Henry Jenkes facts for kids

Henry Jenkes (died 1697) was an important English scholar. He was a professor who taught about rhetoric, which is the art of speaking or writing effectively. He also studied at several famous universities.

The Life of Henry Jenkes

Henry Jenkes came from a family with roots in Prussia, but he was born in England. He started his education at King's College, Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1642. He earned his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree there in 1646.

After that, he joined Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in 1646. He received his M.A. degree from Cambridge in 1649. During a time of civil war in England, he became a fellow at Caius College, Cambridge. A "fellow" is like a senior member or teacher at a college.

In 1669, Henry Jenkes also received an M.A. degree from University of Oxford. This happened when the Sheldonian Theatre was opened there.

Professor and Scholar

On October 21, 1670, Jenkes was chosen to be the professor of rhetoric at Gresham College in London. He took over this role from Dr. William Croone. Gresham College was a place where public lectures were given to help educate people.

He was also elected as a fellow of the Royal Society on November 30, 1674. The Royal Society is a very old and respected group for scientists.

Jenkes left his professorship at Gresham College on October 2, 1676. After that, he lived only at Cambridge, supported by his fellowship at Caius College. He passed away in Cambridge at the end of August 1697. He was buried on September 1 in the church of St. Michael. This church is in the same area as Caius College.

Henry Jenkes also wrote letters to many smart people in Holland.

His Will

Henry Jenkes wrote his will on May 14, 1684. In his will, he left all his books and belongings to his friend James Halman. James Halman was also a fellow at Caius College. Halman was named as the only person to carry out Jenkes's wishes in his will.

Writings

Henry Jenkes wrote several books and manuscripts during his life:

• The Christian Tutor, or a Free and Rational Discourse of the Sovereign Good and Happiness of Man, published in London in 1683. This book talked about what makes people truly happy.
• De Natura et Constitutione Ethicæ, præsertim Christianæ, ejusque Usu et Studio, which was a text about Christian ethics. It was included at the beginning of another book, Stephani Curcellæi Synopsis ethices, published in London in 1684 and Cambridge in 1702.
• The Christian Dial.
• Rationale Biblicum, which was a manuscript. This means it was a handwritten text that was ready to be printed when he died.