John Duncombe (writer) facts for kids

John Duncombe (born September 29, 1729 – died January 19, 1786) was an English clergyman and writer. He was known for his poems and writings about history. He also contributed to a famous magazine called Gentleman's Magazine using the pen name Crito. One of his most famous poems was The Feminead, which celebrated British women poets. He was married to the poet Susanna Duncombe.

Life of John Duncombe

John Duncombe was born in London on September 29, 1729. He was the only child of author William Duncombe and his wife Elizabeth. John went to school in Essex before attending Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 1745.

He earned his first degree in 1748 and a master's degree in 1752. Later, he became a fellow at his college, which means he was a senior member of the academic staff. In 1753, he became a priest at Kew Chapel.

Thanks to a recommendation from Archbishop Thomas Herring, John Duncombe became a curate (an assistant priest) in Sundridge, Kent. He then worked as an assistant preacher at St Anne's Church, Soho in London.

He also served as a chaplain (a minister for a specific group or institution) for important people like Samuel Squire, the bishop of St David's, and John Boyle, 5th Earl of Cork. In 1757, Archbishop Herring helped him get two church positions in Canterbury.

Later, he became one of the Six Preachers at Canterbury Cathedral. In 1773, he received another church position in Herne, near Canterbury. The archbishop also made him the master of St John's Hospital, Canterbury, and gave him another chaplaincy. This allowed him to hold his two church positions at the same time.

John Duncombe passed away in Canterbury on January 19, 1786, and was buried there.

Family Life

In 1761, John Duncombe married Susanna Highmore. She was a childhood friend and a talented poet and artist herself. John and Susanna had one daughter. Susanna and their daughter survived him after his death.

John Duncombe's Writings

John Duncombe wrote many different kinds of works, including poems and historical books.

Famous Poems

Some of his best-known poems include:

• An Evening's Contemplation in a College (1753): This poem was a playful imitation of a famous poem by Thomas Gray.
• The Feminead (1754): This work celebrated the achievements of British women poets.
• Translations from Horace (1766–67): These were his translations of works by the ancient Roman poet Horace.

He also wrote many shorter poems for special occasions, like On a Lady sending the Author a Ribbon for his Watch.

Historical and Other Writings

As an antiquarian (someone who studies old things and history), he wrote several historical works:

• Historical Description of Canterbury Cathedral (1772): A book describing the famous Canterbury Cathedral.
• A shorter translation of John Battely's Antiquities of Richborough and Reculver (1774): This book was about ancient sites.
• History and Antiquities of Reculver and Herne: These were contributions to a larger historical collection by John Nichols.

He also edited and published letters and works by other important people:

• Letters from Italy by John Boyle, 5th Earl of Cork (1773–74).
• Letters by several Eminent Persons deceased, including the Correspondence of J. Hughes, Esq. (1773).
• Letters from the late Archbishop Herring to William Duncombe, Esq., deceased (1777).
• Select Works of the Emperor Julian (1784).

Besides these, he also published several sermons (religious speeches).