INTRODUCTION

Summary

Notwithstanding the somewhat narrow views, the inveterate prejudices, and the peculiar and occasionally uncouth language of Anthony a Wood, it cannot, we think, be denied that his Athenæ Oxonienses was felicitously designed, and executed with no mean ability. As this book reflected great lustre on the university of Oxford, it was naturally expected that a work of a similar character, devoted especially to the university of Cambridge, would follow in due course; indeed, the author of the Introduction to the second volume threw down a generous challenge “to some good Antiquary of the other University.”

Henry Sampson, ejected from a fellowship at Pembroke hall for nonconformity 1662 and who subsequently for many years practised physic with reputation and success, appears to have made some collections for a history of the eminent men of this university.

Mr. Strype, in a letter to Ralph Thoresby, dated 4th August, 1709, remarks :–

I perceive you have had the use of some of the manuscripts of Dr. Sampson. While he was alive he would have put me upon a task to write the history of the eminent men, and especially writers, of the University of Cambridge, and told me he had made great collections that would be serviceable that way. There is one of Cambridge now, an able man, that had been making collections divers years for that purpose. I wish he had the perusal of those papers. He is now in London, and, if I knew in whose hands Dr. Sampson's manuscripts were, I would endeavour to procure those collections for him to use.