John Garnett (bishop) facts for kids
John Garnett (born 1707 or 1708, died 1782) was an English bishop of Clogher in the Church of Ireland. He was an important religious leader in Ireland during the 1700s.
Life Story
John Garnett was born in Lambeth, England, in either 1707 or 1708. His father, also named John Garnett, was a rector (a type of church leader) in Sigglesthorne, a village in Yorkshire. His family had a history of working in the church and as merchants.
John went to school in Beverley, Yorkshire. In 1725, he started studying at St John's College, Cambridge. Later, in 1728, he moved to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. He earned his first degree in 1729 and a master's degree in 1732. He became a fellow (a senior member) at Sidney Sussex College in 1730. From 1744 to 1752, he was a special preacher for the university.
In 1751, Garnett moved to Ireland. He became a chaplain (a priest who serves a specific group) to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who was Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset. The Lord Lieutenant was like the King's representative in Ireland.
In 1752, John Garnett became the Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin. A bishop is a high-ranking church official. In 1758, he moved to become the Bishop of Clogher. He stayed in this role until he died. In 1765, some people thought he might become the Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland), which is an even higher position. However, another person named Arthur Smyth got the job instead.
John Garnett passed away on March 1, 1782, at his home in Dublin. There is a special plaque in his memory at St Lawrence's Church in Sigglesthorne. You can also see a painting of him at St John's College, Cambridge.
Garnett married Dorothea, who was the youngest daughter of Sir Thomas Molyneux, 1st Baronet. His son, also named John Garnett, later became the dean of Exeter in 1810.
What People Thought of Him
John Garnett was known for helping other religious leaders. For example, he supported a clergyman named Philip Skelton. Skelton's biographer, Samuel Burdy, said that Garnett was "remarkable for promoting men distinguished for literary qualifications." This means Garnett liked to help people who were good at writing and studying.
Burdy also described Garnett as "a pious, humble, good-natured man." He said Garnett was "a generous encourager of literature" and kind to his staff. People who knew him thought highly of his good qualities. Another writer, Thomas Campbell, also wrote positive things about Garnett in his book from 1777.
His Writings
John Garnett wrote a few sermons, which are religious speeches. His most important work was a long book called Dissertation on the Book of Job. It was published in 1749 and had a second edition in 1752.
The book was dedicated to the Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle, who was a very important politician. Someone once joked that it was "a very proper book for the ante-chamber of a prime minister." This meant it was a serious book that might be found in the waiting room of an important person.
In his book, Garnett had an interesting idea about the book of Job from the Bible. He believed it was written during the time of the Babylonian captivity. He also thought that Job, the main character, represented the people of Israel who were being treated unfairly. This idea was quite new for a religious scholar in the 1700s.
