Samuel Butler

Born in 1774, Butler was a scholar and clergyman, arguably most known for his tenure as the schoolmaster of Shrewsbury School. As a student he was awarded three medals for his classical translation works, and was awarded the Craven scholarship. He continued to gain medals and awards throughout his studies, finishing his degrees by 1811. In 1797 he was elected a fellow of St John’s and ordained deacon in the Church of England, and in 1798 became headmaster of Shrewsbury School, the same year as his ordination as priest, at the age of 24. During his headmastership its reputation increased greatly, and in the standard of its scholarship was the equal of any other public school in England. He was considered to be “in all essential respects, the originator” of the Praepostor system of placing older boys in authority over younger at the school. However, there were shortcomings in the welfare of pupils. Fights between boys were said to average seventy a week and were regarded by Dr Butler “with a blind eye”, comfort for boarders was minimal, and complaints about food were continuous, on one occasion leading to a riot. His initials “S.B.” over the gateway to the house he built himself next to the school were said to be a sign for “stale bread, sour beer, salt butter, and stinking beef sold by Samuel Butler”. He was also known for trying to discourage games, such as football, for classist reasons. Charles Darwin, most notable of his students, mentioned specifically his distaste for the rote learning encouraged in the school.