Stephen White (Jesuit)
Encyclopedia
Stephen White, SJ was a Jesuit author and antiquarian
who wrote about the early Irish saints.
He was born in Clonmel
, Ireland, to a family devoted to religion and education. In 1592, Trinity College, Dublin
was founded, and S. White (in all probability Stephen White) was one of the few students named in the charter. Unwilling to take the Oath of Supremacy
, he left his native land and entered the Irish College in Salamanca
, Spain, where in 1596 he joined the Society of Jesus
, and taught from 1602 to 1606. The domestic record says of him, "plurimum profecit in litteris". This skill he employed as one of the two principal collaborators of William Bathe
's systematic language method called Janua linguarum, a work on which John Amos Comenius twenty years later based his celebrated Janua linguarum reserata.
In 1606 he went to Germany and lectured on theology in Ingolstadt
, Dillingen
, and other places. He applied himself to the study of history and was generally reputed to be one of the most learned men of his time in Europe. Archbishop Ussher calls him "a man profoundly versed in the ancient records, not of Ireland alone, but of other countries". His chief interest was in Irish history. To him is due the honour of fixing the historic label "Scotia
" where it belongs—to Ireland. He called attention to the treasures of Irish literature preserved in the monasteries and libraries of Germany, and generously supplied many noted scholars, such as Ussher and John Colgan, with accurate copies of Irish manuscripts accompanied by critical emendations and commentaries.
His biographical notices of early Irish saints were utilized in the "Acta SS." What gave him the bent towards early Irish history seems to have been the publication in Frankfurt by William Camden
of two works by Gerald of Wales, which he felt libelled Ireland and its people. In refutation he wrote his best-known work Apologia pro Hibernia adversus Cambri calumnias. After an absence of nearly thirty-eight years he returned to Ireland to join the staff at the Jesuit college recently established in Dublin. The college, however, was after a short time suppressed by the Government, and the property was confiscated and handed over to Trinity College. For some years he laboured in his native Diocese
of Waterford
and Lismore
, mainly engaged in teaching catechism
to children. In 1644 he went to Galway where he died.
Antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
who wrote about the early Irish saints.
He was born in Clonmel
Clonmel
Clonmel is the county town of South Tipperary in Ireland. It is the largest town in the county. While the borough had a population of 15,482 in 2006, another 17,008 people were in the rural hinterland. The town is noted in Irish history for its resistance to the Cromwellian army which sacked both...
, Ireland, to a family devoted to religion and education. In 1592, Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
was founded, and S. White (in all probability Stephen White) was one of the few students named in the charter. Unwilling to take the Oath of Supremacy
Oath of Supremacy
The Oath of Supremacy, originally imposed by King Henry VIII of England through the Act of Supremacy 1534, but repealed by his daughter, Queen Mary I of England and reinstated under Mary's sister, Queen Elizabeth I of England under the Act of Supremacy 1559, provided for any person taking public or...
, he left his native land and entered the Irish College in Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
, Spain, where in 1596 he joined the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, and taught from 1602 to 1606. The domestic record says of him, "plurimum profecit in litteris". This skill he employed as one of the two principal collaborators of William Bathe
William Bathe
William Bathe was a Jesuit priest, born in Dublin, Ireland.Bathe was a native of Drumcondra Castle, County Dublin, and a brother of John Bathe, an Irish representative at the Royal Court in Madrid in the early 1600's.....
's systematic language method called Janua linguarum, a work on which John Amos Comenius twenty years later based his celebrated Janua linguarum reserata.
In 1606 he went to Germany and lectured on theology in Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is a city in the Free State of Bavaria, in the Federal Republic of Germany. It is located along the banks of the Danube River, in the center of Bavaria. As at 31 March 2011, Ingolstadt had 125.407 residents...
, Dillingen
Dillingen, Bavaria
Dillingen, or Dillingen an der Donau is a town in Bavaria, Germany. It is the administrative center of the district of Dillingen....
, and other places. He applied himself to the study of history and was generally reputed to be one of the most learned men of his time in Europe. Archbishop Ussher calls him "a man profoundly versed in the ancient records, not of Ireland alone, but of other countries". His chief interest was in Irish history. To him is due the honour of fixing the historic label "Scotia
Scotia
Scotia was originally a Roman name for Ireland, inhabited by the people they called Scoti or Scotii. Use of the name shifted in the Middle Ages to designate the part of the island of Great Britain lying north of the Firth of Forth, the Kingdom of Alba...
" where it belongs—to Ireland. He called attention to the treasures of Irish literature preserved in the monasteries and libraries of Germany, and generously supplied many noted scholars, such as Ussher and John Colgan, with accurate copies of Irish manuscripts accompanied by critical emendations and commentaries.
His biographical notices of early Irish saints were utilized in the "Acta SS." What gave him the bent towards early Irish history seems to have been the publication in Frankfurt by William Camden
William Camden
William Camden was an English antiquarian, historian, topographer, and officer of arms. He wrote the first chorographical survey of the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and the first detailed historical account of the reign of Elizabeth I of England.- Early years :Camden was born in London...
of two works by Gerald of Wales, which he felt libelled Ireland and its people. In refutation he wrote his best-known work Apologia pro Hibernia adversus Cambri calumnias. After an absence of nearly thirty-eight years he returned to Ireland to join the staff at the Jesuit college recently established in Dublin. The college, however, was after a short time suppressed by the Government, and the property was confiscated and handed over to Trinity College. For some years he laboured in his native Diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
and Lismore
Lismore, County Waterford
Lismore is a town in County Waterford, Ireland. It is located where the N72 road crosses the River Blackwater.-History:It was founded by Saint Mochuda, also known as Saint Carthage. In the 7th century, Lismore was the site of the well-known Lismore Abbey. It is also home to Lismore Castle, the...
, mainly engaged in teaching catechism
Catechism
A catechism , i.e. to indoctrinate) is a summary or exposition of doctrine, traditionally used in Christian religious teaching from New Testament times to the present...
to children. In 1644 he went to Galway where he died.