Thomas Rowley

Dr Thomas Rowley (24 August 1796 – 11 November 1877) was a successful headmaster of Bridgnorth Grammar School between 1821 and 1850. He was a member of the Canterbury Association, was Dean-designate for the yet to be built ChristChurch Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand, but he never emigrated. Early life Thomas Rowley was born in Middleton Scriven in Shropshire in 1796. His parents were the Rev. Richard Rowley (d. 1812) and Mary Rowley. He was educated at Shrewsbury and at Christ Church, Oxford, from where he obtained a BA (1819), BD and DD (1839). Bridgnorth Grammar School In 1821, when Rowley was twenty-four years old, he was appointed Headmaster of Bridgnorth Grammar School in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, on the recommendation of the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. Under Dr Rowley's leadership Bridgnorth Grammar School's reputation increased. Dr Rowley's success as a teacher of the Classics soon attracted boarders (housed in the Headmaster's House in St Leonard's Close) from far and near. His pupils included not only Bridgnorth boys, but also those from further afield. The numbers rose to about 150. In 1841 Dr Rowley was attacked by some members of the Town Council who complained of the treatment of the day-boys by the boarders and of the Bridgnorth Grammar School's concentration on the Classics; but the Bridgnorth Borough Treasurer wrote in Rowley's defence that the day-boys can hardly not have benefited from the specialist teachers whom Rowley was able to engage.