# Spencer Cowper (priest)

Spencer Cowper (1713–1774) was Dean of Durham Cathedral from 1746 to 1774, known also for his early contributions to meteorology and his liking for poetry and music.

## Life and work

Cowper was the younger son of William Cowper, the first Earl and the first Lord Chancellor of Great Britain, and his second wife Mary Clavering. He was the cousin of the poet William Cowper.
He was educated at Exeter College, Oxford, matriculating in 1729 aged 16, graduating B.A. 1732, M.A. 1734, B.D. & D.D. 1746.
Along with his religious duties as Dean of Durham, he kept a naturalist's journal which included records of the local meteorology.
Some of Cowper's sermons survive, as does a collection of his letters published in 1956.

## Relatives

vteCowper Family Tree :
| | | | | | | | | | | | | William Cowper (d. 1664) 1st Baronet of Ratling Court in the County of Kent | William Cowper (d. 1664) 1st Baronet of Ratling Court in the County of Kent | William Cowper (d. 1664) 1st Baronet of Ratling Court in the County of Kent | William Cowper (d. 1664) 1st Baronet of Ratling Court in the County of Kent | William Cowper (d. 1664) 1st Baronet of Ratling Court in the County of Kent | William Cowper (d. 1664) 1st Baronet of Ratling Court in the County of Kent | Martha Master | Martha Master | Martha Master | Martha Master | Martha Master | Martha Master |
| | | | | | | Joyce Hukeley (1622–1669) | Joyce Hukeley (1622–1669) | Joyce Hukeley (1622–1669) | Joyce Hukeley (1622–1669) | Joyce Hukeley (1622–1669) | Joyce Hukeley (1622–1669) | John Cowper (1613–1643) | John Cowper (1613–1643) | John Cowper (1613–1643) | John Cowper (1613–1643) | John Cowper (1613–1643) | John Cowper (1613–1643) | Sir Samuel Holled (1619–1661) | Sir Samuel Holled (1619–1661) | Sir Samuel Holled (1619–1661) | Sir Samuel Holled (1619–1661) | Sir Samuel Holled (1619–1661) | Sir Samuel Holled (1619–1661) | Anne Cowper (d. 1664) | Anne Cowper (d. 1664) | Anne Cowper (d. 1664) | Anne Cowper (d. 1664) | Anne Cowper (d. 1664) | Anne Cowper (d. 1664) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | William Cowper (1639–1706) 2nd Baronet of Ratling Court | William Cowper (1639–1706) 2nd Baronet of Ratling Court | William Cowper (1639–1706) 2nd Baronet of Ratling Court | William Cowper (1639–1706) 2nd Baronet of Ratling Court | William Cowper (1639–1706) 2nd Baronet of Ratling Court | William Cowper (1639–1706) 2nd Baronet of Ratling Court | Sarah Cowper (1644–1720) | Sarah Cowper (1644–1720) | Sarah Cowper (1644–1720) | Sarah Cowper (1644–1720) | Sarah Cowper (1644–1720) | Sarah Cowper (1644–1720) |
| | | | | | | Baron Cowper of Wingham in the County of Kent, 1706 Earl Cowper and Viscount Fordwich, in the County of Kent, 1718 | Baron Cowper of Wingham in the County of Kent, 1706 Earl Cowper and Viscount Fordwich, in the County of Kent, 1718 | Baron Cowper of Wingham in the County of Kent, 1706 Earl Cowper and Viscount Fordwich, in the County of Kent, 1718 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Elizabeth Culling (1676–1703) | Elizabeth Culling (1676–1703) | Elizabeth Culling (1676–1703) | Elizabeth Culling (1676–1703) | Elizabeth Culling (1676–1703) | Elizabeth Culling (1676–1703) | William Cowper (1665–1723) 1st Earl Cowper, 1st Viscount Fordwich, 3rd Baronet of Ratling Court | William Cowper (1665–1723) 1st Earl Cowper, 1st Viscount Fordwich, 3rd Baronet of Ratling Court | William Cowper (1665–1723) 1st Earl Cowper, 1st Viscount Fordwich, 3rd Baronet of Ratling Court | William Cowper (1665–1723) 1st Earl Cowper, 1st Viscount Fordwich, 3rd Baronet of Ratling Court | William Cowper (1665–1723) 1st Earl Cowper, 1st Viscount Fordwich, 3rd Baronet of Ratling Court | William Cowper (1665–1723) 1st Earl Cowper, 1st Viscount Fordwich, 3rd Baronet of Ratling Court | 1) Judith Booth (d. 1705) | 1) Judith Booth (d. 1705) | 1) Judith Booth (d. 1705) | 1) Judith Booth (d. 1705) | 1) Judith Booth (d. 1705) | 1) Judith Booth (d. 1705) | 2) Mary Clavering (1685–1724) | 2) Mary Clavering (1685–1724) | 2) Mary Clavering (1685–1724) | 2) Mary Clavering (1685–1724) | 2) Mary Clavering (1685–1724) | 2) Mary Clavering (1685–1724) | Samuel Cowper (1666) | Samuel Cowper (1666) | Samuel Cowper (1666) | Samuel Cowper (1666) | Samuel Cowper (1666) | Samuel Cowper (1666) | John Cowper (1667–1686) | John Cowper (1667–1686) | John Cowper (1667–1686) | John Cowper (1667–1686) | John Cowper (1667–1686) | John Cowper (1667–1686) | Spencer Cowper (1670–1728) | Spencer Cowper (1670–1728) | Spencer Cowper (1670–1728) | Spencer Cowper (1670–1728) | Spencer Cowper (1670–1728) | Spencer Cowper (1670–1728) | Pennington Goodere (1667–1727) | Pennington Goodere (1667–1727) | Pennington Goodere (1667–1727) | Pennington Goodere (1667–1727) | Pennington Goodere (1667–1727) | Pennington Goodere (1667–1727) |
| William Cowper (1697–1719) | William Cowper (1697–1719) | William Cowper (1697–1719) | William Cowper (1697–1719) | William Cowper (1697–1719) | William Cowper (1697–1719) | Mary Cowper (1700–1740) | Mary Cowper (1700–1740) | Mary Cowper (1700–1740) | Mary Cowper (1700–1740) | Mary Cowper (1700–1740) | Mary Cowper (1700–1740) | William Cowper (1687–1692?) | William Cowper (1687–1692?) | William Cowper (1687–1692?) | William Cowper (1687–1692?) | William Cowper (1687–1692?) | William Cowper (1687–1692?) | William Cowper (1689–1740) | William Cowper (1689–1740) | William Cowper (1689–1740) | William Cowper (1689–1740) | William Cowper (1689–1740) | William Cowper (1689–1740) | Spencer Cowper (1690) | Spencer Cowper (1690) | Spencer Cowper (1690) | Spencer Cowper (1690) | Spencer Cowper (1690) | Spencer Cowper (1690) | Spencer Cowper (1691–1706) | Spencer Cowper (1691–1706) | Spencer Cowper (1691–1706) | Spencer Cowper (1691–1706) | Spencer Cowper (1691–1706) | Spencer Cowper (1691–1706) | John Cowper (1694–1756) | John Cowper (1694–1756) | John Cowper (1694–1756) | John Cowper (1694–1756) | John Cowper (1694–1756) | John Cowper (1694–1756) | Ashley Cowper (1701–1768) | Ashley Cowper (1701–1768) | Ashley Cowper (1701–1768) | Ashley Cowper (1701–1768) | Ashley Cowper (1701–1768) | Ashley Cowper (1701–1768) | Judith Madan (1702–1781) | Judith Madan (1702–1781) | Judith Madan (1702–1781) | Judith Madan (1702–1781) | Judith Madan (1702–1781) | Judith Madan (1702–1781) |
| Sarah Cowper (1707–1764) | Sarah Cowper (1707–1764) | Sarah Cowper (1707–1764) | Sarah Cowper (1707–1764) | Sarah Cowper (1707–1764) | Sarah Cowper (1707–1764) | William Clavering-Cowper (1709–1764) 2nd Earl Cowper, 2nd Viscount Fordwich, 4th Baronet of Ratling Court | William Clavering-Cowper (1709–1764) 2nd Earl Cowper, 2nd Viscount Fordwich, 4th Baronet of Ratling Court | William Clavering-Cowper (1709–1764) 2nd Earl Cowper, 2nd Viscount Fordwich, 4th Baronet of Ratling Court | William Clavering-Cowper (1709–1764) 2nd Earl Cowper, 2nd Viscount Fordwich, 4th Baronet of Ratling Court | William Clavering-Cowper (1709–1764) 2nd Earl Cowper, 2nd Viscount Fordwich, 4th Baronet of Ratling Court | William Clavering-Cowper (1709–1764) 2nd Earl Cowper, 2nd Viscount Fordwich, 4th Baronet of Ratling Court | Anne Cowper (1710–1764) | Anne Cowper (1710–1764) | Anne Cowper (1710–1764) | Anne Cowper (1710–1764) | Anne Cowper (1710–1764) | Anne Cowper (1710–1764) | Spencer Cowper (1713–1774) | Spencer Cowper (1713–1774) | Spencer Cowper (1713–1774) | Spencer Cowper (1713–1774) | Spencer Cowper (1713–1774) | Spencer Cowper (1713–1774) | William Cowper (1731–1800) | William Cowper (1731–1800) | William Cowper (1731–1800) | William Cowper (1731–1800) | William Cowper (1731–1800) | William Cowper (1731–1800) |
| | | | | | | George Nassau Clavering-Cowper (1738–1789) 3rd Earl Cowper, 3rd Viscount Fordwich, 5th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Nassau Clavering-Cowper (1738–1789) 3rd Earl Cowper, 3rd Viscount Fordwich, 5th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Nassau Clavering-Cowper (1738–1789) 3rd Earl Cowper, 3rd Viscount Fordwich, 5th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Nassau Clavering-Cowper (1738–1789) 3rd Earl Cowper, 3rd Viscount Fordwich, 5th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Nassau Clavering-Cowper (1738–1789) 3rd Earl Cowper, 3rd Viscount Fordwich, 5th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Nassau Clavering-Cowper (1738–1789) 3rd Earl Cowper, 3rd Viscount Fordwich, 5th Baronet of Ratling Court | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | George Augustus Clavering-Cowper (1776–1799) 4th Earl Cowper, 4th Viscount Fordwich, 6th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Augustus Clavering-Cowper (1776–1799) 4th Earl Cowper, 4th Viscount Fordwich, 6th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Augustus Clavering-Cowper (1776–1799) 4th Earl Cowper, 4th Viscount Fordwich, 6th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Augustus Clavering-Cowper (1776–1799) 4th Earl Cowper, 4th Viscount Fordwich, 6th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Augustus Clavering-Cowper (1776–1799) 4th Earl Cowper, 4th Viscount Fordwich, 6th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Augustus Clavering-Cowper (1776–1799) 4th Earl Cowper, 4th Viscount Fordwich, 6th Baronet of Ratling Court | Peter Leopold Louis Francis Nassau (1778–1837) 5th Earl Cowper, 5th Viscount Fordwich, 7th Baronet of Ratling Court | Peter Leopold Louis Francis Nassau (1778–1837) 5th Earl Cowper, 5th Viscount Fordwich, 7th Baronet of Ratling Court | Peter Leopold Louis Francis Nassau (1778–1837) 5th Earl Cowper, 5th Viscount Fordwich, 7th Baronet of Ratling Court | Peter Leopold Louis Francis Nassau (1778–1837) 5th Earl Cowper, 5th Viscount Fordwich, 7th Baronet of Ratling Court | Peter Leopold Louis Francis Nassau (1778–1837) 5th Earl Cowper, 5th Viscount Fordwich, 7th Baronet of Ratling Court | Peter Leopold Louis Francis Nassau (1778–1837) 5th Earl Cowper, 5th Viscount Fordwich, 7th Baronet of Ratling Court |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | George Augustus Frederick Cowper (1806–1856) 6th Earl Cowper, 6th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Augustus Frederick Cowper (1806–1856) 6th Earl Cowper, 6th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Augustus Frederick Cowper (1806–1856) 6th Earl Cowper, 6th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Augustus Frederick Cowper (1806–1856) 6th Earl Cowper, 6th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Augustus Frederick Cowper (1806–1856) 6th Earl Cowper, 6th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baronet of Ratling Court | George Augustus Frederick Cowper (1806–1856) 6th Earl Cowper, 6th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baronet of Ratling Court | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Francis Thomas de Grey Cowper (1834–1905) 7th Earl Cowper, 7th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baron Lucas, 3rd Baron Butler, 9th Baronet of Ratling Court, 4th Lord Dingwall | Francis Thomas de Grey Cowper (1834–1905) 7th Earl Cowper, 7th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baron Lucas, 3rd Baron Butler, 9th Baronet of Ratling Court, 4th Lord Dingwall | Francis Thomas de Grey Cowper (1834–1905) 7th Earl Cowper, 7th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baron Lucas, 3rd Baron Butler, 9th Baronet of Ratling Court, 4th Lord Dingwall | Francis Thomas de Grey Cowper (1834–1905) 7th Earl Cowper, 7th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baron Lucas, 3rd Baron Butler, 9th Baronet of Ratling Court, 4th Lord Dingwall | Francis Thomas de Grey Cowper (1834–1905) 7th Earl Cowper, 7th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baron Lucas, 3rd Baron Butler, 9th Baronet of Ratling Court, 4th Lord Dingwall | Francis Thomas de Grey Cowper (1834–1905) 7th Earl Cowper, 7th Viscount Fordwich, 8th Baron Lucas, 3rd Baron Butler, 9th Baronet of Ratling Court, 4th Lord Dingwall | Florence Amabell Herbert | Florence Amabell Herbert | Florence Amabell Herbert | Florence Amabell Herbert | Florence Amabell Herbert | Florence Amabell Herbert | Auberon Edward William Molyneux Herbert (1838–1906) | Auberon Edward William Molyneux Herbert (1838–1906) | Auberon Edward William Molyneux Herbert (1838–1906) | Auberon Edward William Molyneux Herbert (1838–1906) | Auberon Edward William Molyneux Herbert (1838–1906) | Auberon Edward William Molyneux Herbert (1838–1906) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Earldom of Cowper, Viscountcy of Fordwich, Barony of Cowper, Baronetcy of Ratlingcourt extinct, 1905 | Earldom of Cowper, Viscountcy of Fordwich, Barony of Cowper, Baronetcy of Ratlingcourt extinct, 1905 | Earldom of Cowper, Viscountcy of Fordwich, Barony of Cowper, Baronetcy of Ratlingcourt extinct, 1905 | Earldom of Cowper, Viscountcy of Fordwich, Barony of Cowper, Baronetcy of Ratlingcourt extinct, 1905 | Earldom of Cowper, Viscountcy of Fordwich, Barony of Cowper, Baronetcy of Ratlingcourt extinct, 1905 | Earldom of Cowper, Viscountcy of Fordwich, Barony of Cowper, Baronetcy of Ratlingcourt extinct, 1905 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Auberon Thomas Herbert (1876–1916) 9th Baron Lucas, 5th Lord Dingwall | Auberon Thomas Herbert (1876–1916) 9th Baron Lucas, 5th Lord Dingwall | Auberon Thomas Herbert (1876–1916) 9th Baron Lucas, 5th Lord Dingwall | Auberon Thomas Herbert (1876–1916) 9th Baron Lucas, 5th Lord Dingwall | Auberon Thomas Herbert (1876–1916) 9th Baron Lucas, 5th Lord Dingwall | Auberon Thomas Herbert (1876–1916) 9th Baron Lucas, 5th Lord Dingwall | Nan Ino Cooper (1880–1958) 10th Baroness Lucas, 6th Lady Dingwall | Nan Ino Cooper (1880–1958) 10th Baroness Lucas, 6th Lady Dingwall | Nan Ino Cooper (1880–1958) 10th Baroness Lucas, 6th Lady Dingwall | Nan Ino Cooper (1880–1958) 10th Baroness Lucas, 6th Lady Dingwall | Nan Ino Cooper (1880–1958) 10th Baroness Lucas, 6th Lady Dingwall | Nan Ino Cooper (1880–1958) 10th Baroness Lucas, 6th Lady Dingwall |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Anne Rosemary Palmer (d. 1991) 11th Baroness Lucas, 7th Lady Dingwall | Anne Rosemary Palmer (d. 1991) 11th Baroness Lucas, 7th Lady Dingwall | Anne Rosemary Palmer (d. 1991) 11th Baroness Lucas, 7th Lady Dingwall | Anne Rosemary Palmer (d. 1991) 11th Baroness Lucas, 7th Lady Dingwall | Anne Rosemary Palmer (d. 1991) 11th Baroness Lucas, 7th Lady Dingwall | Anne Rosemary Palmer (d. 1991) 11th Baroness Lucas, 7th Lady Dingwall | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ralph Matthew Palmer (b. 1951) 12th Baron Lucas, 8th Lord Dingwall | Ralph Matthew Palmer (b. 1951) 12th Baron Lucas, 8th Lord Dingwall | Ralph Matthew Palmer (b. 1951) 12th Baron Lucas, 8th Lord Dingwall | Ralph Matthew Palmer (b. 1951) 12th Baron Lucas, 8th Lord Dingwall | Ralph Matthew Palmer (b. 1951) 12th Baron Lucas, 8th Lord Dingwall | Ralph Matthew Palmer (b. 1951) 12th Baron Lucas, 8th Lord Dingwall | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |