Anthony Anderson (theologian) facts for kids
Anthony Anderson (died October 10, 1593) was an English writer and preacher who focused on religious topics. He lived during the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
Contents
Anthony Anderson's Life Story
Anthony Anderson was born in Lancashire, a county in England. From 1560 to 1569, he worked for a church official called the Archdeacon of Leicester. An archdeacon helps the bishop manage churches in a certain area.
The Strange Cat Story
One of the most unusual events Anderson was involved in happened in 1569. A woman named Agnes Bowker in Leicestershire claimed she had given birth to a cat! This strange report was sent to the church authorities. Anthony Anderson made a life-size drawing of the cat, adding notes to it. He sent this drawing to Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon, a powerful nobleman. The drawing eventually made its way to London and even to the Bishop of London. The case was later dropped, and the drawing of the cat is now kept safe in the British Library.
Church Roles and Career
For many years, Anthony Anderson was the rector of Medbourne, a church in Leicestershire. A rector is a priest who leads a church parish. He started this job in 1573 and stayed there until he died in 1593.
In 1587, Anderson also took on two more church roles:
- He became the vicar of Stepney, a church near London. A vicar is another type of priest who leads a church.
- He became the rector of Dengie in Essex.
He held all three of these church positions at the same time.
In July 1592, Anderson received an important promotion. He became the subdean of the Chapel Royal. The Chapel Royal was the private church for the King or Queen of England. Before this, he had been a "gospeller" there for several years, which meant he read from the Gospels during services. Anthony Anderson's name can be found on many official papers about how the Chapel Royal was run. He passed away on October 10, 1593.
Anthony Anderson's Published Works
Anthony Anderson wrote and published several religious works. These included sermons (speeches given in church), prayers, and explanations of parts of the Bible. His writings often showed a "puritanic" style, meaning they focused on strict religious rules and beliefs.
It's possible he was related to a famous judge named Edmund Anderson, as he dedicated one of his books to him.
Here are some of his published works:
- An Exposition of the Hymne commonly called Benedictus, with an ample and comfortable application of the same to our age and people (1573–74)
- A Godlie Sermon, preached on New Yeares Day last before Sir William Fitzwilliam, Knt., late Deputie of Ireland, at Burghley. Hereto is added a very profitable Forme of Prayer, good for all such as passe the Seas (1576)
- A Sermon of Sure Comfort preached at the Funerall off Master Robert Keylwey, Esq., at Exton, in Rutland, the 18th of March 1580–1 (1581)
- A Sermon preached at Pauls Crosse, the 23rd of Aprile, being the Lords Day, called Sunday (1581)
- The Shield of oure Safetie, set foorth by the Faythfull Preacher of Gods holye Worde, Anthony Anderson, upon Symeons sight in hys Nunc Dimittis (1581)
- Godlye Prayers made by Anthonie Anderson (1591)
