which were written by Peacock. In 1816–17 he held the office of moderator, and introduced the symbols of differentiation into the papers set in the senate-house. This innovation was regarded with a good deal of disfavour (cf. Todhunter, Life of Whewell, ii. 16). Peacock himself, nothing daunted, wrote to a friend on 17 March 1817: ‘I shall never cease to exert myself to the utmost in the cause of reform. It is by silent perseverance only that we can hope to reduce the many-headed monster of prejudice, and make the university answer her character as the loving mother of good learning and science’ (Proceedings of the Royal Society, 1859, p. 538). His expectations were realised. He was moderator in 1818–19, and again in 1820–1, so that he had ample opportunities for carrying further the reform he had inaugurated. His reputation as a philosophic mathematician was greatly increased by the publication of his ‘Algebra’ in 1830.
Abstract science, however, was only one of the subjects to which he devoted himself. In 1817 he was one of the syndics for building the new observatory; in 1819 he took part in the establishment of the Philosophical Society; between 1831 and 1835 he warmly espoused the scheme for rebuilding the university library on an enlarged scale, and specially recommended the design by Charles Robert Cockerell [q. v.], in defence of which he wrote three pamphlets; in 1832 he interested himself in the new building for the university press; and in 1835 was a member of the syndicate for building the Fitzwilliam Museum. During these years he gradually became one of the most popular and influential of the resident members of the senate. The measures he advocated were not always palatable; but the charm of his manner, his exquisite courtesy, his consideration for those who differed with him, generally enabled him to carry his point without either losing a friend or exasperating an opponent.
Peacock's scientific attainments were quickly recognised. He was made F.R.S. in 1818, and in 1836 he was elected to the Lowndean professorship of astronomy, then in the gift of certain high officers of the crown. For this office Whewell was also a candidate. Peacock was Lowndean professor until his death, although he soon treated the office as a sinecure. He at first lectured on practical and theoretical astronomy; afterwards, by arrangement with his colleague of the Plumian chair, on geometry and analysis. But the attendance, at first large, gradually fell off, and in later years he practically ceased to lecture. In 1838 and 1843 he was appointed a member of the commission for the restoration of the standards of weight and measure destroyed by the burning of the houses of parliament. The commission was indebted to him for many valuable suggestions.
In 1839 he was made dean of Ely. He at once removed thither, and threw himself, with characteristic energy, into the duties of his new office. The cathedral was sorely in need of repair, little or nothing having been done to it since James Essex [q. v.] had altered its internal arrangements in the last century. Peacock persuaded the chapter to undertake a complete restoration of the fabric. He was ably seconded by Professor Willis and other archæologists, and by the professional skill of Sir George Gilbert Scott [q. v.]; but his own energy and zeal carried the work through, and by his personal exertions a large sum was raised by subscription. He also interested himself in the condition of the city of Ely. He got an improved system of drainage carried out, notwithstanding bitter opposition, and he did much for the education of the middle classes and the poor. He also took an enlightened interest in the affairs of the church at large, and was chosen in 1841 prolocutor of the Lower House of Convocation, an office which he held till 1847. He served again from 1852 to 1857, when failing health compelled him to resign.
In 1841 he published a work on ‘The Statutes of the University.’ The Elizabethan statutes, by which it was then governed, were there carefully analysed, and the distinction shown between their prescriptions and existing practice. Finally, a scheme was set forth for future adoption, in which many of the changes since introduced were foreshadowed. When, in 1850, the government decided to appoint a royal commission of inquiry, he became one of the commissioners; and in 1855 he was also a member of the parliamentary commission for making new statutes for the university and colleges. Both these commissions were greatly disliked in the university. The report of the first, published in 1852, was so conciliatory that the commissioners recovered much of their personal popularity; but the draft statutes for the colleges of Trinity and St. John's were condemned by both conservatives and liberals. It was generally believed that Peacock, from his recognised influence with the commissioners, was responsible for all that was most obnoxious. He was, in fact, in favour of compromise and conciliation, but thought it his duty to shield, at cost to his own reputation, the real author of the offensive statutes.
