Joseph Nicol Scott facts for kids

Joseph Nicol Scott (born around 1703, died 1769) was an English doctor, a religious leader who held different views from the main church, and a writer.

Early Life and Career

Joseph Nicol Scott was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, around 1703. He was the oldest son of Thomas Scott, who was a religious leader for a group called the Independents. His father first served in Hitchin and later in Norwich. Joseph also had a half-brother named Daniel Scott, and a brother and sister named Thomas and Elizabeth Scott.

Around 1725, Joseph started helping his father at the Old Meeting church in Norwich. However, his religious beliefs began to change. By 1737 or 1738, his new ideas were different from the church's teachings, so he was asked to leave.

A New Path

After leaving the Old Meeting, Joseph's friends in Norwich helped him start giving Sunday talks at the French church, St Mary the Less. Many people came to listen at first, even those from the Church of England. But by 1743, these talks were no longer happening.

Medical Studies and Later Life

Scott then decided to study medicine. He went to Edinburgh and became a doctor in 1744. For several years, he worked as a doctor in Norwich. A man named John Reynolds, who admired Scott, left him an estate (a large property) in Felsted, Essex. Joseph Nicol Scott moved there and lived out his days. He passed away on December 23, 1769.

A special monument was placed in the Old Meeting in Norwich to remember him. A sad poem called The Gracious Warning was written about his death by George Wright and published in 1774.

What He Wrote

Joseph Nicol Scott published several works during his life.

Sermons and Ideas

In 1743, he published a two-volume set of Sermons … in defence of all Religion … Natural or Revealed. One of these sermons discussed "the Mahometan Revelation," which refers to the teachings of Islam. In other sermons, he shared some unique religious ideas that were different from common beliefs at the time.

Translating Homer

He also published An Essay towards a Translation of Homer's Works in Blank Verse, with Notes in 1755. This book contained his own version of thirteen passages from the famous ancient Greek poem, the Iliad.

Helping with a Dictionary

Joseph Scott also helped revise a well-known book called the English Dictionary by Nathan Bailey. He checked and updated the word origins (etymologies) that came from classic and oriental languages for a new edition published in 1755.

His Family

Joseph Scott's wife was named Martha Bell. She passed away in Aylsham, Norfolk, in 1799, when she was 87 years old.