Whalley, Thomas Sedgwick

(1746-1828)

   Born at Cambridge, the son of John Whalley, doctor of divinity, master and regius professor of divinity of St. Peter's College, Cambridge, he graduated B.A. in 1767 and M.A. in 1774 from St. John's College, Cambridge. About 1770 he was ordained in the Anglican church. Edinburgh University created him doctor of divinity in 1808. He also held an appointment at Wells Cathedral, Somerset, though when he carried out his church duties is unclear. He lived for a time in the Crescent at Bath (one of the most sought-after localities in the city), where he entertained lavishly. He spent much of his time abroad, died at La Flèche in France, and was buried in the consecrated ground of the Roman Catholic Church. Anna Seward (see entry) addressed a poem to Sedgwick: Alpine Scenery, A Poem, Addressed to the Rev. Thomas Sedgwick Whalley, During His Residence on the Continent, In 1785. His poetry publications: Edwy and Edilda, 1794. Poems and Translations, ?1797. The Fatal Kiss, 1781. Kenneth and Fenella, 1809. Mont Blanc, 1788. Verses to Mrs. Siddons, 1782.

   Sources: Dictionary of National Biography. Electronic Edition 1.1. Oxford University Press, 1997. English Poetry: Author Search. Chadwyck-Healey Ltd., 1995 (http://www.lib.utexas.edu:8080/search/epoetry/author.html). The National Portrait Gallery (www.npg.org.uk). Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources (http://library.stanford.edu).