Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Mant, Walter Bishop

by Alexander Gordon

MANT, WALTER BISHOP (1807–1869), divine, eldest son of Richard Mant [q. v.], was born on 25 June 1807 at Buriton, Hampshire. He matriculated at Oriel College, Oxford, on 6 Feb. 1824, and graduated B.A. 1827, M.A. 1830. In 1831 he took orders, and was appointed archdeacon of Connor by his father. In October 1834 he was preferred to the rectory of Hillsborough, co. Down, and was appointed archdeacon of Down. For many years he was provincial grand master, and afterwards provincial grand chaplain, of the freemasons of Down and Antrim. Like his father, whose biographer he became, he wrote verse. In antiquarian subjects he took considerable interest, and contributed to the 'Proceedings' of local societies, he preached on Sunday, 4 April 1869, and died of influenza two days later at the archdeaconry, Hillsborough; he was buried on 10 April at Hillsborough.

He published:

1. 'Horas Apostolicæ,' &c, 1839, 8vo.
2. 'The Man of Sorrows … five Discourses,' &c, Oxford, 1852, 8vo.
3. 'Memoirs of … Richard Mant,' &c, Dublin, 1857, 8vo.
4. 'Christophoros and other Poems,' &c, 1861, 8vo.
5. 'Bible Quartetts,' &c.[1862],32mo (three numbers).
6. 'Scientific Quartetts,' &c [1862-3], 32mo (six numbers).

[Belfast Newsletter, 7 April and 12 April 1869; Guardian, 14 April 1869, p. 400; Ewart's Handbook of Diocese of Down, Connor, and Dromore, 1886, p. 49; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1715-1886.]

A. G.