John Conant facts for kids
John Conant (born October 18, 1608 – died March 12, 1694) was an important English church leader and thinker. He held big jobs like Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Later, he became an archdeacon of Norwich, which is a senior church position.
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Early Life and Education
John Conant was born in Yettington, Bicton, in Devon, England. He was the oldest son of Robert Conant and Elizabeth Morris.
He first went to school in Ilchester, Somerset. Later, he was taught by a schoolmaster named Thomas Branker. His uncle John, who was a church leader in Limington, Somerset, also helped teach him.
In 1627, his uncle took him to Oxford. John Conant started studying at Exeter College, Oxford on February 18. His tutor there was Lawrence Bodley, whose uncle helped create the famous Bodleian Library.
John Conant was very good at languages. He quickly learned Greek and could even debate in it. He also became skilled in Hebrew, Syriac, and Arabic. His teachers noticed his talent. One of them, John Prideaux, said that nothing seemed difficult for him.
John Conant earned his first degree (Bachelor of Arts) on May 26, 1631. He got his second degree (Master of Arts) on January 12, 1634. In 1632, he was chosen to be a special student at Exeter College. The next year, he became a fellow, which is like a senior member of the college. He became a deacon (a church minister) and taught students until 1642.
Leaving Oxford During the Civil War
In 1642, the English Civil War started. This made things difficult in Oxford, and John Conant had to leave. He lost many valuable books that he never got back.
He planned to join his uncle in Limington. But when he arrived, his uncle, who supported the Parliament, had already gone to London. His uncle gave a speech to the British House of Commons in 1643, asking them to improve the church. He was also part of the Westminster assembly, a group that discussed church matters.
John Conant stayed in Limington for a while, preaching and helping with church duties. But soldiers who supported the King (called royalists) made it unsafe for him. So, he joined his uncle in London. There, he helped his uncle at the church of St Botolph's, Aldersgate.
He then moved in with the family of Lord and Lady Chandos in Harefield, Middlesex. He worked as their chaplain, which means he was their personal minister. Lady Chandos gave him £80 a year. He used much of this money to help poor people in the area. He gave them Bibles and helped pay for their schooling.
For several years, he also gave a special lecture every weekday in nearby Uxbridge. In 1645, he was offered a church job in Whimple, Devon, but he turned it down.
In 1647, college fellows were asked to sign a special agreement called the Solemn League and Covenant. John Conant refused to sign it. He wrote a letter from Harefield on September 27, 1647, giving up his fellowship at Exeter College.
Rector of Exeter College
In 1649, the leader of Exeter College, George Hakewill, passed away. Most of the fellows wanted John Conant's uncle to take the job. But his uncle wanted to stay at his church in Salisbury. He encouraged his nephew, John, to take the position instead.
John Conant was elected as the new Rector on June 7, 1649. He officially started the job on June 29, 1649. At this time, college members had to promise loyalty to the Parliament by "taking the engagement". John Conant did this, but he also told the officials that it didn't stop him from supporting any future government God might put in charge. He also said it didn't mean he agreed with everything the government had done.
Leading Exeter College
John Conant quickly started his new duties. He was an excellent choice for Rector. He found that the college needed better rules and was deeply in debt. He fixed both problems. He made sure everyone followed the college rules strictly. He also attended academic events and daily prayers. He taught the college staff about religious topics.
He taught students weekly, explaining why certain ideas were wrong. He used important religious books for his lessons. For older students, he led studies on parts of the Bible that talk about the future. He used a book that said the Pope was the "antichrist."
John Conant's leadership style attracted many students, even some from other countries. On May 31, 1654, he earned his highest degree, a DD.
While he was Rector of Exeter College, John Conant also preached regularly at three nearby churches. For over ten years, he preached every Friday morning at All Saints' Church, starting at seven o'clock. He taught a complete set of religious ideas to his listeners. He also preached almost every Sunday at St Michael's for several years. And he preached at St Mary Magdalen's every other Sunday for half of each year.
He also preached often as the vicar of Kidlington, near Oxford. This job was connected to being Rector of Exeter. He did turn down another church job in Ewelme, Oxfordshire, which was also linked to the college.
Family Life
In August 1651, John Conant married Elizabeth Reynolds (who died in 1707). She was the youngest daughter of Edward Reynolds, a church leader in Braunston, Northamptonshire. John and Elizabeth had twelve children together: six sons and six daughters.
Professor of Divinity
In October 1652, John Conant became a minister in Salisbury. In September 1654, he was named the Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford. This was a very important teaching position. He gave lectures twice a week for this job. His lectures were based on the Bible notes of Hugo Grotius. Grotius's work on languages was admired, even by those who disagreed with his religious views.
In 1657, Oliver Cromwell gave John Conant money from a church in Abergele, Wales. This was to make up for money missing from his professor's salary. John Conant gave much of this money to the local minister and to the poor people of the area. He never published any of his religious lectures. Later, he even destroyed his notes for them.
Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University
Shortly after Richard Cromwell became the leader (chancellor) of Oxford University, he chose John Conant as Vice-Chancellor. This happened on October 9, 1657. Records show that John Conant was already handling payments to the university by 1654.
As Vice-Chancellor, John Conant brought back many old traditions. For example, he made students wear their caps and hoods again. His predecessor, John Owen, had thought these were too old-fashioned.
In 1659, he went to London with Seth Ward and John Wilkins. They helped stop a plan to give a special university charter to Durham College. He worked to improve discipline throughout the entire university, just as he had done at Exeter College. In 1659, he was very important in getting the huge library of John Selden for the Bodleian Library.
On June 8, 1676, he was appointed archdeacon of Norwich. This is a senior position in the church.
Later Years and Legacy
People who knew John Conant described him as thin and short. In 1686, he became completely blind. He passed away on March 12, 1694. He was buried in the rebuilt All Saints' Church, Northampton. There is a monument and a special message in Latin to remember him.
