W. H. BENSON BROWN.
Among more recent natives of Horncastle, who have distinguished themselves, is the son of the late Mr. Robert Brown, of the Market Place. He graduated at University College, Durham, as Licentiate in Theology, 1887, and was ordained deacon in 1890, priest in 1891, holding the curacy of North Ormsby, near Middlesborough; and was appointed Rector of Bucknall, near Horncastle, in 1898, by the patron his father-in-law, the late Mr. James Dunham, Merchant, of Horncastle. He was appointed Inspector of Schools, 1899. Mr. Benson Brown is an energetic worker, has restored his church, adding a carved reredos of oak, a handsome lectern, and filling the east window with good stained glass. He has also introduced various reforms and improvements in the parish.
WILLIAM HENEAGE SHARP.
Another native of Horncastle, who has already done credit to the town is the son of Mr. Henry Sharp, Saddler, in the Bull Ring; of a very old firm, established in 1760, and doing an European business. William Heneage Sharp was educated at the local Grammar School, 1885–9, where he gained the first scholarship granted by the Governors, under the reformed system. He then went to the college at Framlingham, Suffolk, 1889–90, a county institution founded as a memorial of the late Prince Consort, and there gained several prizes. He then became a Junior Master in a private school at Devizes; and during his stay there took the 2nd and 4th prizes at the College of Preceptors. He next accepted a Mastership at John Ellis’s endowed school in South London (Gospel Oak). After which he studied at King’s College, London, 1899–1901, where he gained the Jelf prize for Dogmatic Theology, the Senior Wordsworth prize for Latin, and the Barry Divinity Prize. He was also appointed Precentor, and afterwards Dean, of the college, being senior student of his year, and taking a first-class in the final examination. He was ordained by the Bishop of London, in St. Paul’s Cathedral, in 1901, being appointed “Gospellor” on the occasion. He was Curate of Staines, Middlesex, 1901–3, removing afterwards to St. John the Evangelist, Holborn, 1903–8; and was then appointed Theological Tutor and Sub-Warden at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, in the Diocese of Ripon.