He gained two chancellor's prizes: in 1787 for Latin verse, and in 1789 for an English essay ‘On the characteristic Differences between Ancient and Modern Poetry’.
The poem was printed separately and in sets of ‘Oxford Prize Poems.’ It was praised by Lord Byron (English Bards and Scotch Reviewers).
Richards graduated Bachelor of Arts (BA) on 4 November 1788, Oxford Master of Arts (MA Oxon) on 11 July 1791, and Bachelor of Divinity (BD) and Doctor of Divinity (DD) in 1820.
There he built a new vicarage, contributed towards the erection of the church of St Michael in Burleigh Street, Strand, and served for some years as treasurer of Charing Cross Hospital.
He died at Russell Square, London, on 30 March 1837, and was buried in a special vault in the churchyard of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields on 6 April.