Robert Phelps (1808 – 11 January 1890) served as Master of

Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge Sidney Sussex College (historically known as "Sussex College" and today referred to informally as "Sidney") is a Colleges of the University of Cambridge, constituent college of the University of Cambridge in England. The College was founded in 1 ...

from 1843 until his death. Phelps was born in 1808 in

Devonport, Plymouth Devonport ( ), formerly named Plymouth Dock or just Dock, is a district of Plymouth in the English county of Devon, although it was, at one time, the more important settlement. It became a county borough in 1889. Devonport was originally one o ...

, the son of Robert Millar Phelps and the younger brother of the actor

Samuel Phelps Samuel Phelps (13 February 1804 – 6 November 1878) was an English actor-manager. He is known for reviving the fortunes of the neglected Sadler's Wells Theatre and for his productions of Shakespeare's plays which were presented with attenti ...

. Schooled privately, Phelps was admitted to

Trinity College, Cambridge Trinity College is a Colleges of the University of Cambridge, 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 ...

on 23 June 1828, gained a scholarship, and graduated

B.A. A Bachelor of Arts (abbreviated B.A., BA, A.B. or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is the holder of a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the liberal arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree ...

as 5th wrangler 1833, M.A. 1836, B.D. 1843 (at

), and honorary D.D. 1843 on the occasion of a visit by

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in January 1901. Her reign of 63 year ...

. Appointed to a fellowship at Sidney Sussex in 1838, Phelps was ordained deacon and priest in 1840. He was elected Master of Sidney Sussex in 1843. From 1848 he was also Rector of

Willingham, Cambridgeshire Willingham is a village in Cambridgeshire, England. It is located in the South Cambridgeshire district and sits just outside the border of the Fens, just south of the River Great Ouse. Located approximately 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Cam ...

. He was twice vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, in 1844–45 and 1847–48. In 1847–48 he served as president of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society. ''

Alumni Cantabrigienses ''Alumni Cantabrigienses: A Biographical List of All Known Students, Graduates and Holders of Office at the University of Cambridge, from the Earliest Times to 1900'' is a biographical register of former members of the University of Cambridge whic ...

'' states that Phelps was "notorious for his conservatism and belief in the old university customs and regulations". As Master of Sidney Sussex, Phelps refused to provide data for the Royal Commission on university property and finances in 1874, preventing the fellows from providing data by appointing himself bursar and removing the accounts to his lodge, writing "insolent replies to the commission's requests for information".

References

1808 births 1890 deaths People from Devonport, Plymouth Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge Masters of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge Vice-chancellors of the University of Cambridge {{England-academic-bio-stub