Subseries Howland - Richard Howland (1577)

Richard Howland was admitted as a pensioner at Christ's College on 18 March 1558 but migrated to SJC. He graduated B.A. in 1561. He was elected to the felllowship of Peterhouse in 1562 and proceeded to M.A. in 1564. In 1569, he was presented to the rectory of Stathern, Leicestershire by the Master and fellows of Peterhouse. He was appointed Master of Magdalene College by Lord Burghley in 1576. Howland was tipped to replace John Whitgift as master of Trinity upon Whitgift's resignation but the crown had already selected John Still to replace Whitgift. Howland was chosen to take Still's place as the head of St John's.

He was admitted Master 20 July 1577, finding a college full of religious dissensions but with new statutes. The choice of a successor threatened to involve the college in a fierce internal struggle and it was arranged that Howland should continue to hold the mastership with his bishopric (Peterborough); he resigned in February 1586.