Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Collins, William Lucas

by Thompson Cooper

COLLINS, WILLIAM LUCAS (1817–1887), miscellaneous writer, was educated at Jesus College, Oxford (B.A. 1838, M.A. 1841). He became curate of Great Houghton, Northamptonshire (1835-1862), and of Brayfield, Northamptonshire (1862-3), rector of Cheriton, Glamorganshire, vicar of Kilsby (1867-1873), and rector of Lowick, both in Northamptonshire (1873-87). With the last-named benefice he held the vicarage of Slipton, to which he was presented in 1876; and he was also an honorary canon of Peterborough. He died at Lowick on 24 March 1887.

Collins was editor of 'Ancient Classics for English Readers,' and wrote for the series the volumes on Homer's 'Iliad,' Homer's 'Odyssey,' Aristophanes, Lucian, Virgil, Plautus, Terence, Cicero, Livy, and Thucydides. His other works are:

1. 'The Luck of Ladysmede,' London, 1860, 8vo.
2. 'The Education Question,' London, 1863, 8vo.
3. 'Etoniana Ancient and Modern; being notes of the History and Traditions of Eton College,' London, 1866, 8vo.
4. 'The Public Schools: Winchester, Westminster, Shrewsbury. Harrow, Rugby: notes of their History and Traditions,' London, 1867, 8vo.
5. 'Montaigne,' in Mrs. Oliphant's 'Foreign Classics for English Readers,' 1870.
6. 'Butler,' a biography and an analysis of his works, in Dr. William Knight's 'Philosophical Classics for English Readers,' 1881.
7. 'La Fontaine and other French Fabulists,' in 'Foreign Classics.' 1882.

[Times, 28 March 1887; Crockford's Clerical Directory (1887): Blackwood's Mag., May 1887; Academy, 2 April 1887, p. 236.]

T. C.