Abraham Fleming facts for kids
Abraham Fleming (born around 1552, died 1607) was an English clergyman who lived a long time ago. He was a very busy writer and translator. He helped many other authors with their books. Fleming also edited books and wrote poems. He was the main editor for a famous history book called Holinshed's Chronicles (published in 1587). He also collected old handwritten books, called manuscripts.
Life of Abraham Fleming
Abraham Fleming was probably born in Holborn, London, between 1548 and 1552. He went to Peterhouse, Cambridge university in 1570. He was a "sizar," which meant he was a student who didn't have much money. He worked to help pay for his studies. He earned his degree in 1582.
While studying, Fleming often visited London. He wrote and translated many popular books. Some of these books are still printed today! He started his writing career in a big way. In 1575, he was the first person to translate a complete book by the famous Roman poet Virgil into English. It was called the Eclogues. He translated it again that same year, but this time as a poem.
Later in his career, other writers asked Fleming to write good reviews for their books. He worked with well-known authors like George Whetston and Barnabe Googe. Many of London's top printers asked Fleming to edit or improve their books before they were printed. He became very well-connected. He is most famous for being the chief editor and a major writer for the second edition of Holinshed's Chronicles in 1587.
Abraham Fleming was a very religious Protestant throughout his life. He became a priest in August 1588. He was ordained by Dr Richard Fletcher at Peterborough Cathedral. Soon after, Fleming became a chaplain to Charles Howard, who was the Lord High Admiral of England.
Besides being a private chaplain, Fleming also worked at St Nicholas's Church in Deptford. He helped Reverend Thomas Macander there. Between 1589 and 1606, he gave sermons eight times at St Paul's Cross. This shows he was a trusted person in the church. In 1593, he became the rector of St Pancras, Soper Lane, London. He took his church work as seriously as his writing. Fleming helped his church members through at least two times when there were serious diseases.
Fleming died on September 18, 1607, in Bottesford, Leicestershire. He was visiting his brother Samuel, who was also a priest there. He was buried inside the church, under the main area. Even though Fleming came from humble beginnings, his coffin was placed near those of important noble families. A special plaque with a poem written by Fleming marks his burial spot. He was survived by his brother Samuel and his sister Hester. Fleming's biggest legacy is the fifty books he wrote, translated, or helped to create.
Abraham Fleming's Works
Many of Abraham Fleming's collected manuscripts were owned by Francis Peck in 1732. Peck planned to print them, but they cannot be found today. However, we know of 59 titles that Fleming worked on. Here are some of them:
- 'Virgil's Eclogues, translated into English Verse,' London, 1575.
- 'The Bukolikes of P. Virgilius Maro . . . Drawne into plaine and familiar English Verse,' London, 1575.
- 'A Panoplie of Epistles, or, a Looking-Glasse for the Vnlearned. Conteyning a perfecte plattforme of inditing letters of all sorts,' London, 1576. This was a translation from Latin.
- 'A Register of Hystories,' from the Greek of Aelianus, London, 1576.
- 'Of English Dogges,' from the Latin of John Caius, London, 1576.
- 'A Straunge and Terrible Wunder wrought very late in the Parish Church of Bongay .... the fourth of this August 1577, in a great tempest of violent raine, lightning, and thunder . . . With the appearance of a horrible-shaped Thing, sensibly perceived of the people then and there assembled,' London, 1577. This was reprinted in 1826.
- 'Of all Biasing Starrs in Generall,' from the Latin of Frederick Nause, bishop of Vienna, London, 1577.
- 'Historie of Leander and Hero,' written by Musaeus. This translation was published around 1577.
- 'A Paradoxe, proving by reason and example that baldnesse is much better than bushie haire, &c. Written by that excellent philosopher Synesius, or (as some say) Cyren. A prettie pamphlet to pervse, and replenished with recreation. Englished by Abraham Fleming. Herevnto is annexed the pleasant tale of Hemetes the Heremite, pronounced before the Queens Maiestie. Newly recognised both in Latine and Englishe, by the said A.F., ' London, 1579.
- 'Fred. Nawse, his generall Doctrine of Earthquakes,' translated, London, 1580. Fleming added a history of earthquakes in England to this book.
- 'A Memoriall of the Famous Monumentes and Charitable Almes Deedes of the Right Worshipfull Mr. Willm. Lambe . . . who deceased the xxi. of April 1580,' London, 1580.
- 'The Footpath to Felicitie,' London, 1581.
- 'A Monomachie of Motives in the mind of man: Or a battell between Vertues & Vices of contrarie qualitie,' newly Englished, London, 1582.
- Poetical translations for Reginald Scot's 'Discoverie of Witchcraft,' 1584.
- 'A Shorte Dictionarie in Latine and English,' London, 1586 and 1594.
- 'The Diamond of Deuotion; cut and squared into sixe severall pointes: namelie (1) The Footpath of Felicitie; (2) A Guide to Godlines; (3) The Schoole of Skill; (4) A Swarme of Bees; (5) A Plant of Pleasure; (6) A Grove of Graces. Full of manie fruitfull lessons auailable vnto the leading of a godlie and reformed life,' London, 1586.
- 'The Historie of England, . . . &c. By Raphael Holinshed. Now newlie digested, &c. by Abr. Fleming.' This was in the first volume of Holinshed's 'Chronicles,' 1587. Fleming also added to the third volume of this edition.
- 'The Bucoliks of Publius Virgilius Maro, Prince of all Latine Poets . . . Together with his Georgiks or Ruralls, otherwise called his husbandrie, conteyning foure books. All newly translated into English verse,' London, 1589. This version of the 'Bucolics' was different from his 1575 translation.
