Samuel Rickards

Samuel Rickards (1796–1865) was a Church of England clergyman, opponent of the Oxford Movement, and writer of devotional literature. Biography Rickards, son of Thomas Rickards of Leicester, was born in 1796. He matriculated from Oriel College, Oxford, on 28 January 1813, graduating B.A. in 1817 and M.A. in 1820. He was a fellow there from 16 April 1819 to 6 October 1822, being contemporary with John Keble and other leaders of the ritualistic movement. He was Newdigate prizeman, 1815, writing on the "Temple of Theseus", and English essayist, 1819, writing on "Characteristic Differences of Greek and Latin Poetry". His marriage in 1821 obliged him to surrender his fellowship and seek a living. From 1822 to 1832 he was the curate in charge of Ulcombe, Kent. John Henry Newman, while on a visit to him in September 1826, wrote his well-known verses, "Nature and Art", and, during a second visit in October 1827, "Snapdragon, a Riddle". In 1832 Rickards was presented by a college friend, Henry Wilson, to the rectory of Stowlangtoft, Suffolk, where he passed the remainder of his life.