Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Montagu, John (1655?-1728)
MONTAGU, JOHN (1655?–1728), divine, fourth son of Edward Montagu, first earl of Sandwich [q. v.], was admitted a fellow-commoner at Trinity College, Cambridge, on 12 April 1672, and was elected fellow in 1674. He proceeded M.A. jure natalium, 1673, and D.D. (by royal mandate) on 27 Sept. 1686. In 1680 he was made master of Sherburn Hospital, Durham, by his relative, Bishop Crewe, and in 1683 he became prebendary of Durham Cathedral. In the same year (12 May) he was made master of Trinity College, Cambridge, by the crown. In 1687-8 he was vice-chancellor. In 1699 he resigned the mastership on being made dean of Durham. Montagu was admitted a member of the Gentlemen's Society at Spalding on 22 Aug. 1723. He died unmarried, at his house in Bedford Row, Holborn, London, on 23 Feb. 1728, aged 73, and was interred at Barnwell, Northamptonshire, the burying-place of his family (Nichols, Lit. Anecd. vi. 99).
Trinity College is said to have declined in numbers or reputation during Montagu's mastership, on account of the relaxation of discipline which his easy temper encouraged. He was a liberal benefactor to the college, subscribing 228l. towards the cost of the new library, and allowing 170l., due to him as master when he resigned, to be expended in purchasing furniture for the master's lodge. This sum had been claimed by his successor, Dr. Bentley, and the above compromise was not effected till 1702, when the thanks of the society were given to Montagu, and his name inscribed in the register of benefactors by the master. In 1720, when Bentley was projecting an edition of the New Testament, Montagu lent him some manuscripts from the Chapter Library at Durham.
[Collins's Peerage, iii. 464; Surtees's Durham, i. 142; Hutchinson's Durham, ii. 169, 185, 213; Le Neve, iii. 300; Monk's Bentley, i. 143, 147, ii. 120; Alumni Westmon. p. 28.]