Charles Wheatly 1686-1742

Charles WHEATLY or WHEATLEY 1686-1742

One of Wheatly's bookplates, Franks 31443 (from a copy of J. Collier, Essays upon several moral subjects, 1709, private collection)

Biographical Note

Born in London, son of John Wheatly, gentleman. BA St John's College, Oxford 1710, fellow there 1707-14, MA 1713; vicar of Brent and Furneaux Pelham, Hertfordshire 1726. He published numerous doctrinal and devotional works, and is described by ODNB as "arguably the most influential liturgical scholar of his generation".

Books

Wheatly used two different engraved armorial bookplates, in different styles, made before 1714 when he resigned his fellowship at St John's (Franks 31442-3). The extent of his library is not known; in his will, he bequeathed all his books "printed or manuscript", as part of his goods and chattels generally, to his wife. She was also left all his copyrights and any future revenue associated with his publications. He is also said to have given some books to St John's College.

Sources

• Will of Charles Wheatly, the National Archives PROB 11/719/29.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.
• Sharp, Richard. "Wheatly, Charles (1686–1742), Church of England clergyman and liturgical scholar." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.