Background
He was born on 8 February 1754 at Barnack in Northamptonshire, where his father, Thomas Rennell (1720–1798), a prebendary of Winchester, was rector.
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Thomas Rennell
Edit ProfileEducation
He graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1777, Master of Arts
Career
In 1766 Thomas was sent to Eton, and thence proceeded to King"s College, Cambridge, where in due time he became a fellowship per literature regional in 1779, and Doctor of Divinity in 1794. Mathias mentions him in the poem, in conjunction with Bishops Horsley and Douglas. Rennell left Cambridge on taking holy orders, and became curate to his father at Barnack.
His ample leisure he devoted to theology.
His father soon resigned his prebendal stall at Winchester in his favour, and in 1787 he undertook the charge of the populous parish of Alton. Subsequently, perhaps through the influence of the Marquis of Buckingham, he was presented to the rectory of Saint Magnus, London Bridge.
When he proceeded Doctor of Divinity at Cambridge, in 1794, he preached a commencement sermon on the French Revolution which impressed Pitt, who called him "the Demosthenes of the pulpit". In 1797 Pitt urged him to accept the mastership of the Temple.
He resigned his prebendal stall next year, and devoted himself to his new office.
Again, through Pitt"s influence, he was appointed in 1805 dean of Winchester, and extensive repairs took place in the fabric of the cathedral under his direction. He died at the deanery, Winchester, on 31 March 1840, in his eighty-seventh year. Rennell"s reputation stood high as a scholar and theologian.
Doctor Samuel Parr described him as "most illustrious".
Membership
Royal Society]
He made friends with the great lawyers of the day, such as Eldon, Stowell, Kenyon, and Erskine, and cultivated the society of the junior members of the bar and the law students.
Personality
He was a diligent student, and though, as a King"s man, he could not compete for mathematical honours, he obtained in 1778 one of the member"s prizes for bachelors for the best Latin essay on "Government".
Connections
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Born
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Died
1840 (aged 86) -
Nationality
U Kingdom of Great Britain