Thomas Wyndham

Thomas Wyndham BCL DCL (1772-1862), was a 19th-century English Doctor of Divinity and scion of one of the most influential families in the West Country of England. Early life and education The Rev Dr Wyndham was the second son of William Wyndham of Dinton, Wiltshire, a lineal descendant of Sir John Wyndham and Sir Wadham Wyndham. Like his namesake and first cousin Thomas Wyndham, he was educated at Sherborne and Wadham College, Oxford, the college founded by his ancestress Dorothy Wadham, thereby enabling members of the Wyndham family to claim Founders' kin. He matriculated on 12 March 1788, aged 16, obtaining his BCL in 1794 and DCL in 1809. Ecclesiastical career Dr Wyndham's preferment greatly benefitted from the patronage of his family connections, commencing in 1801 as vicar of Compton Chamberlayne, the living of which was held by his kinsman John Penruddocke. In 1806 he was made rector of Pimperne under the patronage of his kinsman Henry Portman, which he held until his death in 1862. In 1809 Dr Wyndham also became rector of Melcombe Regis in Dorset, a favourite holiday resort of King George III, which he held until 1859.