Thomas Hearne 1678-1735

Thomas HEARNE 1678-1735

Biographical Note

Born in White Walsham, Berkshire, son of George Hearne, parish clerk there. BA St Edmund Hall, Oxford 1699, MA 1703; he lived in the Hall for the rest of his life. He was appointed a library assistant (janitor) at the Bodleian Library where he was effective in improving the catalogues and where he began his productive career in publishing editions of historical and classical texts. He became increasingly involved and expert in antiquarian studies, but his sympathies for nonjuring beliefs and contacts with many prominent nonjurors brought him into increasing conflict with the University authorities. His previously good relationship with John Hudson, Bodley's Librarian, soured and in 1716, when he refused to take the required oaths to the Hanoverian dynasty, he was dismissed from the Library and thenceforth forbidden access there. He made his living from then on primarily by publishing many English historical works, edited by him from manuscript sources. His "difficult personality and outspoken writings" (ODNB) brought him much criticism and ridicule during his lifetime but the value of his editorial work and his significant contributions to the study and appreciation of historic books have been increasingly recognised since his death. His diaries and letters, first published in the 19th century, have proved an invaluable source for historians of 18th-century Oxford and wider literary culture.