James Alleyn
Encyclopedia
James Allen was a prominent 18th century educationalist, Master of the College of God's Gift in Dulwich (then colloquially called Dulwich College
) and was the founder of James Allen's Girls' School
.
, North London, he later moved to Sussex
. His father, also James Allen, drowned in an accident in 1690, after which his mother, Elizabeth, moved the family to Westminster
and remarried. By 1701, James Allen was a clerk in the Cursitors' Hall, the clerical branch of the Court of Chancery
.
During his time at the College much rebuilding was carried out and the estates run by the charitable foundation were carefully administered. Most of his predecessors, both in the role of Master and Warden, as well as most of the former Fellows of the College, had taken advantage of the privileged position they found themselves in to live the pleasantest life possible, whilst for the most part ignoring the wishes of the College's founder, Edward Alleyn
, to ensure that every poor scholar would be adequately prepared for going out in the world, be that into an apprenticeship or to university.
James Allen, however, was very conscious of the Foundation's duty as laid out in the statutes penned by Edward Alleyn.
In order to provide education for the boys of Dulwich
, in 1741 he made over to the College six houses near the gravel pits of Kensington
that he had bought in 1737, the rents from which were to be used to establish two small schools in Dulwich
, to be known as the Dulwich Free School, first set up in a local tavern. One where boys would be taught to read,and the other was a step further for this was where girls would be taught to read and sew. This was the seed that would eventually grow into the present day James Allen's Girls' School
which dates its foundation back to this date in 1741 (although the James Allen Foundation only ceased to be responsible for boys after the boys were moved to Dulwich College Grammar School in 1842). The last of the house was still owned by the school up until 1997 when it was sold to establish the fund which finances James Allen's Girls' School Assisted Places.
Also of note was the fact that James Allen was the first Master of the College to drop the 'y' from his surname (thus Alleyn became Allen). With one exception, all successive Masters up to the time of Alfred James Carver
in 1858 would copy this.
During his tenure of the Mastership of the College there were six Wardens who served with him. The position of Warden automatically became the Master on the death, resignation or removal of the current Master.
However, four Wardens were elected and pre-deceased James (William Alleyn died 1723; John Alleyn died 1731; William Allen died 1735; Henry Allen died 1744-45), one resigned (Thomas Allen resigned in 1740), and only the sixth, Joseph Allen
, outlasted James.
His portrait hangs in the College under which he is described as six feet high, skilful as a skater, a jumper, athletic and humane.'
He died on 28 October 1746 and was buried in the College Chapel.
. She was his second wife. Lord Forbes was attained for rebellion in 1745.
Dulwich College
Dulwich College is an independent school for boys in Dulwich, southeast London, England. The college was founded in 1619 by Edward Alleyn, a successful Elizabethan actor, with the original purpose of educating 12 poor scholars as the foundation of "God's Gift". It currently has about 1,600 boys,...
) and was the founder of James Allen's Girls' School
James Allen's Girls' School
James Allen's Girls' School, or JAGS, is an independent day school situated in Dulwich, South London, England. It has a senior school for 11–18 year old girls, a prep school for 7–11 year old girls , and a pre-preparatory school — JAPPS — for 4–7 year old girls.-Jags History:The school is part of...
.
Early life
Born on 4 May 1683 in HornseyHornsey
Hornsey is a district in London Borough of Haringey in north London in England. Whilst Hornsey was formerly the name of a parish and later a municipal borough of Middlesex, today, the name refers only to the London district. It is an inner-suburban area located north of Charing Cross.-Locale:The ...
, North London, he later moved to Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
. His father, also James Allen, drowned in an accident in 1690, after which his mother, Elizabeth, moved the family to Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
and remarried. By 1701, James Allen was a clerk in the Cursitors' Hall, the clerical branch of the Court of Chancery
Court of Chancery
The Court of Chancery was a court of equity in England and Wales that followed a set of loose rules to avoid the slow pace of change and possible harshness of the common law. The Chancery had jurisdiction over all matters of equity, including trusts, land law, the administration of the estates of...
.
Career
James Allen took the role of Warden of the College on 26 May 1712 under the name James Alleyn and became Master on 1 September 1721.During his time at the College much rebuilding was carried out and the estates run by the charitable foundation were carefully administered. Most of his predecessors, both in the role of Master and Warden, as well as most of the former Fellows of the College, had taken advantage of the privileged position they found themselves in to live the pleasantest life possible, whilst for the most part ignoring the wishes of the College's founder, Edward Alleyn
Edward Alleyn
Edward Alleyn was an English actor who was a major figure of the Elizabethan theatre and founder of Dulwich College and Alleyn's School.-Early life:...
, to ensure that every poor scholar would be adequately prepared for going out in the world, be that into an apprenticeship or to university.
James Allen, however, was very conscious of the Foundation's duty as laid out in the statutes penned by Edward Alleyn.
In order to provide education for the boys of Dulwich
Dulwich
Dulwich is an area of South London, England. The settlement is mostly in the London Borough of Southwark with parts in the London Borough of Lambeth...
, in 1741 he made over to the College six houses near the gravel pits of Kensington
Kensington
Kensington is a district of west and central London, England within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. An affluent and densely-populated area, its commercial heart is Kensington High Street, and it contains the well-known museum district of South Kensington.To the north, Kensington is...
that he had bought in 1737, the rents from which were to be used to establish two small schools in Dulwich
Dulwich
Dulwich is an area of South London, England. The settlement is mostly in the London Borough of Southwark with parts in the London Borough of Lambeth...
, to be known as the Dulwich Free School, first set up in a local tavern. One where boys would be taught to read,and the other was a step further for this was where girls would be taught to read and sew. This was the seed that would eventually grow into the present day James Allen's Girls' School
James Allen's Girls' School
James Allen's Girls' School, or JAGS, is an independent day school situated in Dulwich, South London, England. It has a senior school for 11–18 year old girls, a prep school for 7–11 year old girls , and a pre-preparatory school — JAPPS — for 4–7 year old girls.-Jags History:The school is part of...
which dates its foundation back to this date in 1741 (although the James Allen Foundation only ceased to be responsible for boys after the boys were moved to Dulwich College Grammar School in 1842). The last of the house was still owned by the school up until 1997 when it was sold to establish the fund which finances James Allen's Girls' School Assisted Places.
Also of note was the fact that James Allen was the first Master of the College to drop the 'y' from his surname (thus Alleyn became Allen). With one exception, all successive Masters up to the time of Alfred James Carver
Alfred James Carver
Reverend Alfred James Carver MA was a noted educationalist and clergyman and was Master of Dulwich College from 1858 to 1883.-Early life:...
in 1858 would copy this.
During his tenure of the Mastership of the College there were six Wardens who served with him. The position of Warden automatically became the Master on the death, resignation or removal of the current Master.
However, four Wardens were elected and pre-deceased James (William Alleyn died 1723; John Alleyn died 1731; William Allen died 1735; Henry Allen died 1744-45), one resigned (Thomas Allen resigned in 1740), and only the sixth, Joseph Allen
Joseph Allen (Doctor of Medicine)
Joseph Allen M.D. was a prominent eighteenth century physician, surgeon on Lord Anson's circumnavigation of the world, and Master of the College of God's Gift in Dulwich ....
, outlasted James.
His portrait hangs in the College under which he is described as six feet high, skilful as a skater, a jumper, athletic and humane.'
He died on 28 October 1746 and was buried in the College Chapel.
Family
His daughter, Elizabeth, went on to marry Alexander, 4th Baron Forbes of PitsligoLord Forbes of Pitsligo
Lord Forbes of Pitsligo was a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created on 24 June 1633 for Alexander Forbes. He was a descendant of Sir William Forbes, brother of Alexander Forbes, 1st Lord Forbes...
. She was his second wife. Lord Forbes was attained for rebellion in 1745.