Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ingram, Robert Acklom

by Thompson Cooper

INGRAM, ROBERT ACKLOM (1763–1809), political economist, eldest son of Robert Ingram [q. v.], was born in 1763, and educated first in Dr. Grimwood's school at Dedham, and afterwards at Queens' College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. as senior wrangler in 1784. He became fellow and tutor of his college, commenced M.A. in 1787, was moderator in 1790, and proceeded B.D. in 1796. On taking orders he was appointed curate of Boxted, Essex, and in 1802 he was presented by the master and fellows of Queens' College to the rectory of Seagrave, Leicestershire, where he died on 5 Feb. 1809. His principal works are:

1. ‘The Necessity of introducing Divinity into the regular Course of Academical Studies considered,’ Colchester, 1792, 8vo.
2. ‘An Enquiry into the present Condition of the Lower Classes, and the means of improving it; including some Remarks on Mr. Pitt's Bill for the better Support and Maintenance of the Poor: in the course of which the policy of the Corn Laws is examined, and various other important branches of Political Economy are illustrated,’ London, 1797, 8vo.
3. ‘A Syllabus or Abstract of a System of Political Philosophy; to which is prefixed a Dissertation recommending that the Study of Political Economy be encouraged in our Universities, and that a Course of Lectures be delivered on that subject,’ London, 1800, 8vo.
4. ‘An Essay on the importance of Schools of Industry and Religious Instruction; in which the necessity of Promoting the good Education of poor Girls is particularly considered,’ London, 1801, 8vo.
5. ‘The Causes of the Increase of Methodism and Dissension, and of the Popularity of what is called Evangelical Preaching, and the means of obviating them, considered in a Sermon [on Rom. xiv. 17, 19]. To which is added a Postscript … on Mr. Whitbread's Bill … for encouraging of Industry among the Labouring Classes,’ London, 1807, 8vo.
6. ‘Disquisitions on Population, in which the Principles of the Essay on Population, by T. R. Malthus, are examined and refuted,’ London, 1808, 8vo.

[Lit. Memoirs of Living Authors, 1798, i. 318; Reuss's Reg. of Authors, Suppl. i. 546; Gent. Mag. lxxix. 189, 275; Cooper's Memorials of Cambridge, i. 315; Graduati Cantabr.; Watt's Bibl. Brit.]

T. C.