Difference between revisions of "John Aubrey 1626-1697"
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====Biographical Note==== | ====Biographical Note==== | ||
− | A noted antiquary, natural philosopher, and writer, Aubrey was born on 12 March 1626 at Easton Pierse near Kington St Michael in north Wiltshire | + | A noted [[occupation::antiquary]], [[occupation::natural philosopher]], and [[occupation::writer]], Aubrey was born on [[date of Birth::12 March 1626]] at [[place of Birth::Easton Pierse]] near [[location::Kington St Michael]] in [[location::north Wiltshire]] as the eldest son of [[family::Richard Aubrey]] ([[date of Birth::1603]]–[[date of Death::1652]]) and his wife, [[family::Deborah Aubrey|Deborah]] ([[date of Birth::1610]]–[[date of Death::1686]]). He was entered as a gentleman commoner at [[education::Trinity College, Oxford]], in 1642, but his studies were interrupted by the civil war. In 1646 he enrolled at the [[organisations::Middle Temple]] but did not complete his legal training. On his father's death in 1652 Aubrey inherited his estates and debts, becoming heavily entangled in lawsuits as a result and eventually losing his inheritance. Elected to [[organisations::the Royal Society]] in 1663 Aubrey became an active member, presenting various papers, and grew well acquainted with notable people of the late seventeenth century, including [[associates::Sir William Petty]], [[associates::Robert Hooke]], [[associates::Thomas Hobbes]], and [[associates::Anthony Wood]]. Aubrey is well-known for his work on natural history, architectural history, and mathematical science but is now perhaps best known as [[author::author]] of the prominent collection of short biographies, [[book Title::''Brief Lives'']] (date of Publication::1691), described on his ''ODNB'' page as ‘one of the great literary works of his age’. |
====Books==== | ====Books==== | ||
− | + | Aubrey [[bequest::bequeathed]] many of his books to the [[beneficiary::Ashmolean Museum]] (hence now in the [[present Repository::Bodleian Library|Bodleian]]), but also [[bequest::gave]] books to [[beneficiary::Gloucester Hall]] (there are now ca. 40 of Aubrey’s books at [[present Repository::Worcester College, Oxford]]). | |
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====Sources==== | ====Sources==== |
Revision as of 07:25, 24 March 2020
John AUBREY 1626-97
Biographical Note
A noted antiquary, natural philosopher, and writer, Aubrey was born on 12 March 1626 at Easton Pierse near Kington St Michael in north Wiltshire as the eldest son of Richard Aubrey (1603–1652) and his wife, Deborah (1610–1686). He was entered as a gentleman commoner at Trinity College, Oxford, in 1642, but his studies were interrupted by the civil war. In 1646 he enrolled at the Middle Temple but did not complete his legal training. On his father's death in 1652 Aubrey inherited his estates and debts, becoming heavily entangled in lawsuits as a result and eventually losing his inheritance. Elected to the Royal Society in 1663 Aubrey became an active member, presenting various papers, and grew well acquainted with notable people of the late seventeenth century, including Sir William Petty, Robert Hooke, Thomas Hobbes, and Anthony Wood. Aubrey is well-known for his work on natural history, architectural history, and mathematical science but is now perhaps best known as author of the prominent collection of short biographies, Brief Lives (date of Publication::1691), described on his ODNB page as ‘one of the great literary works of his age’.
Books
Aubrey bequeathed many of his books to the Ashmolean Museum (hence now in the Bodleian), but also gave books to Gloucester Hall (there are now ca. 40 of Aubrey’s books at Worcester College, Oxford).
Sources
- Bennett, K. John Aubrey’s collections and the early modern museum, Bodleian Library Record 17 (2001), 185-212.
- Buchanan-Brown, J. The books presented to the Royal Society by John Aubrey, Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London, 28 (1974), 167-93.
- Fox, Adam. "Aubrey, John (1626–1697), antiquary and biographer." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
- Gunther, R. The library of John Aubrey, Bodleian Quarterly Record 6 (1931), 230-6.
- Hunter, M. John Aubrey and the realm of learning, London, 1975.
- Lee, B. N. British bookplates: a pictorial history. Newton Abbot, 1979, 4.
- Wilkinson, C. H. Worcester College Library, Oxford Bibliographical Society Proceedings & papers 1 (1927), 263-320, p.266.