The son of Francis Massingberd, rector of Washingborough, near Lincoln, and Elizabeth, his wife, youngest daughter of William Burrell Massingberd of Ormsby Hall, he was born at his father"s rectory, 3 December 1800, and baptised 30 December.
He gained a second class in literæ humaniores, and graduated Bachelor of Arts 5 December 1822, Master of Arts
After preparatory education at a school at Eltham, Kent, he entered Rugby School under Doctor John Wooll in 1814. He matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford, and was elected a demy, 23 July 1818. 26 June 1825. He was ordained deacon by Edward Legge, bishop of Oxford, 13 June 1824, and priest by George Pretyman Tomline, bishop of Lincoln, 5 September 1825, and was instituted to the family living of South Ormsby, Lincolnshire, on 9 December of that year.
When settled at Ormsby he rebuilt Driby church and restored that at Ormsby, erected a new rectory on a new site, and built schools, which he had originally started in a kitchen.
In 1841 he visited Italy, and spent two winters in Rome on account of his health. He was back at Ormsby in 1844.
In 1846 he declined an offer from Henry Phillpotts, bishop of Exeter to exchange into that diocese with the prospect of appointment to the first vacant archdeaconry. He was collated to the prebendal stall of Thorngate in Lincoln Cathedral by Bishop Kaye, 15 May 1847, and was made chancellor and canon residentiary by Bishop Jackson, 11 December 1862.
He frequently sat on committees and drew up their reports, and took a large share in the debates.
As chancellor of Lincoln he directed his efforts to the efficiency of the cathedral. Together with other minor reforms, he was the first to institute an afternoon nave sermon, and during successive Lents he delivered courses of lectures on the prayer-book and on church history. He died in London of congestion of the lungs on 5 December 1872, and was buried at South Ormsby.
He left two sons: Francis Burrell, captain 5th lancers.
And William Oswald, at one time rector of Ormsby.
