English scholar and schoolmaster, known for his work in the teaching of the Latin language. Benjamin was educated at Shrewsbury School, and St John's College, Cambridge. After a brilliant university career, he was elected fellow and lecturer in classics at St John's College in 1828. Two years later, he became an assistant master at Harrow. In 1836, he returned to Shrewsbury as headmaster. He retained this post until 1866, the thirty years being marked by a long series of successes for his pupils, chiefly in classics. When he retired from Shrewsbury, a large collection was made, and was used partly on new school buildings and partly on the founding of a Latin professorship at Cambridge. The first holders were both old pupils of Kennedy, H. A. J. Munro and J. E. B. Mayor. In 1841 he became prebendary of Lichfield. He was elected Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge and canon of Ely Cathedral. From 1870 to 1880 he was a member of the committee for the revision of the New Testament. In 1870 he also became a member of the University Council. He supported the access of women to a university education, and took a prominent part in the establishment of Newnham and Girton colleges.
English scholar and schoolmaster, known for his work in the teaching of the Latin language. Benjamin was educated at Shrewsbury School, and St John's College, Cambridge. After a brilliant university career, he was elected fellow and lecturer in classics at St John's College in 1828. Two years later, he became an assistant master at Harrow. In 1836, he returned to Shrewsbury as headmaster. He retained this post until 1866, the thirty years being marked by a long series of successes for his pupils, chiefly in classics. When he retired from Shrewsbury, a large collection was made, and was used partly on new school buildings and partly on the founding of a Latin professorship at Cambridge. The first holders were both old pupils of Kennedy, H. A. J. Munro and J. E. B. Mayor. In 1841 he became prebendary of Lichfield. He was elected Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge and canon of Ely Cathedral. From 1870 to 1880 he was a member of the committee for the revision of the New Testament. In 1870 he also became a member of the University Council. He supported the access of women to a university education, and took a prominent part in the establishment of Newnham and Girton colleges.
Inscription
Inscription [south face:] 'Benjamin Hall Kennedy DD Regius Professor of Greek Fellow of St. John's College Cambridge Canon of Ely and from 1836 to 1866 Headmaster of Shrewsbury School born 6th November 1807 died 6th April 1889'
"Dust to the dust but the pure spirit shall flow back to the burning fountain whence it came" [from Percy Bysshe Shelley, Adonais: an Elegy on the Death of John Keats (1821)]
Family Members
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