John Covel facts for kids
John Covel (born April 2, 1638 – died December 19, 1722) was a clever clergyman and scientist. He became the head of Christ's College, Cambridge, and also served as the vice-chancellor of the University. This means he was a very important leader at the university.
John Covel's Early Life and Diplomatic Role
John Covel was born in a place called Horningsheath in Suffolk. His father was William Covel. John went to school in Bury St Edmunds and then studied at Christ's College, Cambridge. He became a fellow there in 1659.
In 1670, John Covel traveled to Constantinople (which is now Istanbul, Turkey). He went there to work as a Chaplain to the Levant Company. A chaplain is like a priest or minister who serves a group of people. The Levant Company was a trading company. For two years, he was in charge of the English Embassy in Constantinople. This happened after the previous ambassador passed away. An embassy is like an official office for a country in another land.
Travels and Discoveries of John Covel
Covel traveled a lot in a region called Asia Minor. This area is mostly modern-day Turkey. He wrote about the old buildings and different plants he saw there. He also bought many old Greek manuscripts. These were ancient handwritten books. Some of the important ones he bought include Minuscule 65, Minuscule 110, Minuscule 321, Minuscule 322, and Lectionary 150.
After his travels, Covel returned home. He spent the winter of 1680 and 1681 in Suffolk, where he was sick with a fever. Later, from 1681 to 1685, he became a chaplain to the Princess of Orange in The Hague, Netherlands.
In 1688, John Covel was chosen to be the 15th Master of Christ's College. This was a very important leadership role at the college. He kept this position until 1723. In his later years, Covel also helped to grow the study of fossils. Fossils are the remains or traces of ancient life preserved in rock.
