Norton Knatchbull 1602-1685

Sir Norton KNATCHBULL 1602-1685

Biographical Note

Born at Maidstone, son of Thomas Knatchbull (1572-1623). BA St John’s, Cambridge 1620; admitted to the Middle Temple, 1624. Succeeded to the family estate at Mersham Hatch, Kent, on the death of his uncle Sir Norton, 1636. MP for New Romney, 1639, made a baronet 1641. Pursued his interests in biblical scholarship during the Interregnum, leading to the publication of Animadversiones in libros novi testamenti (1659, with subsequent editions and an English translation between 1672 and 1693). Returned to Parliament in 1660, but gradually withdrew from active engagement in political business. Knatchbull’s scholarship was highly regarded by his contemporaries and his biblical commentary remained well used into the 18th century.

Books

Acquired an extensive library to support his studies, which was auctioned after his death by John Bullord in London, 22 June 1698 (Knatchbull’s estate passed to his son Sir John, 2nd Bart, who died in 1696, his own son having predeceased him). The catalogue lists 1452 lots (including some tract volumes), divided as follows: Latin theology, including Bibles, commentaries, councils, patristics and ecclesiastical history, 282; other Latin books, including classics, dictionaries, history, politics, medicine, philosophy, mathematics and poetry, 532; English books including divinity, history, geography, philosophy, law and poetry, 638. The sale catalogue included an appendix comprising an extensive collection of manuscripts and prints, which appear not to have any connection with Knatchbull. Examples: Cambridge University Library E.10.9, Syn.7.60.156(2) and (4).

Sources

• The library of Sir Norton Knatchbull, 1698 (Wing K673).
• Beadle, R. Medieval English manuscripts at auction 1676-c.1700, The Book Collector 53 (2004),46-63, p.58.
• Keene, Nicholas. "Knatchbull, Sir Norton, first baronet (1602–1685), politician and biblical scholar." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Pearson, D. Patterns of book ownership in late seventeenth-century England, The Library 7th ser 11 (2010), 139-167.