Francis St. John Thackeray

“ Keate's resignation, Hawtrey, then senior assistant, became headmaster. Great hopes were entertained of him in his new office, although the collegiate body was opposed to any innovation. He at once rendered the school divisions much more manageable, confining himself to the sixth form, with the addition of the six next collegers and oppidans, and subdividing the fifth form. The conservative provost Goodall hampered Hawtrey's efforts at reform, and it was only on Goodall's death, and the succession of Hodgson as provost in 1840, that Hawtrey was free to act with any vigour. ”

“ In the same year (1846) the new buildings, with the spacious room set apart for the school library, were opened for the foundation boys, and a great revolution was effected in their status and mode of life. The Old Christopher Inn was closed, a reform that excited strong resistance. The sanatorium, by which Eton was shown to be far in advance of other schools, was opened. The restoration of the college chapel was carried out under Hawtrey between 1847 and 1852. ”

“ Many books were very expensively bound, and the library included specimens of celebrated bookbinders, e.g. Padeloup and Derome. Hawtrey died unmarried on 27 Jan. 1862, and was the last person buried within Eton college chapel. A monument, designed by Woodyer, with a recumbent figure by Nicholls, was erected in the chapel in 1878. A portrait of him, painted by Hélène Feillet in 1853, hangs in the provost's lodge. Part of Hawtrey's library was sold far below its worth in 1853, and the rest dispersed in 1862. ”