Musae Seatonianae: A Complete Collection of the Cambridge Prize Poems from the First Institution of that Premium by the Rev. Tho. Seaton, in 1750, to the Present Time to which are Added Two Poems, Likewise for the Prize by Mr. Bally and Mr. Scott

Reverend Thomas Seaton (1684-1741)was an Anglican clergyman who studied at Cambridge University.  At his death he left his Kislingbury, Northamptonshire property to Cambridge University, the proceeds from which he asserted should be devoted to founding a prize for poetry in English written on religious and spiritual topics. The Seatonian Prize has thus been awarded since 1750, and is open to any Masters of Arts student.  It was sufficiently well known that Lord Byron referred to it in his poem "English Bards and Scots Reviewers" in which he refers to some of the winners by name. This volume collects together all of the winning poems for the Seatonian prize between 1750 and 1772. This copy is in poor condition, because the front and back covers are missing. In addition the title page has detached but is still present. However, the pages remain tightly bound and while there is some foxing and staining to the pages, the poetry is still entirely readable.