The archive of Queens' College, Cambridge

Gorham (1787-1857) was born in St Neot's, Cambridgeshire and matriculted at Queens' College in 1805. He was a clergyman and a Fellow of Queens' College (1810-27). In 1846 he was appointed Vicar of St Just-in-Penwith, Cornwall. A dispute with the Bishop of Exeter over the theological doctrine of bapstismal regeneration resulted in legal proceedings in the Court of Arches, and a subsequent appeal by Gorham. The matter was eventually decided in his favour in the House of Lords and in 1851 Gorham was able to take up an appointment as Vicar of Bamford Speke, Devon.

Gorham was a controversial theologian and an author on antiquities.These papers include manuscript drafts of his sermons; legal case notes, correspondence and newspaper cuttings relating to Gorham's dispute with the Bishop of Exeter'; and notes, corespondence and seals relating to Gorham's theological research.