 H. C. O'Donoghue, formerly Chaplain to William IV, who had seceded from the Established Church on conscientious grounds.The Earl of Portsmouth opened a block of new buildings at Shebbear College in 1878, and offered a £5 prize for
the best essay on “The Effect of the Revolution of 1688 on Constitutional Progress and National Life.”

In October 1882, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland urged upon the College authorities the immediate building of a science laboratory.He himself subscribed liberally to the funds necessary for such a purpose and his example was followed by W. J. Harris, Esq.