Alexander Catcott
Encyclopedia
The Reverend Alexander Catcott (1725–1779) was an English
geologist
and theologian born in Bristol
, who became the vicar of Temple Church, Bristol
and the author of numerous works on science and theology.
He was the son of Reverend Alexander Stopford Catcott M.A., master (i.e. headmaster) of Bristol Grammar School
and Martha Symes and brother of George Symes Catcott, the friend of Thomas Chatterton
. His views on the Bible as a scientific source were influenced by the ideas of John Hutchinson
(1674–1737) and are expressed in his A Treatise on the Deluge.
Catcott left his book collection and two cabinets of his fossil
s and mineral
s as a bequest to Bristol's public library. These were housed in the Old Library
on King Street
and were one of the first public displays of fossils in the country. Later transferred to the Bristol Museum
, the fossils were destroyed in World War II
. However Catcott's books were in the new Central Library
building and survived.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
and theologian born in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, who became the vicar of Temple Church, Bristol
Temple Church, Bristol
Temple Church is a ruined church building in central Bristol, England, which was founded in the mid 12th century by Robert of Gloucester and the Knights Templar....
and the author of numerous works on science and theology.
He was the son of Reverend Alexander Stopford Catcott M.A., master (i.e. headmaster) of Bristol Grammar School
Bristol Grammar School
Bristol Grammar School is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England. The school was founded in 1532 by two brothers, Robert and Nicholas Thorne....
and Martha Symes and brother of George Symes Catcott, the friend of Thomas Chatterton
Thomas Chatterton
Thomas Chatterton was an English poet and forger of pseudo-medieval poetry. He died of arsenic poisoning, either from a suicide attempt or self-medication for a venereal disease.-Childhood:...
. His views on the Bible as a scientific source were influenced by the ideas of John Hutchinson
John Hutchinson (writer)
John Hutchinson was an English theological writer.He was born at Spennithorne, Yorkshire, and served as steward in several families of position, latterly in that of the Duke of Somerset, who ultimately obtained for him the post of riding purveyor to the master of the horse, a sinecure worth about...
(1674–1737) and are expressed in his A Treatise on the Deluge.
Catcott left his book collection and two cabinets of his fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s and mineral
Mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed through biogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. By comparison, a rock is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids and does not...
s as a bequest to Bristol's public library. These were housed in the Old Library
Old Library, Bristol
The Old Library is a historic building on the north side of King Street, Bristol, England. It was built in 1738–40 and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building....
on King Street
King Street, Bristol
King Street is a 17th century street in the historic city centre of Bristol, England.The street lies just south of the old town wall and was laid out in 1650 in order to develop the Town Marsh, the area then lying between the south or Marsh Wall and the Avon...
and were one of the first public displays of fossils in the country. Later transferred to the Bristol Museum
Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery
The Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery is a large museum and art gallery in Bristol, England. It is run by the city council with no entrance fee. It holds designated museum status, granted by the national government to protect outstanding museums...
, the fossils were destroyed in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. However Catcott's books were in the new Central Library
Bristol Central Library
Bristol Central Library is a historic building on the south side of College Green, Bristol, England. It contains the main collections of Bristol's public library....
building and survived.