John Asgill facts for kids

John Asgill (born March 25, 1659 – died November 10, 1738) was a unique English writer and politician. He was known for his interesting ideas and his journey through law and politics.

John Asgill: A Unique Thinker and Politician

Early Life and Law Career

John Asgill grew up attending Nonconformist church services. These were Protestant groups that did not follow the official Church of England. Later, he decided to study law at the Middle Temple in 1686. He became a lawyer, or was "called to the bar", in 1692.

In 1695, Asgill started a special kind of bank with Nicholas Barbon. It was called a land bank. This bank used land as a way to lend money. It was quite successful at first. In 1696, it even joined with another land bank. However, the bank's success did not last, and it closed down in 1699.

A Surprising Book and Political Journey

In 1699, John Asgill was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bramber in England. The next year, in 1700, he published a pamphlet (a small book) called An Argument Proving, that … Man may be Translated. This book tried to argue that Christians might not have to die.

Asgill was very surprised by the strong reaction to his book. Many people were upset by his ideas. Because of this, he was removed from the Irish House of Commons in 1703. This happened soon after he had been elected as an MP for Enniscorthy in Ireland. He had moved to Ireland because there was a lot of legal work for lawyers there at the time.

Challenges and Later Life

Even though he was in Ireland, John Asgill was re-elected to the English House of Commons for Bramber in 1702. So, he moved back to England.

In 1707, Asgill faced financial difficulties and was held at Fleet Prison because he owed money. He tried to use his parliamentary immunity to be released. This means that members of parliament are sometimes protected from arrest while parliament is meeting. After some discussion, the House of Commons agreed, and he was released.

However, just two days after his release, he was removed from the Commons. This was because of the controversial book he had written earlier.

After this, John Asgill continued to face tough times. He spent the rest of his life moving between the Fleet prison and the King's Bench, which was another place for people who owed money. Despite his challenges, he never stopped writing pamphlets and sharing his ideas.