Anthony Farmer facts for kids

Anthony Farmer (born in 1657) was an Englishman who was chosen by King James II to be the leader of Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1687.

Who Was Anthony Farmer?

Anthony Farmer was born in 1657. He went to St John's College, Cambridge, in 1672. Later, in 1675, he moved to Trinity College, Cambridge.

The King's Choice for Magdalen College

Farmer helped King James II during a conflict called the Monmouth Rebellion. Because of this, King James II wanted Farmer to become the President of Magdalen College. The King made this official on April 5, 1687.

However, there was a big problem. Farmer was not a member of Magdalen College. Many people also believed he was secretly a Roman Catholic. The Fellows (teachers and leaders) of the College did not agree with the King's choice. They rejected Farmer's appointment.

Why This Caused Problems

The King's attempt to appoint Farmer and the College's refusal caused a lot of tension. It was one of many events that led to the Glorious Revolution in 1688. This was a major change in England's history.

The academics at the College, led by Dr. Henry Fairfax, were very concerned about Farmer's character. They felt he was not suitable for such an important role. Instead, they chose Dr. John Hough to be the President.

John Hough was a respected academic. He was also an Anglican, which was the main church in England. The Fellows of the College liked him a lot. Traditionally, the Fellows were the ones who chose new leaders for the College. Hough also disagreed with Catholicism and the idea of a king having total power (absolutism).

Concerns About Farmer's Character

One person who spoke against Farmer was William Levett. He was a Doctor of Divinity and a leader at Magdalen Hall, Oxford. Levett said that Farmer often caused arguments and trouble among people. He described Farmer as having a "troublesome" personality. Levett stated that he received "frequent complaints" about Farmer creating problems.