 He was born in Slaughter House Lane on 30 March 1788, and baptised at the parish church of Great St. Mary's on 25 April.He and his two brothers - the elder of whom, Charles Musgrave, became eventually archdeacon of Craven - were educated at Richmond Grammar School, then at the zenith of its reputation under Dr Tate.In 1804 he was admitted as a pensioner of Trinity College, Cambridge, and in 1807 was elected scholar.