Trinity College, aconstituent college of theUniversity of Cambridge, is headed by amaster who oversees the general operation of the college. The role is officially appointed by themonarch at the recommendation of the college, and involves presiding over meetings of the college council and its governing body, although the executive powers of the master are limited.[1] In addition, the master supports relations with students andalumni of the college, and serves as an ambassador for its global development activities.[2]
In 1546, Trinity College was founded byHenry VIII, merging the colleges ofMichaelhouse andKing's Hall.[3]John Redman, then Warden of King's Hall, was thus appointed first Master of Trinity College. There have been 40 appointments to the position;William Bill was appointed master twice, in 1551 and 1558.[4] The longest serving master wasRichard Bentley, from 1700 until his death in 1741. He held the post despite widespread unpopularity amongst the fellows, a feud which lasted for about 30 years. During this, Bentley survived numerous criminal charges, and had his university degree rescinded between 1718 and 1724.[5] The current master,Dame Sally Davies, was appointed on 8 February 2019. She assumed the role during a ceremony on 8 October of that year, becoming the 39th Master of Trinity College, and the first woman to hold the position.[6][7]
For much of the past, the master was required to hold a degree from the University of Cambridge, and was usually a member of Trinity College. Historical statutes also stated that the office of the master could only be held up to the age of 70 or 75, at the decision of thefellows.[1] Currently, the master holds office for a fixed term of up to eight years. There is no longer a requirement to have studied at Trinity College, or the University of Cambridge, but recent masters have usually been distinguished academics. The incumbent is always referred to as themaster, regardless of gender, for historical reasons.[2]
The Master of Trinity College resides in the Master's Lodge, located inGreat Court. It was originally built in 1554, and is aGrade I listed building. The entrance hall has 16th-century panelling, and the drawing room has a late 15th-century plaster ceiling. Thefaçade of the building towards Great Court was renovated between 1841 and 1843 byAnthony Salvin. In 1892, the architectArthur Blomfield constructed the west wing of the lodge with additional rooms for private accommodation of the master, which freed some of the historic rooms for public use.[8] The Master's Lodge is customarily the royal residence when visiting the university.[9] It includes astate bedroom that was refurbished for the 1843 visit ofQueen Victoria andPrince Albert.[10]
Several masters of the college contributed to the development of its buildings throughout history.Thomas Nevile, master of the college from 1593, remodelled the majority of the college buildings. He demolished several buildings to clear space for the Great Court, which is now reputedly the largest enclosedcourtyard inEurope.[11] Upon his death, he bequeathed a sum of money that entirely paid for the construction ofNevile's Court.[12] In the late 17th century, Nevile's Court was further developed byChristopher Wren under the instruction of the master of the college,Isaac Barrow, forming theWren Library.[13] In the 1860s,William Whewell paid for the construction ofWhewell's Court, twoneo-Gothic courts located on the opposite side ofTrinity Street.[14]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Richard Bentley".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 751._shield.svg) | | ||
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