Peckard, Peter (1717-1797), Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge

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Peckard, Peter (1717-1797), Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge

• The Revd Dr Peter Peckard, DD

c. 1717 - 8 December 1797

Master of Magdalene College, 1781-1797

Educated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford in the late 1730s where he was a young tearaway, repeatedly in trouble for being drunk, even during divine service, which he often skipped. A major transformation in his character must later have taken place, perhaps due to his service as an Army Chaplain.
He lost his left arm 'when very young' the result of 'the unexpected going off of his companion's gun'. He was skilful in concealing the injury.

Married Martha Ferrar in 1755.
Vice-Chancellor, 1784-1785.
Dean of Peterborough, 1792-1797.
The first Anglican sermons against the slave trade were preached by Peckard in the College Chapel, leading to courageous and galvanic sermons in Great St Mary’s in 1783 and 1784, and to the prize essay which inspired Thomas Clarkson's campaign. Peckard was also a notable benefactor to the College.

Memorial brass in the Old Library.

College Mgazine:
Article: 'Peter Peckard', College Magazine, No. 1, 1956-57, pp.15-23
Article: 'The Peckard Bicentenary', College Magazine, vol. 42, 1997-98, pp. 29-31

Peckard [née Ferrar], Martha (1729-1805), poet, wife of Peter Peckard (1729 - 14 January 1805)