William Johnson Cory
William Johnson Cory, born on January 9, 1823, in Torrington, Devonshire, England, was an accomplished scholar and poet known for his classical influences and teaching career at Eton College. Cory was recognized early for his academic talents, becoming a king's scholar at Eton and later earning multiple scholarships at King's College, Cambridge. His literary contributions include the poetry collections "Ionica," published in 1858, and its subsequent editions, showcasing translations and original works that reflect themes of life's fleeting joys and philosophical musings on existence. Among his notable poems are "Heraclitus," a translation paying homage to a Greek philosopher, and "Mimnermus in Church," which contrasts life and death. Cory's expertise extended beyond poetry; he authored Latin and Greek texts that were utilized in educational settings. His tenure at Eton ended abruptly in 1872 due to a controversy, after which he adopted the surname Cory and married Rosa Caroline Guille. Cory passed away on June 11, 1892, leaving behind a legacy as a dedicated educator and a respected classicist.
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William Johnson Cory
Teacher
- Born: January 9, 1823
- Birthplace: Torrington, Devonshire, England
- Died: June 11, 1892
- Place of death: London, England
Biography
William Johnson Cory (who adopted his last name only after retirement) was born on January 9, 1823, to Charles and Theresa Furse Johnson in Torrington, Devonshire, England. He was the younger of two sons; his older brother, Charles Wellington (Johnson) Furse, became archdeacon of Westminster in 1894. Cory showed early prowess as a scholar and in 1832 was elected king’s scholar to Eton. In 1841, he culminated his career at Eton by winning the Newcastle scholarship. He was granted a scholarship to King’s College, Cambridge University, on February 23, 1842. In 1843, Cory won the chancellor’s medal for his English poem on Plato and the Camden medal for his Latin poem on Archimedes. He won the Craven scholarship in 1844, and in 1845 completed his B.A. and was granted a fellowship at King’s College. In September, 1845, Cory was appointed an assistant master at Eton.
Cory produced several volumes of verse in English, a number of the poems being translations from Greek or Latin. His first volume, Ionica, was published anonymously in 1858. Ionica II, also published anonymously and this time privately printed, appeared in 1877 and contained twenty-five new poems. A revised and enlarged edition of Ionica appeared in 1891, this work containing all but five of the previously collected poems and twenty new ones. Cory’s best-known English verses are “Heraclitus” and “Mimnermus in Church.” “Heraclitus,” a translation of a poem by Callimachus, is an eight-line epitaph on a sixth century b.c. Greek philosopher who founded an Ionian school before the time of Socrates. “Mimnermus in Church” is a meditation on life after death in contrast with present human life. In these poems and others, Cory repeatedly emphasizes the value of enjoying life in all its fleeting joys. Some have classified him as a neo- pagan, but he is better described as a classicist who championed youth.
Cory produced a number of other works, including Latin and Greek verse. In 1870, he published Lucretilis, a volume of Latin exercises on writing in verse. This work complemented Nuces, his manual on writing Latin prose, privately printed in 1869. Additionally, Iophon, a volume of original Greek Iambics, was published in 1873. These works demonstrated Cory’s considerable ability as a classicist and teacher. His Latin exercises were used at Eton and other schools long after his tenure in teaching. Cory’s verses in Latin and Greek were probably better than his poems in English.
Cory was much admired as an ardent and demanding teacher at Eton. When one of his letters to a student was questioned for being indiscreet, he promptly resigned in 1872 and left Eton overnight. He also resigned his fellowship at King’s College and changed his last name to Cory. In 1878, Cory met and married Rosa Caroline Guille. They had one son named Andrew. In 1880 and 1882, he completed both volumes of A Guide to Modern English History from 1815 to 1835. He died at his home in Hampstead, North London, on June 11, 1892.