Edward Jacob (antiquary) facts for kids
Edward Jacob (1713–1788) was an important English man from Kent. He was a naturalist, which means he studied nature. He was also an antiquary, someone who loved to study old things and history. Edward Jacob also served as the mayor of Faversham several times.
Edward Jacob's Life
Edward Jacob was born in 1713. His father, also named Edward Jacob, was a surgeon and was the mayor of Canterbury in 1727. When Edward Jacob was 15, in 1728, he began learning to be a surgeon from his father. This is called an apprenticeship.
After finishing his training in 1735, he became a freeman of Canterbury. This was a special honor. In the same year, he moved to Faversham in Kent. There, he started his own practice as a surgeon.
A Man of Many Interests
Edward Jacob was very curious and had many hobbies. He was an antiquary, meaning he studied old objects and history. He was also a bibliophile, someone who loves and collects books. He was a scientist, a botanist (someone who studies plants), and he collected fossils.
He wrote several important papers and books. In 1774, he published Plantae Favershemiensis, which was about plants found in Faversham. In 1777, his book History of the Town and Port of Faversham came out.
Edward Jacob also republished an old play from the 1500s called Arden of Faversham. He was the first person to suggest that the famous writer William Shakespeare might have helped write it! In 1755, he was chosen to join the Society of Antiquaries, a group for people who study old things.
Serving as Mayor
Edward Jacob was a respected member of his community. He was elected mayor of Faversham four times. He served as mayor in 1749, 1754, 1765, and 1775. His work as a surgeon must have been very successful. He was able to buy three large properties in Kent:
- The manor of Nutts in Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey (bought in 1752)
- The manor of Cades in Ospringe near Faversham (bought in 1757)
- The manor of Nackington alias Sextries in Canterbury (bought in 1763)
Edward Jacob's Family
Edward Jacob was married twice. His first wife was Margaret Rigden. They married on September 4, 1739. Margaret was from Canterbury. She passed away in 1749.
Later, Edward married Mary Long. She was the daughter of Captain Stephen Long from Sandwich. Edward and Mary had eight children together. Five of their children lived to be adults.
Edward's oldest son, also named Edward, continued his father's surgery practice in Faversham. Edward Jacob is the ancestor of many well-known people. These include:
- Brigadier General John Jacob, who founded the city of Jacobabad
- Major-General Sir George Le Grand Jacob
- Edgar Jacob, who became a bishop
- Field Marshal Sir Claud Jacob
- Lt-General Sir Ian Jacob, who was in charge of the BBC and worked with Winston Churchill during World War II
- Gordon Jacob, a famous composer
- Ernest Fraser Jacob, a historian
