Seatonian Prize

The Seatonian Prize is awarded by the University of Cambridge for the best English poem on a sacred subject. This prize has been awarded annually since 1750 and is open to any Master of Arts of the university. Lord Byron referred to this prize in his 1809 poem entitled 'English Bards and Scots Reviewers.'

Founding

This prize was founded by the Rev. Thomas Seaton, educated at Stamford School and a Fellow of Clare College, who died in 1741. The prize was financed by the revenue from his Kislingbury estate bequeathed to the University. His bequest was not formally accepted by the University until 1898, at which time regulations were drawn up for the administration of the Seatonian Prize by the Faculty of Divinity.

Winners

The winner in the first three years was Christopher Smart. "On the Omniscience of the Supreme Being" (Cambridge, 1752) was his prize-winning "poetical essay" of that year. Smart won much credit by his success. In 1754 his fellowship was extended on condition that he continued to write for the prize. In 1759 the prize was won by Beilby Porteus for his poem on "Death", for which he is still remembered. In 1797, 1798, and 1799 the prize was won by William Bolland.[1]

In 2018, the Seatonian Prize was awarded to Colin Wilcockson of Pembroke College.[2]

Further reading
  • Musae Seatonianae : A complete collection of the Cambridge prize poems, from the first institution of that premium by the Rev. Mr. Tho. Seaton, in 1750, to the present time. To which are added two poems, likewise written for the prize, Mr. [G.] Bally and Mr [J.] Scott. 1772. p. 334p. Reprinted in 1808 as two 2 volumes. Cambridge, J.Deighton.

References
  1. Courtney, William Prideaux (1886). "Bolland, William" . In Stephen, Leslie (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. 5. London: Smith, Elder & Co. p. 323.
  2. "Seatonian Prize". Retrieved on April 23, 2019.
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