William Hopkins 1647-1700

William HOPKINS 1647-1700

Biographical Note

Born at Evesham, son of George Hopkins, Vicar there (subsequently ejected). BA Trinity College, Oxford 1665, MA St Mary Hall 1668, BD 1675, DD 1692. Chaplain to Henry Coventry, who he accompanied on an embassy to Sweden, 1671-2. Prebendary of Worcester 1675, lecturer at St Lawrence Jewry, London 1680, Vicar of Wolverley, Worcestershire 1681, Rector of Harvington 1682, Vicar of Lindridge 1686; Master of St Oswald’s Hospital, Worcester 1697. He published a number of theological and historical works, and was friendly with George Hickes when Dean of Worcester, sharing his interests in Old English studies.

Books

Hopkins’s library was sold by auction in Oxford, 10 February 1701. The sale catalogue includes 2041 lots, divided between Latin (1461) and English (580); the title notes the presence of numerous books from the Estienne and Elzevir presses. About 14% (ca.290) of the total were 16th-century imprints, the remainder spread through the 17th century. Hopkins did not mention his books in his will – they would have been included with his goods and chattels, divided between his wife and son – but he bequeathed £10 to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester, for the purchase of books for the Library.

Characteristic Markings

None of Hopkins’s books have been identified.

Sources

• Bibliotheca viri doctissimi Gul. Hopkins, 1701 (ESTC T21627).
• Martin, G. H. "Hopkins, William (1647–1700), Church of England clergyman and antiquary." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.