John Lamb (priest)

John Lamb (priest) was an Anglican clergyman and writer. He was born in London in 1789 and died in 1850. He is primarily known for his work on early English drama and for his extensive collection of manuscripts.

Lamb was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and St. John's College, Cambridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1812 and a Master of Arts degree in 1815. He was ordained as a priest in the Church of England. He held various ecclesiastical positions throughout his career, including serving as perpetual curate of St. Andrew's, Chippenham, and later as rector of Ridgewell in Essex.

Lamb's scholarly pursuits focused on English literature, particularly early drama. He edited and published several plays from manuscript sources, contributing significantly to the understanding of the dramatic literature of the 16th and 17th centuries. His publications included editions of plays by early English playwrights, often accompanied by critical commentary and historical background information.

He also amassed a substantial collection of manuscripts, now dispersed among various libraries. His collection contained a wealth of primary source material relating to English history, literature, and theology. His notes and annotations on these manuscripts are valuable resources for scholars.

John Lamb's work as an editor and collector played an important role in preserving and making accessible valuable historical and literary documents. His contributions to the study of early English drama continue to be recognized by scholars in the field.