res. | David Comarque, M.A. | Family entirely French. |
| December 20, 1727 - December 25, 1776 | Died | Palmer Smythies, M.A. | |
| April 15, 1777 - January 1, 1779 | Res. | Samuel Parr, M.A. | Gives name to school house. |
| January, 1779 - April, 1806 | Res. | Charles Hewitt, M.A. | |
| September 27, 1806 - January, 1835 | Died | Edward Crosse, M.A. | |
| March 23, 1835 - August 19, 1839 | Died | John Saunders, M.A | |
| January 3, 1840 - April, 1851 | Res. | John Dunningham, M.A. | |
| February 4, 1852 - October 20, 1870 | Died | William Wright, M.A., L.L.D., D.C.L. | |
| December 15, 1870 - April 12, 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) | |||
| September 1, 1900 - July, 1916 | Res. | Percy Shaw Jeffrey, M.A. | First lay headmaster. Gives name to school house. |
| September 1, 1916 - July, 1937 | Res. | Harry James Cape, M.A., B.A., B.Sc. | |
| September 1, 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.