Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Frere, Philip Howard
FRERE, PHILIP HOWARD (1813–1868), agriculturist, the eldest son of William Frere [q. v.] by his wife Mary, daughter of Brampton Gurdon Dillingham, was born in 1813. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, and in 1836 was placed among the senior optimes in the mathematical, and in the first class in the classical tripos. In the following year he was elected a fellow of Downing College, and in 1839 became tutor and bursar. The endowments of Downing consisted almost entirely of agricultural lands, the management of which devolved on the bursar, and Frere's previous residence on his father's estate at Balsham, Cambridgeshire, rendered him admirably suited to the post. He travelled much in Europe, and became a good linguist. His combination of a knowledge of agriculture and foreign languages led to his appointment as editor of the ‘Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society’ in 1862, when the council determined to raise the standard of their publication. He conducted the journal with success, contributing papers on agricultural subjects till his death at Cambridge in May 1868. Frere married in 1859 Emily, daughter of Henry Gipps, canon of Carlisle Cathedral, and vicar of Crosthwaite, Keswick, and left issue.
[Information from the Rev. W. H. Frere; Journal of the Royal Agricultural Soc.]