William Emerton Heitland (21 December 1847 – 23 June 1935) was an English classicist at Cambridge University[1][2][3] who was described as having a passionate desire to attain the truth.
Heitland's father, Arthur Allan Heitland[note 1], youngest child of Major William Peter Heitland of the Madras Pioneers, was a farmer and his mother, Mary Browne of Colkirk House[note 2], Lady of Nowers Manor in Hindringham, was the daughter of Riches Repps Browne (1791-1823) more commonly known as Repps Browne,[7][note 3] a Norfolk gentleman by his wife Mary Jex[note 4] (1800-1839) of Fulmodeston in Norfolk. Heitland was admitted a pensioner of St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1867, a Craven scholar, 1869, B.A (Senior Classic[note 5]), 1871, M.A, 1874, Fellow, 1871-1935 and Tutor, 1883-93.[9] He married Margaret Bateson at Marylebone in 1901, she was the daughter of William Henry Bateson, master of St John's College in 1901; she lived between 1860 and 1938.
He is buried in the Ascension Parish Burial Ground, Cambridge. with his wife Margaret Heitland, a journalist and stalwart of the suffragette movement.
At the time of his death, his estate was valued at £26519 4s. 4d. One third of the residue of Heitland estate help establishing a fund named after him.
British engraver John Browne (1742-1801).
American born illustrator and watercolor artist Wilmot Emerton Heitland, N.A. (1893-1969) was his nephew, some of his paintings are on display at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Brooklyn Museum and the Philadelphia Museum School of Art.
The Heitland Fund,[10] capital and income at the disposal of the Fitzwilliam Museum.