Henry Bourne facts for kids

Henry Bourne (born around 1694 – died 1733) was an English historian. People remember him for two main things. First, his book Antiquitates Vulgares (published in 1725) was one of the first books to study folklore. Second, he wrote a very detailed history of his hometown, Newcastle upon Tyne, which came out after he died in 1736.

Henry Bourne was born in Newcastle. His father, Thomas Bourne, was a tailor. Henry was baptized on December 16, 1694. At first, his father wanted him to become a glazier, someone who works with glass. But Henry was very smart and showed a lot of promise. So, he was sent to the Royal Free Grammar School in Newcastle. He did very well there and eventually won a scholarship to Cambridge University. He studied under Reverend Mr. Thomas Atherton, who was also from Newcastle.

In 1724, Henry Bourne became a curate at All Hallows Church in Newcastle. He stayed in this job until he passed away in 1733.

Henry Bourne's Important Books

In 1725, Bourne published his most famous book, Antiquitates Vulgares, or, Antiquities of the Common People. This book recorded many old customs and traditions from England. His goal was to figure out which customs were good to keep and which ones should be stopped or changed.

His very large and complete history of Newcastle was not quite finished when he died on February 16, 1733. The book was published after his death in 1736. Its full title was The History of Newcastle upon Tyne, or the Ancient and Present State of that Town.