Philip Williams – the colourful life of the Speaker’s Chaplain and Compton’s rector for all but 50 years

From a family with Welsh origins, Philip Williams (1742-1830) became firmly rooted in the English establishment during the second half of the 18th century.

He became a Fellow of Winchester College, had multiple church livings, including a prebend of the Cathedral and rectorship of Compton between 1781 and 1830.

He married a daughter of the second master of the College, who directed much of his life (including, at times, the Parish of Compton).

He became embroiled in the complicated marriages of his sisters-in-law, one to a profligate aristocrat, the 3rd Viscount Bolingbroke, and the other to a senior officer in the House of Commons. 

Philip himself also experienced Westminster, serving for several years as the Speaker’s Chaplain.

Like many of his kind, he yearned to be recognised as a Classical scholar, but sadly, his 1008-page proof of the works of the Roman historian Polybius was rejected by OUP – he even had to pay back the advance. 

His colourful life is presented by Barry Shurlock, author of The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter, based on a cache of letters held by the College.