Porson

Porson, Richard (1759-1808), an eminent Greek scholar, was born at East Euston, in Norfolk, of which parish his father was clerk. The vicar took an interest in his education, and sent him to Eton, whence, through the kindness of another benefactor, he proceeded to Cambridge in 1777. He soon graduated and obtained a fellowship, which lapsed after seven years in consequence of his declining to take holy orders. In 1793 he was made professor of Greek at Cambridge, his salary being £40 a year. In 1794 he published an edition of YEschylus, and in 1797 edited the Hecuba of Euripides, which were followed by other admirable works. He had no equal as a Greek scholar, and his notes are marvellously erudite and acute; though he himself is said to have been prouder of his calligraphy than of his scholarship. His memory also was prodigious. In 1805 he was appointed librarian to the London Institution at a salary of £200. He neglected his duties and drank heavily, and died suddenly in 1808. He was buried with pomp at Trinity College, Cambridge, his miscellaneous works being collected and published after his death.