Robert Carey Sumner (1729–1771) was Master of

Harrow School Harrow School () is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school (English Independent school (United Kingdom), independent boarding school for boys) in Harrow on the Hill, Greater London, England. The school was founded in 1572 by John Lyon (sc ...

in England.

Life

Born on 9 March 1728–9 at

Windsor Windsor may refer to: Places Australia * Windsor, New South Wales ** Municipality of Windsor, a former local government area * Windsor, Queensland, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland **Shire of Windsor, a former local government authority around Wi ...

, he was grandson of a

Bristol Bristol () is a City status in the United Kingdom, city, Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, Bristol, River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Glouces ...

merchant and nephew of John Sumner the headmaster of

Eton College Eton College () is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI of England, Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. i ...

. He was educated at

and at

King's College, Cambridge King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Formally The King's College of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge, the college lies beside the River Cam and faces out onto King's Parade in the centre of the cit ...

, where he was admitted a scholar on 18 December 1747 and a Fellow on 28 December 1750, graduating B.A. in 1752, and proceeding M.A. in 1755. Sumner became assistant master at Eton in 1751, and then Master at Harrow School. His marriage meant he vacated his fellowship. In 1768 he obtained the degree of D.D., and, dying on 12 September 1771, he was buried in Harrow church. He was the friend of

Samuel Johnson Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 – 13 December 1784), often called Dr Johnson, was an English writer who made lasting contributions as a poet, playwright, essayist, moralist, critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer. The ''Oxford ...

and the master of Samuel Parr and

Sir William Jones Sir William Jones (28 September 1746 – 27 April 1794) was a British philologist, a puisne judge on the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William in Bengal, and a scholar of ancient India. He is particularly known for his proposition of th ...

, both of whom in later years remembered him favourably. William Whately called him "the best schoolmaster in England".

Works

Sumner published ''Concio ad Clerum'' (London, 1768), which Samuel Parr praised for its Latinity.

Family

On 3 August 1760 Sumner married the sister of William Arden, a scholar of King's College.

Notes

External links

;Attribution {{DEFAULTSORT:Sumner, Robert Carey 1729 births 1771 deaths People educated at Eton College Teachers at Eton College Fellows of King's College, Cambridge People from Windsor, Berkshire Head Masters of Harrow School