Reverend Francis Hodgson 1781-1852

Before 16th November 1781 [his father] Reverend James Hodgson [aged 32] and [his mother] Jane Coke [aged 27] were married.

On 16th November 1781 Reverend Francis Hodgson was born to Reverend James Hodgson [aged 32] and Jane Coke [aged 27]. He was educated at Whitgift School, before proceeding to Eton College [Map] as a King's Scholar, and then as a Scholar to King's College, Cambridge University [Map].

In 1790 [his mother] Jane Coke [aged 36] died.

In 1806 Reverend Francis Hodgson [aged 24] was appointed Assistant Master at Eton College [Map] which position he resigned after a year to become a resident tutor and Fellow at King's College, Cambridge University [Map]. It was there that he met and formed a lifelong friendship with the poet Lord Byron [aged 17], who was at that time an undergraduate at Trinity College [Map]. Their friendship is recorded in the many letters between them that have been published in biographies of Byron.

In 1810 [his father] Reverend James Hodgson [aged 61] died.

In 1813 Reverend Francis Hodgson [aged 31] wished to marry [his future wife] Susanna Matilda Tayler [aged 21] (sister-in-law of Henry Drury, master at Harrow School). However Susanna's mother objected to her daughter marrying Hodgson, due to his association with the infamous Byron. Her objection was overcome by Byron himself, who drove with Hodgson in a post-chaise from London to Oxford to plead the cause of his friend with Susanna's uncle Charles Henry Hall, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford.

In 1815 Reverend Francis Hodgson [aged 33] and Susanna Matilda Tayler [aged 23] were married.

In 1816 Reverend Francis Hodgson [aged 34] was appointed Vicar of All Saint's Church, Bakewell, Derbyshire [Map] which office he held until 1840.

On 6th October 1833 [his wife] Susanna Matilda Tayler [aged 42] died at Lower Moor, Eardisley.

In 1838 Reverend Francis Hodgson [aged 56] and Eliza Denman were married.

In March 1840 Reverend Francis Hodgson [aged 58] returned to Eton, having been nominated to be Provost by the Queen on the advice of Prime Minister Lord Melbourne. The Fellows of Eton, however, rejected his nomination on the basis that Hodgson was not a Doctor of Divinity, a qualification that had always previously been required for the post. They instead elected John Lonsdale, but when Lonsdale became aware of the situation, he stood down in favour of Hodgson.

After 1852. Church of St Mary Magdalene, Eardisley [Map]. Memorial to Reverend Francis Hodgson [aged 70].

Before 29th December 1852 Reverend Francis Hodgson [aged 71] was appointed Archdeacon of Derby.

On 29th December 1852 Reverend Francis Hodgson [aged 71] died at the Provost's Lodge, Eton College. He was buried at Eton College Chapel [Map].