Background
Born at Horningsheath in Suffolk on 23 January 1730, he was the eldest son of John Symonds (died 1757), rector of the parish, by his wife Mary (died 1774), daughter of Sir William Spring of Pakenham, bart.
Born at Horningsheath in Suffolk on 23 January 1730, he was the eldest son of John Symonds (died 1757), rector of the parish, by his wife Mary (died 1774), daughter of Sir William Spring of Pakenham, bart.
Symonds was educated at Street John"s College, Cambridge, graduating Bachelor of Arts in 1752.
In 1753 he was elected a fellow of Peterhouse, and he proceeded Master of Arts in 1754. He was admitted to the Middle Temple in 1747, and was called to the bar in 1756. In 1771 Symonds was appointed professor of modern history on the death of Thomas Gray and in the following year he was created Doctor of Laws by royal mandate and migrated to Trinity College.
He died, unmarried, on 18 February 1807, at Bury Street Edmunds, where he acted as recorder, and was buried at Pakenham.
In his will Symonds gave directions for the donation of books to the Historical Library at Cambridge.
