"Richard Burney, M.A. once a Fellow Commoner of this College, a man of unblemished lifestyle, studious in literature, known for his outstanding generosity toward the University and love to the College, died on 30th November 1847 aged 55." [trans DB]
Richard Burney (1790-1845) was admitted Fellow Commoner in 1818 aged 28. BA 1822; MA 1839. Richard was in service with the East India Company. His wife and child died in India. He returned to England and entered Christ's, where it is said that he burnt, in his college rooms, the muslin dresses of his wife and child. He returned to India in 1822 until 1838 when he proceeded to M.A. In 1842 he gave the University the ivory model of the Taj Mahal that is now in the Fitzwilliam Museum. In 1845 he established an annual prize for the best English essay on some moral or metaphysical subject on the existence, nature and attributes of God, or on the truth and evidence of the Christian religion. Before the gift was actually made he died on 30th Nov 1845 aged 55. He was buried in Gt.St Andrew's. His sister by deed of trust 19th Jan 1847 transferred the money with accumulation of interest, amounting to £3720. 8s. 10d to the University. She also gave in memory of him the glass in the east window of the chapel (subsequently moved to Toft Church, a living of the College). He was buried by his request in the ante-chapel . [PBR pp390]
