James Henthorn Todd facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Henthorn Todd
Born	(1805-04-23)23 April 1805 Rathfarnham, Ireland
Died	28 June 1869(1869-06-28) (aged 64) Rathfarnham, Ireland
Occupation	Writer Academic Historian Minister
Nationality	Irish
Alma mater	Trinity College, Dublin
Subject	liberal Protestantism, Irish history
Notable works	St. Patrick, Apostle to Ireland; The War of the Gaedhil With the Gaill
Relatives	Charles Hawkes Todd (father) Robert Bentley Todd (brother)

James Henthorn Todd (born April 23, 1805 – died June 28, 1869) was an important Irish scholar, teacher, and historian. He was known for trying to solve religious disagreements using facts from history. He also believed in a more open and understanding type of Protestantism. Besides his teaching, he was a great librarian and an expert in Irish history.

Growing Up and Early Studies

James Henthorn Todd was born on April 23, 1805. His father, Charles Hawkes Todd, was a surgery professor, and his mother was Eliza Bentley. James was the oldest of fifteen children! His younger brothers included famous doctor Robert Bentley Todd, William Gowan Todd, and Armstrong Todd.

James went to Trinity College, Dublin. He earned his first degree in 1825. Sadly, his father died a year later. This made it harder for James to find a good job. However, he managed to stay at the college by tutoring students. He also helped edit a church magazine.

A Life in Academia

Regent House at Trinity College, where James Todd worked.

In 1829, James won an award for his studies. Two years later, he was chosen as a Fellow at Trinity College. This meant he was a senior member of the college staff. He also became a deacon, which is a step towards becoming a priest.

From 1831 until 1850, James was one of the most popular tutors at Trinity College Dublin. He helped many students with their studies.

Religious Work and Writings

In 1832, James became a priest. He started writing many articles and books. These included papers about John Wycliffe, who was an important religious reformer. He also wrote about church history and big religious questions of his time.

From 1838 to 1839, he gave special lectures called the Donnellan Lectures. In these talks, he shared his ideas about religious topics. He disagreed with some people who had very strong, negative views about Roman Catholicism. In 1840, he earned his Doctor of Divinity degree, which is a very high academic honor in theology.

Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, where James Todd served.

In 1837, James became the Treasurer at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. This is a very old and important church in Dublin. Later, in 1864, he became the Precentor, which meant he was in charge of the music and services there. People said his sermons were clear and interesting.

In 1843, James helped start Saint Columba's College, Dublin. This school taught students who wanted to become priests. It also promoted the Irish language and the beliefs of the Church of Ireland.

Exploring Irish History

James Todd was very interested in Irish history. In 1840, he helped create the Irish Archaeological Society. This group worked to study and protect old Irish sites and artifacts. He was also its honorary secretary.

He became a member of the Royal Irish Academy. This is a group of top scholars in Ireland. James worked hard to find and copy old Irish writings from libraries in other countries. He was the honorary secretary of the Academy from 1847 to 1855. Then, he became its president from 1856 to 1861. In 1860, he received an honorary degree from University of Oxford in England.

Leading the Library and Research

In 1849, James became the Regius Professor of Hebrew at Trinity College. This was a very important teaching position. The next year, he became a Senior Fellow.

In 1852, he was made the college Librarian. He worked with other famous scholars, John O'Donovan and Eugene O'Curry. Together, they organized and cataloged the college's huge collection of old manuscripts. James used any money his office received to buy more old writings and rare books. Thanks to his efforts, Trinity College Library became one of the best libraries in Europe.

James also helped start the Brehon Law Commission in 1852. This group worked to study and publish ancient Irish laws, known as Brehon Laws. He worked with Charles Graves on this important project. Other members included Edwin Wyndham-Quin and artist Sir George Petrie. O'Donovan and O'Curry also worked for this commission.

James Todd was highly respected for his work. He had many friends who were also important scholars and public figures. These included lawyer and poet Sir Samuel Ferguson and historian William Reeves.

Later Life and Legacy

James Henthorn Todd passed away at his home in Rathfarnham on June 28, 1869. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Patrick's Cathedral, where he had served for many years. His work greatly helped people understand Irish history and culture better.

See also