Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hodson, Frodsham
HODSON, FRODSHAM (1770–1822), principal of Brasenose College, Oxford, son of the Rev. George Hodson, was born at Liverpool on 7 June 1776. He entered the Manchester grammar school in January 1784, and left it in 1787 to proceed to Brasenose College, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. on 14 Jan. 1791, M.A. 10 Oct. 1793, B.D. 1808, and D.D. 1809. In May 1791 he succeeded to a Hulmean exhibition, and was afterwards elected a fellow of his college. In 1793 he gained the university prize for an essay in English prose on 'The Influence of Education and Government on National Character' (Oxford Engl. Prize Essays, 1836, vol. i.) In 1795 he was chosen lecturer at St. George's Church, Liverpool, and subsequently became chaplain of the same church. His persistence in holding the chaplaincy, although he rarely in later years visited Liverpool, gave offence in the town. In 1803-4 and again in 1808-10, he filled the office of public examiner at Oxford. In 1808 he was appointed rector of St. Mary's, Stratford-by-Bow. In 1809 he vacated that benefice on being elected principal of Brasenose College. He presided over the college with great ability and distinction for thirteen years, and took a leading part in the affairs of the university. He served the office of vice-chancellor in 1818, and was appointed regius professor of divinity, with the appurtenant canonry of Christ Church and rectory of Ewelme, in 1820. It was believed that Lord Liverpool intended him for a bishopric, but he died, after a short illness, on 18 Jan. 1822, aged 51. He was buried in the ante-chapel of his college, where he is commemorated in a Latin inscription by Dr. E. Cardwell. He married, on 30 June 1808, Anne, daughter of John Dawson of Mossley Hill, Liverpool. He left four daughters and a son. His widow died on 23 April 1848.
In the university Hodson was long remembered for his success as a college tutor and administrator, and for the dignity of his personal appearance and address. He edited Falconer's 'Chronological Tables,' 1796, 4to. His probationary exercise as a fellow of Brasenose was published in the same year, entitled 'The Eternal Filiation of the Son of God asserted on the Evidence of the Sacred Scriptures,' 8vo, pp. 81. His only other works were three occasional sermons published at Liverpool, and printed in 1797, 1799, and 1804.
His portrait, by Phillips, is in the hall of Brasenose College. It has been engraved by Fittler.
[J. F. Smith's Manchester School Register (Chetham Soc.), ii. 125; G. V. Cox's Recoll. of Oxford, 1868, p. 193; Brooke's Liverpool, 1853, p. 62; Mark Pattison's Memoirs, 1885, p.3; Foster's Alumni Oxon. ii.673; Thorn's Liverpool Churches and Chapels, 1851, p. 27; Evans's Cat. of Portraits, i. 173.]