Malthus, Thomas Robert

Malthus, Thomas Robert an English clergyman, was born at Rookery, Surrey County, England, in 1766; was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he obtained a fellowship, graduating B.A. in 1788 and M.A. in 1791; soon after took holy orders, and obtained a curacy in Surrey, and identified himself with the "High-Church" party. In 1805 he was appointed professor of modern history and political economy at the East India College at Haileybury, in Hertfordshire, which position he held until his death, Dec. 29, 1834. Mr. Malthus devoted himself more particularly to the study of political economy and secular history, and received his professorship on this account. (For a résumé of the "Malthusian theory," concerning the relation of population to the means of sustenance, see Chambers. Cyclop. s.v.) He preached frequently, however, while in this position, and was an earnest laborer for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom among men. His works are exclusively of a secular character: a complete list of them may be found in Allibone, Dict. of Auth., and English Cyclopaedia, s.v.