John Whitaker (historian)
Encyclopedia
John Whitaker B.D., F.S.A. (born Manchester 1735; died Ruan Lanihorne 1808), was an English historian and Anglican clergyman. Besides historical studies on the Roman Empire and on the early history of Great Britain he was a reviewer for London magazines and a poet.
on 27 April 1735. In 1771, he published the first volume of The History of Manchester; and the second volume in 1775. A copy of Whitaker's manuscript of the continuation to the fifteenth century is in Chetham's Library, Manchester.
Whitaker's views on early British society were idiosyncratic: in his History of Manchester, (1771–75) he argued that the ancient Britons had already established a feudal system, and under the Romans had been entirely converted to Christianity (his erudition was recognised as remarkable but the theories were mostly illfounded). The Life of St Neot, published posthumously in 1809, was similarly intended to challenge traditional orthodoxies in the form of the extant saint's lives.
He took his degrees at Oxford: B.A. 1755; M.A. 1759; and B.D. 1767: he was elected a F. S. A. in 1771. After taking his degrees and holding two curacies he became Rector of Ruan Lanihorne in Cornwall in 1777 or 1778. He also published a number of sermons, poems, and articles for Richard Polwhele
's History of Cornwall. He was a prolific reviewer for the English Review, British Critic
, and Anti-Jacobin Review
, finding this an important means of supplementing his income and paying for the books necessary for his studies. In addition to his published works he had planned or contemplated a number of other projects: a parochial history of Cornwall
, a military history of the Romans in Britain, a history of Oxford, one of London, notes on Shakespeare, and illustrations to the Bible. He was a man of fiery temperament and extreme views, and a fervent belief in all the tenets of ‘orthodox’ Christianity. He was able to inspire considerable friendship and loyalty from those who knew him best. His close friend Richard Polwhele described him as being of a tall, muscular frame, dark featured, and with light greenish eyes. He reputedly had a squint and wore false teeth made of ebony. He died at his rectory on 30 October 1808 and was buried in Ruan Lanihorne in Cornwall; his widow Jane (née Tregenna), who had long suffered ill health, lived on until 30 December 1828.
He studied the decline of the Cornish language
and concluded in his work The Ancient Cathedral of Cornwall
His numerous writings are listed in Bibliotheca Cornubiensis by Boase and Courtney and in Palatine Note-book, vol. i., p. 77.
Life
He was the son of James Whitaker, innkeeper, and was born in ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
on 27 April 1735. In 1771, he published the first volume of The History of Manchester; and the second volume in 1775. A copy of Whitaker's manuscript of the continuation to the fifteenth century is in Chetham's Library, Manchester.
Whitaker's views on early British society were idiosyncratic: in his History of Manchester, (1771–75) he argued that the ancient Britons had already established a feudal system, and under the Romans had been entirely converted to Christianity (his erudition was recognised as remarkable but the theories were mostly illfounded). The Life of St Neot, published posthumously in 1809, was similarly intended to challenge traditional orthodoxies in the form of the extant saint's lives.
He took his degrees at Oxford: B.A. 1755; M.A. 1759; and B.D. 1767: he was elected a F. S. A. in 1771. After taking his degrees and holding two curacies he became Rector of Ruan Lanihorne in Cornwall in 1777 or 1778. He also published a number of sermons, poems, and articles for Richard Polwhele
Richard Polwhele
Richard Polwhele was a Cornish clergyman, poet and topographer.-Biography:Born at Truro, Cornwall, Polwhele met literary luminaries Catharine Macaulay and Hannah More at an early age. He was educated at Truro Grammar School, where he precociously published The Fate of Llewellyn...
's History of Cornwall. He was a prolific reviewer for the English Review, British Critic
British Critic
The British Critic: A New Review was a quarterly publication, established in 1793 as a conservative and high church review journal riding the tide of British reaction against the French Revolution.-High church review:...
, and Anti-Jacobin Review
Anti-Jacobin Review
The Anti-Jacobin Review and Magazine, or, Monthly Political and Literary Censor , a conservative British political periodical, was founded by John Gifford [pseud. of John Richards Green] after the demise of William Gifford's The Anti-Jacobin, or, Weekly Examiner...
, finding this an important means of supplementing his income and paying for the books necessary for his studies. In addition to his published works he had planned or contemplated a number of other projects: a parochial history of Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, a military history of the Romans in Britain, a history of Oxford, one of London, notes on Shakespeare, and illustrations to the Bible. He was a man of fiery temperament and extreme views, and a fervent belief in all the tenets of ‘orthodox’ Christianity. He was able to inspire considerable friendship and loyalty from those who knew him best. His close friend Richard Polwhele described him as being of a tall, muscular frame, dark featured, and with light greenish eyes. He reputedly had a squint and wore false teeth made of ebony. He died at his rectory on 30 October 1808 and was buried in Ruan Lanihorne in Cornwall; his widow Jane (née Tregenna), who had long suffered ill health, lived on until 30 December 1828.
He studied the decline of the Cornish language
Cornish language
Cornish is a Brythonic Celtic language and a recognised minority language of the United Kingdom. Along with Welsh and Breton, it is directly descended from the ancient British language spoken throughout much of Britain before the English language came to dominate...
and concluded in his work The Ancient Cathedral of Cornwall
- The English Liturgy, was not desired by the Cornish, but forced upon them by the tyranny of England, at a time when the English language was yet unknown in Cornwall. This act of tyranny was at once gross barbarity to the Cornish people, and a death blow to the Cornish language.
Selected works
- The Ancient Cathedral of Cornwall Historically Surveyed (1804) (in 2 volumes). London: John Stockdale [An account of the church of St Germans]
- The Course of Hannibal Over the Alps Ascertained (1794). London: John Stockdale
- The Genuine History of the Britons Asserted (1772). [London] : sold by Dodsley
- The History of Manchester (1771 & 1775). Books 1 & 2 (3 parts in 2 volumes). London: sold by Dodsley [et al.] [Ancient British, Roman and early Anglo-Saxon periods only]
- The Life of Saint Neot, the Oldest of all the Brothers to King Alfred (1809). London: John Joseph Stockdale (published posthumously: Stockdale was also the editor)
- Mary Queen of Scots Vindicated (1787) (in 3 volumes) London: John Murray
- The Origin of ArianismArianismArianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
Disclosed (1791) London : Printed for John Stockdale - The Real Origin of Government (1795). London: John Stockdale
External links and bibliography
- http://www.mancuniensis.info/Chronology/Chronology1808FPX.htm
His numerous writings are listed in Bibliotheca Cornubiensis by Boase and Courtney and in Palatine Note-book, vol. i., p. 77.