John Leng (bishop) facts for kids

John Leng (born in 1665, died in 1727) was an important English church leader and a smart scholar. He became the bishop of Norwich in 1723.

John Leng's Early Life and Career

John Leng was born in Thornton le Dale, a small village near Pickering in Yorkshire. He started his education at St. Paul's School in London. Later, he received a special scholarship to attend Catharine Hall, Cambridge, which is part of Cambridge University.

He joined the university in 1683 as a "sizar." This meant he paid less for his education by doing certain tasks for the college. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1686. He continued his studies and earned more advanced degrees in the following years.

In 1688, he was chosen to be a fellow of his college. A fellow is a senior member who helps run the college and teaches. John Leng became well-known as a tutor and for his excellent knowledge of Latin. In 1701, he gave a sermon when his college's new chapel was officially opened.

In 1708, he became the rector (the main priest) of Beddington, Surrey. He was able to keep this position even after taking on other important roles later in his life.

Becoming a Bishop

John Leng gave a series of important talks called the Boyle Lectures in 1717 and 1718. These lectures were published later and focused on why people should believe in religion and divine revelation.

He also became a chaplain (a special priest) to King George I. In 1723, he was chosen to become the bishop of Norwich. He was officially made a bishop on November 3, 1723, in Lambeth.

He served as bishop for only about three years. John Leng died in London in 1727 from small-pox. He caught the illness while attending the coronation of King George II. He was buried in St. Margaret's, Westminster, where a special memorial was placed to remember him.

John Leng's Published Works

John Leng was also a writer and editor. In 1695, he published two plays by the ancient Greek writer Aristophanes. These plays were called Plutus and Nubes. He included his own Latin translation with the plays.

In 1701, he edited a special Cambridge edition of the works of Terence, an ancient Roman playwright. He also added a detailed essay about the way Terence's plays were written. He also worked on a revised version of Sir Roger L'Estrange's translation of De Officiis, a famous work by the Roman philosopher Cicero.

Besides these works, John Leng published fourteen individual sermons. These were talks he gave on important public occasions. One of these sermons was given in 1718 before the Society for the Reformation of Manners, a group that worked to improve public behavior. His Boyle Lectures were so popular that they were printed a second time.

Family Life

John Leng was married twice. He did not have any children with his first wife. With his second wife, Elizabeth, who was the daughter of a Mr. Hawes from Sussex, he had two daughters named Elizabeth and Susanna.