Foote Gower facts for kids

Foote Gower (born around 1726, died 1780) was an interesting English person. He was a cleric (meaning a church leader), an academic (someone who studied and taught at a university), and an antiquarian (someone who loved studying old things and history).

About Foote Gower's Life

Foote Gower was born in Chester, England, around 1726. His father was also named Foote Gower and was a doctor. Young Foote Gower went to Brasenose College, Oxford University when he was 18. He earned several degrees there, including a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in 1747 and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in 1750. He also earned medical degrees, an M.B. in 1755 and an M.D. in 1757. In 1750, he became a Fellow of his college, which is a special academic position.

It's not clear if he worked as a doctor. However, he did work as a church leader. He was the rector (a type of priest) for churches in Chignal St James and Mashbury, near Chelmsford in Essex. He held these positions from 1761 until about 1777. He also served at a church in Woodham Walter.

Gower was very interested in history. He hired an artist named Joseph Strutt to create pictures of ancient Roman objects. In 1768, he became a member of the Society of Antiquaries of London. This group is dedicated to studying old things and history. He was also good friends with another famous historian, Richard Gough. Foote Gower passed away in Bath, Somerset on May 27, 1780.

Foote Gower's Historical Work

Foote Gower spent a lot of time collecting information for a history book about Cheshire. In 1771, he printed a short book called Sketch of the Materials for a new History of Cheshire. This book was written as a letter to Thomas Falconer. It was signed by "a Fellow of the Antiquary Society" and was printed again in 1772.

He also gathered information for a history book about Essex. In addition, he worked on a new version of Britannia Romana, a book about Roman Britain by John Horsley.

What Happened to His Work

After Foote Gower died, his many papers and notes were passed on. Later, two people named Dr. J. Wilkinson and William Latham continued his work. In 1800, they republished his Sketch book with more information added.

Eventually, Gower's original papers were sold. Some of them went to the British Museum, and others went to the Bodleian Library at Oxford University.

In the long run, Foote Gower's detailed notes helped future historians. For example, George Ormerod used Gower's work a lot when writing his own history of Cheshire. Ormerod got in touch with William Latham, who had worked on Gower's papers.

Foote Gower's Family

Foote Gower married Elizabeth, who was the sister of John Strutt. John Strutt was a Member of Parliament for Maldon. Foote and Elizabeth had four children:

• Thomas Foote Gower (1763-1849) became a vicar (a type of priest) at Great Totham.
• Elizabeth lived with her brother Thomas for many years.
• Charles Gower (died 1822) was a doctor and wrote a book called Hints and Auxiliaries to Medicine.
• Richard Hall Gower (1768–1833) was famous for designing ships.

Images for kids

• 

  Foote Gower, engraving after John Taylor (1739–1838)