Richard William Jelf

Richard William Jelf (25 January 1798 – 19 September 1871) was the fourth Principal of King's College, London.

He served as canon of Christ Church, Oxford, and Principal of King's College, London, from 1844 to 1868.

He was educated at Eton, where he began a lifelong friendship with Edward Bouverie Pusey, and in December 1816 matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated B.A.

This post he filled for thirteen years, residing much at Berlin before his pupil's father became king of Hanover (in 1837).

In 1842 he preached a sermon before the university, published as Via Media; or the Church of England our providential path between Romanism and Dissent.

[1] After resigning in 1868 the principalship of King's College, Jelf lived in the house attached to his canonry at Oxford, where he died on 19 September 1871.

[1] Jelf preached the Bampton lectures at Oxford in 1844, his subject being An Inquiry into the means of Grace, their mutual connection and combined use, with especial reference to the Church of England.