the son of ralph schomberg of great yarmouth, norfolk, he was born there on 6 july 1756. from southampton school he was admitted a scholar of winchester school in 1770. he matriculated at the queen's college, oxford, and on 9 may 1775, was elected a demy of magdalen college, oxford in 1776. he graduated b.a. on 20 january 1779, and commenced m.a. on 9 november 1781. he became a probationer fellow of magdalen college in 1782, and senior dean of arts in 1791.