# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jelf, Richard William

​JELF, RICHARD WILLIAM (1798–1871), principal of King's College, London, born 25 Jan. 1798, was the second son of Sir ​James Jelf, knt., of Gloucester, and brother of William Edward Jelf [q. v.] He was educated at Eton, where he began a lifelong friendship with Pusey, and in December 1816 matriculated from Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. (with a second class in classics) in 1820, and M.A. in 1823, B.D. 1831, D.D. 1839. In 1820 he was elected fellow of Oriel, took holy orders in 1821, and became one of the tutors in 1823. He was master of the schools in 1824, and classical examiner in 1825. After being for a short time private tutor to Sir George Nugent, he was in 1826 appointed preceptor to Prince George of Cumberland, afterwards king of Hanover. This office he filled for thirteen years, residing much at Berlin before his pupil's father became king of Hanover (1837). In 1830 he was appointed canon of Christ Church. Jelf never took a prominent part in the Oxford movement, but was so much respected for his impartiality that both Newman and his friend Pusey addressed to him their respective letters on the interpretation of the Thirty-nine Articles, advocated in No. 90 of the ‘Tracts for the Times,’ 1841. In the following year (1842) he preached a sermon before the university, which was published with the title ‘Via Media; or the Church of England our providential path between Romanism and Dissent.’ In 1847 he was appointed one of the six doctors to examine and report on Dr. Pusey's sermon, with the result that Pusey was suspended from preaching for two years. In 1844 Jelf preached the Bampton lectures at Oxford, his subject being ‘An Inquiry into the means of Grace, their mutual connection and combined use, with especial reference to the Church of England.’ In the same year he succeeded Bishop Lonsdale as principal of King's College, London. There he remained for twenty-four years, discharging his duties with courtesy and efficiency, and founding the theological department. When F. D. Maurice [q. v.], the professor of theology, published his ‘Theological Essays’ in 1853, Jelf condemned his views, and the council deprived Maurice of his professorship. Jelf was for many years proctor in convocation for the chapter of Christ Church, and also sub-almoner to the queen. After resigning in 1868 the principalship of King's College, he lived in the house attached to his canonry at Oxford, where he died on 19 Sept. 1871. He married in 1830 Emmy, countess Schlippenbach, lady-in-waiting to the Duchess of Cumberland; he had seven children, including George Edward Jelf, canon of Rochester, Sir Arthur Richard Jelf, Q.C., and Colonel R. H. Jelf, R.E. Besides his Bampton lectures Jelf published a volume of ‘Sermons Doctrinal and Practical,’ 8vo, London, 1835; and ‘Suggestions respecting the Neglect of the Hebrew Language as a qualification for Holy Orders,’ 8vo, London, 1832. He also edited Bishop Jewel's ‘Works,’ 8vo, Oxford, 1848, 8 vols., and left behind him a series of ‘Lectures on the Thirty-nine Articles,’ which were edited after his death, 1873, by his son-in-law, the Rev. J. R. King.
[Annual Register, 1871; Guardian, 20 Sept. 1871; Foster's Alumni Oxon.; Oxford Ten-Year Book; Colonel Maurice's Life of F. D. Maurice, i. 363 sq., ii. 78 sq.; Mozley's Reminiscences; information furnished by the family.]
W. A. G.