Henry Wilkinson (1616–1690) facts for kids

Henry Wilkinson (born 1616, died 1690) was an English church leader and a smart university teacher. He was in charge of a place called Magdalen Hall, Oxford and taught about how people should live their lives as a White's Professor of Moral Philosophy. Later, he became an ejected minister, which meant he was forced to leave his church job.

Early Life and Education

Henry Wilkinson was born in a place called Adwick-le-Street in Yorkshire, England. His father, William Wilkinson, was a church leader there. It's believed that John Wilkinson, who was also a leader at Oxford University, was Henry's uncle.

Henry went to school in Oxford and then started at Magdalen Hall when he was 17 years old in 1634. He studied hard and earned his first university degree in 1635. He got his master's degree in 1638. After finishing his studies, he became a well-known tutor and a dean at his college.

The English Civil War and Oxford

When the First English Civil War started, Henry Wilkinson left Oxford. He decided to support the Parliament's side in the war. He even signed something called the Solemn League and Covenant, which was an agreement to support the Parliament and a certain type of church.

Because he was a good speaker, he became a popular preacher. In 1642, he started working as a minister in Buckminster, Leicestershire. The next year, in 1643, he became the vicar (a type of priest) in Epping, Essex.

Wilkinson's Role at Oxford University

After the war, in 1647, Henry Wilkinson was chosen to be one of the people who would visit and check on Oxford University for the Parliament. He continued to earn more degrees and important positions.

• In 1648, he became a Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.).
• He also became a fellow and vice-president at Magdalen College.
• Later that year, he was made the leader (Principal) of Magdalen Hall.
• In 1649, he became the White's Professor of Moral Philosophy, teaching students about ethics and good behavior.

Henry Wilkinson was a strong supporter of the Parliament. In 1649, he even hosted important leaders like Oliver Cromwell and Thomas Fairfax at Magdalen Hall. The next day, he preached a sermon to them and prayed for the army.

"Dean Harry" and Challenges

At Oxford, Henry Wilkinson was known as "Dean Harry." This helped people tell him apart from two other men named Henry Wilkinson who were alive at the same time.

After the Parliament's rule ended, things changed. In 1661, the new leader, Chancellor Hyde, visited Magdalen Hall. He was not happy with Wilkinson or his college. He said that the college had "factious" (troublemaking) people.

Ejection and Later Life

In 1662, a new law called the 1662 Act of Uniformity was passed. This law required church leaders to follow certain rules. Because Henry Wilkinson did not agree with these rules, he was "ejected" (forced out) from his job at Magdalen Hall. Even though some university leaders wanted him to stay because he was a good disciplinarian, he had to leave.

After being ejected, he preached for a short time back in Buckminster. Then he moved to Gosfield in Essex. For a few years, he seemed to have worked in the local church there. However, in 1671, he was called to court for not following the church's rules. He was later excommunicated, meaning he was officially removed from the church.

Continuing to Preach

In 1672, the government allowed some religious freedom. Henry Wilkinson got a license to be a Presbyterian teacher in Gosfield. He also got permission for his house to be a Presbyterian meeting place.

In 1673, he moved to a nearby town called Sible Hedingham. Here, his books were taken away because he refused to pay a fine for preaching without permission. In 1680, he moved to Great Cornard in Suffolk. He stayed there until he passed away on May 13, 1690. He was buried in a place called Milden.

Works

Henry Wilkinson wrote many sermons and other works, mostly in Latin. Some of his published works include:

• Conciones tres apud Academicos (Oxford, 1654)
• Brevis Tractatus de Jure Diei Dominicæ (Oxford, 1654)
• The Hope of Glory (Oxford, 1657)
• The Gospel Embassy (Oxford, 1658)
• De Impotentia Liberi Arbitrii ad bonum spirituale (Oxford, 1658)
• Three Decads of Sermons (Oxford, 1660)
• The Doctrine of Contentment briefly explained and practically applied (London, 1671)
• Two Treatises (London, 1681)

He also helped create a catalog of books for the Magdalen Hall library in 1661. He wrote introductions for books by Henry Hurst and Nicholas Clagett. He even wrote a poem that was added to the funeral sermon for Margaret Corbet, who was the daughter of Sir Nathaniel Brent.

Family

Henry Wilkinson was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Giffard, who passed away in 1654. His second wife was Anne Benson. He had children with both of his wives.