David Durell 1728-1775

David DURELL 1728-1775

Biographical Note

The son of Thomas Le Vavasseur dit Durell, he was born in St Helier, Jersey. He was educated at Cowbridge Grammar School in the Vale of Glamorgan and Pembroke College, Oxford (1747; BA 1750; MA 1753). He became a fellow and in 1757 principal of Hertford College, Oxford, and rector of Bishopstone (Glamorgan). He became BD (1760) and DD (1764). He was appointed a canon of Canterbury Cathedral in 1767 and vicar of Ticehurst in Sussex. He served as vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1765 to 1768.

He was a Hebrew scholar and published several works on the Old Testament, of which he gave copies to the library of Canterbury Cathedral.

One of the bookplates of David Durell (British Museum Franks Collection 9385) from William and Mary Law School, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Books

Used an engraved bookplate: Franks 9384: 'Durell, Dav., Md. Ch. Alum.' and 9385: 'Durell, Dav., a.m., Coll. Pemb. (The last plate with altered inscription.)'.

The extent and disposition of his library is not known. A book with his bookplate Franks 9385 is recorded in the library of the William and Mary Law School, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Sources

• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903.
• Pocock, Nicholas, and Richard Sharp. "Durell, David (1728–1775), biblical scholar." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Clergy of the Church of England Database, CCEd Person ID: 129320.
• Canterbury Cathedral Library provenances
• Biography of Rev Dr David Durell
• Clive Jenkins, David Durell: Brief biography.