SON COLLEGE, or the college of the London clergy, which has been a religious house time out of mind, sometimes
College. sometimes under the denomination of a priory, sometimes under that of a spital or hospital: at its dissolution under 31st Henry VIII. it was called Elson's Spital, from the name of its founder, a mercer, in 1329. At present it is a composition of both, viz. a college for the clergy of London, who were incorporated in 1630, in pursuance to the will of Dr White, under the name of the President and Fellows of Stion College; and an hospital for ten poor men and as many women. The officers of the corporation are the president, two deans, and four assistants, who are annually chosen from among the rectors and vicars of London; and are subject to the visitation of the bishop. They have a good library, built and stocked by Mr Simpson, and furnished by several other benefactors, chiefly for the clergy of the city, without excluding other students on certain terms; and a hall, with chambers for students, generally occupied by the ministers of the neighbouring parishes.