The year 1854 marked the close of the career of the most remarkable Head Master who ever ruled the school. The Rev. John Bainbridge Smith, D.D., had entered on his duties April 10, 1818, succeeding Mr. L’Oste. Coming to the post as an entirely unknown man, of comparatively humble origin, but of great energy, he soon acquired a leading position in the town and neighbourhood; becoming Rector of Martin, Rector of Sotby, and Vicar of Baumber. He was the author of several standard works on Divinity. Under him the school achieved such a reputation that, besides the day scholars, he had a large number of boarders coming from Scotland, Ireland, Devonshire, London, and even Jersey and France. His end was unfortunately as remarkable as his career. Returning by train from Lincoln he fell asleep, and being roused at Kirkstead by the porter giving the name of the station, and the night being dark, he did not perceive that the train was again in motion, and springing out of the carriage, he fell a few yards beyond the platform and broke his neck. The porter found him lying helpless, but alive, on the line. He was carefully conveyed to his residence at Horncastle, and lingered alive several weeks, retaining his mental faculties, but having no sense of feeling below his neck. At length he recovered slight feeling in his legs and feet, and probably tempted by this to make an effort to move, he was found one morning dead in his bed. The Duke of Newcastle, who owned property in Baumber (where, as we have said, Dr. Smith was Incumbent), appointed him his private chaplain; and the Doctor’s youngest daughter, Sarah Katherine, married the Rev. Henry Fiennes Clinton, a near relative of the Duke, and a descendant of the founder of the school, Lord Clinton and Saye. The school building has not always occupied the site on which it now stands. As shewn in Stukeley’s plan of the town, printed in 1722, it stood in the north-east corner of the school yard. In 1772 that structure was found to be in a ruinous condition, and the present building was erected, being opened for use at Midsummer 1778. A classroom was added at the south end in 1855, and more recently another small room put up at the north end. The residence of the Head Master was formerly a small low cottage, but it was considerably enlarged in the early part of the 19th century, and in 1858 a new wing was added at the north end. In 1847 two “Clinton” Exhibitions were founded by the Governors, of £50 a year, to be held for four years, by scholars going to the University. For lack of such scholars this was granted to Clement Madely Smith, youngest son of Dr. Smith, the Head Master, who studied for the medical profession, in London. No further appointment however was made, as in 1848 the Governors decided that they had no authority so to employ the funds at their disposal.