Newcome's School was a fashionable boys' school in Hackney, then to the east of London, founded in the early 18th century. A number of prominent Whig families sent their sons there. The school closed in 1815, and the buildings were gutted in 1820. In 1825 the London Orphan Asylum opened on the site. Today the Clapton Girls' Academy is located here.

History

Newcome's school was established in the early 18th century. During the 18th century and early 19th century, Hackney was home to schools of all kinds, including a number of significant

dissenting academies The dissenting academies were schools, colleges and seminaries (often institutions with aspects of all three) run by English Dissenters, that is, those who did not conform to the Church of England. They formed a significant part of England's edu ...

. It was considered a healthy area, close to London and with easy access in all weathers via the

Old North Road Ermine Street is a major Roman road in England that ran from London (''Londinium'') to Lincoln (''Lindum Colonia'') and York (''Eboracum''). The Old English name was ''Earninga Strǣt'' (1012), named after a tribe called the ''Earningas'' ...

. Many prominent Whig families sent their sons to the school, resulting in a large number of Members of Parliament having received their education there. Dr. Henry Newcome, who gave the school its name, was noted for Whig political principles, and the school stayed in the family for three generations, to 1803. The family descended from

Henry Newcome Henry Newcome (November 1627 – 17 September 1695) was an English nonconformist preacher and activist. Life Henry Newcome was born at Caldecote, Huntingdonshire, the fourth son of Stephen Newcome, rector of Caldicote. He was baptised on 2 ...

, a prominent nonconformist minister in Manchester. His third son Peter was an Anglican priest, and the father of the Henry Newcome who gave the school its name. Distinguished pupils included Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, Prime Minister from 1768 to 1770, and two

Founding Fathers of the United States The Founding Fathers of the United States, known simply as the Founding Fathers or Founders, were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the war for independence from Great Britai ...

(Middleton and Nelson). The school closed in 1815, and the building was knocked down in 1820. In 1825 the London Orphan Asylum opened on the site. The ''History of Parliament'' (1820–1832) comments that, even after its closure, the school could count nine Members of Parliament educated there in the period. It sent 42 pupils to

Trinity College, Cambridge Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, Trinity is one of the largest Cambridge colleges, with the largest financial endowment of any college at either Cambridge or Oxford. ...

. Today the Clapton Girls' Academy is located on the site.

Drama

Newcome's School was noted for a series of dramatic productions. In some case a

prologue A prologue or prolog (from Greek πρόλογος ''prólogos'', from πρό ''pró'', "before" and λόγος ''lógos'', "word") is an opening to a story that establishes the context and gives background details, often some earlier story that ...

epilogue An epilogue or epilog (from Ancient Greek, Greek ἐπίλογος ''epílogos'', "conclusion" from ἐπί ''epi'', "in addition" and λόγος ''logos'', "word") is a piece of writing at the end of a work of literature, usually used to bring c ...

was written specially. The school was one of a group that acted as preparatory schools to

Westminster School Westminster School is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school in Westminster, London, England, in the precincts of Westminster Abbey. It derives from a charity school founded by Westminster Benedictines before the 1066 Norman Conquest, as d ...

; the dramatic tradition imitated Westminster's, with the difference that plays were in English (rather than Latin). One of the contributors of prologues was David Garrick. The custom of giving a play every three years was also taken over from the Elizabethan statutes of Westminster School. It ended about 1800. * 1720s A prologue and epilogue to ''

Tamerlane Timur ; chg, ''Aqsaq Temür'', 'Timur the Lame') or as ''Sahib-i-Qiran'' ( 'Lord of the Auspicious Conjunction'), his epithet. ( chg, ''Temür'', 'Iron'; 9 April 133617–19 February 1405), later Timūr Gurkānī ( chg, ''Temür Kür ...

'' by Nicholas Rowe were written by

Richard Steele Sir Richard Steele (bap. 12 March 1672 – 1 September 1729) was an Anglo-Irish writer, playwright, and politician, remembered as co-founder, with his friend Joseph Addison, of the magazine ''The Spectator (1711), The Spectator''. Early life ...

, it is thought for use by the school. * ''

The Siege of Damascus ''The Siege of Damascus'' is a 1720 tragedy by the British writer John Hughes. It was inspired by Simon Ockley's 1708 study '' Conquest of Syria'', and focuses specifically on the Siege of Damascus in 634. Originally staged at the Theatre Royal ...

'' by John Hughes, with John Hoadly and Charles Plumptre * 1748 ''

Henry IV Part I ''Henry IV, Part 1'' (often written as ''1 Henry IV'') is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written no later than 1597. The play dramatises part of the reign of King Henry IV of England, beginning with the battle at ...

'', epilogue written by John Hoadly. * About 1761. ''

Andria Andria (; Barese: ) is a city and ''comune'' in Apulia (southern Italy). It is an agricultural and service center, producing wine, olives and almonds. It is the fourth-largest municipality in the Apulia region (behind Bari, Taranto, and Foggia) ...

'' by

Terence Publius Terentius Afer (; – ), better known in English as Terence (), was a Roman African playwright during the Roman Republic. His comedies were performed for the first time around 166–160 BC. Terentius Lucanus, a Roman senator, brought ...

, prologue by Garrick. * 1764 ''Siege of Damascus'' (revival), prologue by John Hoadly * 1777, ''Henry IV Part I'', epilogue by

George Keate George Keate (1729–1797) was an English poet and writer. He was a versatile author, also known as an artist, who travelled and became a friend of Voltaire. Life He was son of George Keate of Isleworth, Middlesex, who married Rachel Kawolski, ...

. * 1783 ''

King Lear ''King Lear'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It is based on the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between two of his daughters. He becomes destitute and insane a ...

'' * 1802 '' Julius Caesar'', epilogue written. Other plays known to have been given by the performance of ''Andria'' were Shakespeare's ''King John'' and ''Macbeth''.

Staff

James Greenwood was

usher Usher may refer to: Several jobs which originally involved directing people and ensuring people are in the correct place: * Usher (occupation) ** Church usher ** Wedding usher, one of the male attendants to the groom in a wedding ceremony ** Fie ...

(assistant head teacher) under Benjamin Morland, then leaving to set up his own academy.

George Budd George Budd M.D. (23 February 1808 – 14 March 1882) was an English physician, medical writer and academic. Life He was born at North Tawton, Devon, on 23 February 1808, the third son of Samuel Budd, a surgeon there, and with six brothers ent ...

taught art there. William Coleridge, elder brother of

Samuel Taylor Coleridge Samuel Taylor Coleridge (; 21 October 177225 July 1834) was an English poet, literary critic, philosopher, and theologian who, with his friend William Wordsworth, was a founder of the Romantic Movement in England and a member of the Lak ...

, taught at the school in the 1780s.

Head Masters

* Benjamin Morland, F.R.S., who became High Master of

St Paul's School, London St Paul's School is a Selective school, selective Independent school (United Kingdom), independent Day school, day and boarding school for boys aged 13–18, founded in 1509 by John Colet and located on a 43-acre site by River Thames, the Thames i ...

in 1721. * Henry Newcome, LL.D. (baptised 1689, died 1756). He was educated at St Paul's School and

Emmanuel College, Cambridge Emmanuel College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay, Chancellor of the Exchequer to Elizabeth I. The site on which the college sits was once a priory for Dominican m ...

. Newcome's doctoral degree is not placed by Venn, but he certainly used it and was known as "Dr. Newcome". He married Morland's daughter Lydia in 1714, and took over the school. His second wife was Anne Yalden. * 1756

Peter Newcome Peter Newcome (1715–1779) was an English educator and Fellow of the Royal Society. Life He was the son of Henry Newcome LL.D. of Hackney (died 1756) and Lydia Morland. His father established Newcome's School there, a noted private academy. Rich ...

, son of Henry Newcome. * Henry Newcome, half-brother of Peter. * Richard Newcome, son of Henry, to 1803. * Charles Thomas Heathcote, head from 1805. He had been a Fellow of

and assistant master of

Charterhouse School (God having given, I gave) , established = , closed = , type = Public school Independent day and boarding school , religion = Church of England , president ...

; he was vicar of

Rodmersham Rodmersham is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Swale in the north of the English county of Kent. It is just under south of Bapchild on the A2 road and south-east of the town of Sittingbourne. Rodmersham Green, which forms the b ...

and then

Little Wigborough Little Wigborough is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Great and Little Wigborough, in the Colchester borough of Essex, England and forms part of Winstred Hundred Parish Council. Little Wigborough is located between Peldo ...

. In his time it was known as Hackney School.

Pupils

* George Augustus Addison *

Charles Bosanquet Charles Bosanquet (23 July 1769 – 20 June 1850) was an English colonial official and writer. Life He was born at Forest House, Essex, the second son of Samuel Bosanquet and Eleanor Hunter. He was educated at Newcome's School and then in Switz ...

* Charles John Brandling *

Montagu Burgoyne Montagu Burgoyne (19 July 1750 – 6 March 1836) was a British politician and writer. Life Burgoyne was a younger son of Sir Roger Burgoyne, 6th Baronet (1710–1780) of Burgoyne of Sutton, Bedfordshire. He was a member of Trinity Hall, Camb ...

Stratford Canning Stratford Canning, 1st Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe, (4 November 1786 – 14 August 1880) was a British diplomat who became best known as the longtime British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. A cousin of George Canning, he served as Envoy E ...

. *

Henry Cavendish Henry Cavendish ( ; 10 October 1731 – 24 February 1810) was an English natural philosopher and scientist who was an important experimental and theoretical chemist and physicist. He is noted for his discovery of hydrogen, which he termed "infl ...

Lord John Cavendish Lord John Cavendish (22 October 1732 – 18 December 1796) was a British nobleman and politician. Background Cavendish was the youngest son of William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire, and his wife Catherine, daughter of John Hoskins. Prime ...

* Richard Muilman Trench Chiswell * William Clubbe *

Sir William Congreve, 2nd Baronet Sir William Congreve, 2nd Baronet KCH FRS (20 May 1772 – 16 May 1828) was an English soldier, publisher and inventor. He pioneered rocket artillery and was renowned for his development and deployment of Congreve rockets. He was also a Tory ...

Thomas Creevey Thomas Creevey (March 17685 February 1838) was an English politician. He is best known for his insight into social conditions as revealed by his writings, which were published in 1903. Life Creevey was the son of William Creevey, a Liverpool me ...

* William Dade * Charles Feake * Sir George Ralph Fetherston, 3rd Baronet of Ardagh * Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton and Lord Charles FitzRoy *

Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 4th Baronet Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 4th Baronet (6 October 1773 – 26 March 1851) of Normanton Park, Rutland, was a British Member of Parliament. Heathcote was the son of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 3rd Baronet, by his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of Robert ...

Frederick Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol Frederick Augustus Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol, (1 August 1730 – 8 July 1803), was an 18th-century Anglican prelate. Elected Bishop of Cloyne in 1767 and translated to the see of Derry in 1768, Hervey served as Lord Bishop of Derry unti ...

Benjamin Hoadly Benjamin Hoadly (14 November 1676 – 17 April 1761) was an English clergyman, who was successively Bishop of Bangor, of Hereford, of Salisbury, and finally of Winchester. He is best known as the initiator of the Bangorian Controversy. ...

* John Hoadly *

Sir Claudius Hunter, 1st Baronet Sir Claudius Stephen Hunter, 1st Baronet (24 February 1775 – 20 April 1851), lawyer and Lord Mayor of London. Biography Hunter, who was born at Beech Hill, near Reading, 24 February 1775, was the youngest son of Henry Hunter (1739–1789) o ...

* James Jurin the younger * James Winter Lake *

Aylmer Bourke Lambert Aylmer Bourke Lambert (2 February 1761 – 10 January 1842) was a British botanist, one of the first fellows of the Linnean Society. Early life Aylmer Bourke Lambert was born at Bath, England on 2 February 1761, the son of Edmund Lambert ...

; the curriculum in his time has been described as "undemanding". * Crisp Molineux *

Ralph Leycester Ralph (pronounced ; or ,) is a male given name of English, Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Old English ''Rædwulf'' and Radulf, cognate with the Old Norse ''Raðulfr'' (''rað'' "counsel" and ''ulfr'' "wolf"). The most common forms ...

John Luther This is a list of fictional characters in the British psychological crime drama television series ''Luther'', its international remakes and film continuation. Overview Main characters John Luther Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, p ...

Henry Handley Norris Henry Handley Norris (1771–1850) was an English clergyman and theologian. He was the clerical leader of the High Church grouping later known as the Hackney Phalanx, that grew up around him and his friend Joshua Watson. Life The son of Henry Ha ...

* John Ord *

Sir Hugh Owen, 5th Baronet Sir Hugh Owen, 5th Baronet (?1731–86), of Orielton, Pembrokeshire, Wales was a Welsh politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1770 to 1786. Owen was the eldest son of Sir William Owen, 4th Baronet and educated at Newcome's School ...

John Pardoe John Wentworth Pardoe (born 27 July 1934) is a retired British businessman and Liberal Party politician. He was Chairman of Sight and Sound Education Ltd from 1979 to 1989. Early life and education Pardoe was the son of Cuthbert B. Pardoe and ...

* Peter Payne *

Richard Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn Richard Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn (1737 – 21 January 1808), was a Welsh politician and nobleman who served as an MP in the British Parliament, representing Petersfield and Liverpool for 29 years between 1761 and 1790. He was the owner of Pe ...

* Louis Hayes Petit. * James Plumptre * Robert Plumptre *

John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick John Rushout, 2nd Baron Northwick (16 February 1770 – 20 January 1859) was an English peer, landowner and collector of art works. Rushout was the son of John Rushout, 1st Baron Northwick and his wife Rebecca Bowles. He was born at St James', Wes ...

Sir Lumley Skeffington, 2nd Baronet Sir Lumley St George Skeffington, 2nd Baronet (23 March 1771 – 10 November 1850) was a British nobleman, fop and playwright. He attended Newcome's School in Hackney, where he acquired a taste for drama; in May 1802 he presented a five-act ...

Hans Sloane Sir Hans Sloane, 1st Baronet (16 April 1660 – 11 January 1753), was an Irish physician, naturalist, and collector, with a collection of 71,000 items which he bequeathed to the British nation, thus providing the foundation of the British Mu ...

Oliver St John Sir Oliver St John (; c. 1598 – 31 December 1673) was an English judge and politician who sat in the House of Commons of England, House of Commons from 1640-53. He supported the Roundheads, Parliamentary cause in the English Civil War. Earl ...

* Matthew St Quintin * Sir William St Quintin, 4th Baronet * Henry Taylor *

Benjamin Vaughan Dr Benjamin Vaughan MD FRSE LLD (19 April 1751 – 8 December 1835) was a British political radical. He was a commissioner in the negotiations between Britain and the United States at the drafting of the Treaty of Paris. Life Vaughan was born ...

* William Vaughan *

Charles Western, 1st Baron Western Charles Callis Western, 1st Baron Western (9 August 1767 – 4 November 1844), was a British landowner and Whig politician. He sat in the House of Commons for over forty years before his elevation to the peerage in 1833. Background and educati ...

Edward Charles Whinyates General Sir Edward Charles Whinyates, (6 May 1782 – 25 December 1865) was a senior British Army artillery officer. Biography Whinyates was the son of Major Thomas Whinyates of Abbotsleigh, Devon, and his wife Katharine Frankland, and was edu ...

* The brothers

Charles Yorke Charles Yorke PC (30 December 172220 January 1770) was briefly Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. His father was also Lord Chancellor, and he began his career as a Member of Parliament. He served successively as Solicitor-General and Att ...

Joseph Yorke, 1st Baron Dover General Joseph Yorke, 1st Baron Dover KB, PC (24 June 1724 – 2 December 1792), styled The Honourable Joseph Yorke until 1761 and The Honourable Sir Joseph Yorke between 1761 and 1788, was a British soldier, diplomat and Whig politician. ...

Philip Yorke, 2nd Earl of Hardwicke Philip Yorke, 2nd Earl of Hardwicke, PC, FRS (9 March 1720 – 16 May 1790), styled Viscount Royston between 1754 and 1764, was an English politician and writer. Life The eldest son of Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke, he was educated at ...

, James Yorke, and John Yorke. Their father

Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke, (1 December 16906 March 1764) was an English lawyer and politician who served as Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. He was a close confidant of the Duke of Newcastle, Prime Minister between 1754 and 1 ...

had been a pupil of

Samuel Morland Sir Samuel Morland, 1st Baronet (1625 – 30 December 1695), or Moreland, was an English academic, diplomat, spy, inventor and mathematician of the 17th century, a polymath credited with early developments in relation to computing, hydraulics an ...

, a dissenting tutor, in

Bethnal Green Bethnal Green is an area in the East End of London northeast of Charing Cross. The area emerged from the small settlement which developed around the Green, much of which survives today as Bethnal Green Gardens, beside Cambridge Heath Road. By t ...

. Samuel Morland, Benjamin Morland who founded the school and Joseph Morland the physician were brothers. * Philip Yorke the antiquarian

American pupils

Ralph Izard Ralph Izard (January 23, 1741/1742May 30, 1804) was a U.S. politician. He served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1794, and owned slaves. Early life Izard was born at "The Elms" near Charleston, South Carolina. He was ...

Arthur Middleton Arthur Middleton (June 26, 1742 – January 1, 1787) was a Founding Father of the United States as a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, representing South Carolina in the Second Continental Congress. Life Middleton was bo ...

* Thomas Nelson, Jr. *

Jonathan Sewell Jonathan Sewell (born Jonathan Sewall; June 6, 1766 – November 11, 1839) was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Lower Canada. Early life He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the son of Jonathan Sewall, the last British attorney ...

References

{{Coord, 51, 33, 13, N, 00, 03, 04, W, type:edu_region:GB, display=title Defunct schools in the London Borough of Hackney Buildings and structures demolished in 1820 1815 disestablishments Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Hackney 18th century in England Demolished buildings and structures in London