Thomas Broughton (divine)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Broughton was an English divine.
, was born in Oxford
. When he matriculated at University College, Oxford
, on 13 December 1731, his father was described as of 'Carfax
in Oxford.' He was elected Petreian fellow at Exeter College
on 30 June 1733, and became full fellow on 14 July 1734, taking his degree of B.A. on 22 March 1737. Soon after becoming an undergraduate he joined the little band of young men known as 'Methodists,' and remained a sympathiser with the Wesleys
for several years, until differences of opinion on the Moravian doctrines led to their separation.
Broughton's first clerical duty was at Cowley
, near Uxbridge
, and he was curate at the Tower of London
in 1736. Through George Whitefield
's influence he obtained the lectureship at St Helen's Bishopsgate, but as some of the parishioners objected to Whitefield's preaching from its pulpit he withdrew from the post. He visited the prisoners in Newgate Prison
and was indefatigable in doing good.
In 1741 he was appointed lecturer at Allhallows, Lombard Street, and two years later was elected secretary to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge , a position which he retained until his death. His only other preferment was the living of Wotton
in Surrey
, which he held from 1752 to 1777. He died at the society's house in Hatton Garden
, London
, 21 Dec. 1777. He held his fellowship at Exeter College until July 1741. In 1742 he married Miss Capel, by whom he had fifteen children, five of whom died young. A portrait of Broughton hangs in the board-room of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.
of a mistress by her male servant aged only 19, and issued in 1746, ninth edition 1818.
Life
Broughton, the son of another Thomas Broughton, said to have been at one time commissioner of excise at EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, was born in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. When he matriculated at University College, Oxford
University College, Oxford
.University College , is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2009 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £110m...
, on 13 December 1731, his father was described as of 'Carfax
Carfax
Carfax may refer to: about car history.* Carfax , a website with vehicle history information* Carfax 250, a motor race* Carfax, Oxford, England* The centre of Horsham, West Sussex, England...
in Oxford.' He was elected Petreian fellow at Exeter College
Exeter College
Exeter College may refer to:* Exeter College, Oxford a college of Oxford University* Exeter College, Exeter a college in Exeter, Devon...
on 30 June 1733, and became full fellow on 14 July 1734, taking his degree of B.A. on 22 March 1737. Soon after becoming an undergraduate he joined the little band of young men known as 'Methodists,' and remained a sympathiser with the Wesleys
John Wesley
John Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
for several years, until differences of opinion on the Moravian doctrines led to their separation.
Broughton's first clerical duty was at Cowley
Cowley, London
Cowley is a place in the London Borough of Hillingdon. It is a suburban development situated 15.4 miles west of Charing Cross. Cowley is home to , which was mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book....
, near Uxbridge
Uxbridge
Uxbridge is a large town located in north west London, England and is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Hillingdon. It forms part of the ceremonial county of Greater London. It is located west-northwest of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres...
, and he was curate at the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
in 1736. Through George Whitefield
George Whitefield
George Whitefield , also known as George Whitfield, was an English Anglican priest who helped spread the Great Awakening in Britain, and especially in the British North American colonies. He was one of the founders of Methodism and of the evangelical movement generally...
's influence he obtained the lectureship at St Helen's Bishopsgate, but as some of the parishioners objected to Whitefield's preaching from its pulpit he withdrew from the post. He visited the prisoners in Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison was a prison in London, at the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey just inside the City of London. It was originally located at the site of a gate in the Roman London Wall. The gate/prison was rebuilt in the 12th century, and demolished in 1777...
and was indefatigable in doing good.
In 1741 he was appointed lecturer at Allhallows, Lombard Street, and two years later was elected secretary to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge , a position which he retained until his death. His only other preferment was the living of Wotton
Wotton
Wotton may refer to:Places*Wotton, Devon*Wotton, Gloucester*Wotton, Surrey**Wotton House, Surrey, a Grade II listed building. Originally a country house and the seat of the Evelyn family, it is now a training and conference centre....
in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, which he held from 1752 to 1777. He died at the society's house in Hatton Garden
Hatton Garden
Hatton Garden is a street and area near Holborn in London, England. It is most famous for being London’s jewellery quarter and centre of the UK diamond trade, but the area is also now home to a diverse range of media and creative businesses....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, 21 Dec. 1777. He held his fellowship at Exeter College until July 1741. In 1742 he married Miss Capel, by whom he had fifteen children, five of whom died young. A portrait of Broughton hangs in the board-room of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.
Works
Two outspoken sermons of his attained great popularity: 'The Christian Soldier, or the Duties of a Religious Life recommended to the Army,' which was preached in 1737, printed in 1738, and reached its twelfth edition in 1818, a Welsh translation having appeared in 1797; and 'A Serious and Affectionate Warning to Servants,' occasioned by the brutal murderMurder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
of a mistress by her male servant aged only 19, and issued in 1746, ninth edition 1818.