William Frere, was an English lawyer and academic, a law-serjeant and Master of Downing College, Cambridge.
Background
Frere was the fourth son of John Frere of Roydon, South Norfolk, and younger brother of John Hookham Frere. He was born 28 November 1775, but spent much of his childhood at the house of his uncle John Fenn and aunt Ellenor Fenn whom he later described as "looking up to my uncle and aunt as parents." He was sent to Felsted School and Eton College, and in 1796 obtained a scholarship at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Education
He graduated fifth senior optime in 1798.
Career
In 1800 he became fellow of the newly founded Downing College. He was called to the bar, and joined the Norfolk circuit in 1802. He was serjeant-at-law in 1809, and three years later was elected Master of Downing College, his appointment being unsuccessfully contested at law.
He was made recorder of Bury Saint Edmunds in 1814, and in 1819 became vice-chancellor of Cambridge University.
He lived for part of each year on an estate which he bought at Balsham, Cambridgeshire. He proceeded Doctor of Laws at Cambridge 1825, and Doctorate.C.L. at Oxford 1834.
In 1826 he quit the Barometer He died 25 May 1836.