Samuel Roffey Maitland facts for kids

Samuel Roffey Maitland (born 1792, died 1866) was an English historian. He wrote many books and articles about religion. He was also a priest in the Church of England. Besides that, he worked as a librarian, a lawyer, and an editor.

Early Life and Learning

Samuel Maitland was born in London on January 7, 1792. His father, Alexander Maitland, was a merchant from Scotland. His mother, Caroline Busby, came from a famous family. She owned land in Gloucestershire. Samuel's father was a presbyterian, but Samuel later joined the Church of England.

Samuel left school in 1807. He then studied with Rev. Launcelot Sharpe. In 1809, he joined St John's College, Cambridge. Around the same time, he started studying to become a lawyer at the Inner Temple. The next year, he moved to Trinity College, Cambridge. He left Cambridge in 1811 without finishing his degree. He did not want to sign the Thirty-nine Articles, which were rules for the Church of England.

In 1812, a man named Maxwell Garthshorne died. He left a huge library. Samuel helped sort out all the books. He got to keep the extra books for himself. From 1811 to 1815, Samuel lived with his father. He read many books and got ready to become a lawyer.

When he tried to become a lawyer, there was a problem. He had not spent enough time at Cambridge. So, in 1815, he went back to St John's College, Cambridge. He studied there for three more terms. During this time, he met Samuel Lee, who taught Arabic.

In 1816, Samuel lived in London and kept studying. He became a lawyer in the spring of 1816. On November 19, 1816, he got married. He loved books and writing more and more.

Becoming a Priest

Around 1817, Maitland left London and moved to Taunton. Over the next few years, his religious beliefs changed. On June 27, 1821, he became a deacon in the church. This happened in Norwich with Bishop Henry Bathurst. He worked as a helper priest in St. Edmund's church. The main priest was not there.

Maitland did not stay long in Norwich. He then became a full priest with Bishop Henry Ryder in Gloucester. His father had moved to Gloucester. On May 22, 1823, Samuel became the priest for Christ Church in Gloucester. This church had just been built.

Maitland stayed in Gloucester until the end of 1827. Then, he traveled to other countries. He was interested in helping Jewish people convert to Christianity. He wanted to see Jewish communities in Germany and Poland. He started his trip in April 1828. He traveled through France, Germany, and Prussia, all the way to Warsaw. He sent 36 letters home and learned German and Polish.

In 1838, Archbishop William Howley gave Maitland a special job. He became the librarian and keeper of old papers at Lambeth Palace. This job did not pay much. He also received a special degree called D.D. In 1848, Archbishop John Sumner took over. Maitland then went back to Gloucester. He did not have a church job there.

Later Life and Work

Maitland became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1839. This is a group for important scientists. When Hugh James Rose died that same year, Maitland became the editor of the British Magazine. He continued to edit it until 1849, when it stopped being published. After Rose's death, the magazine focused more on books and history.

Maitland had upset some religious groups. He criticized leaders of the Evangelical party. He also strongly disagreed with writers like Joseph Milner and John Foxe. He also made the Tractarians group suspicious of him. This was because of a letter he wrote in 1841.

After returning to Gloucester, Maitland lived a quiet life. He helped William Thoms start Notes and Queries. This was a magazine where people could ask and answer questions. Maitland often wrote for the early issues. Sometimes he used the name "Rufus."

Samuel Maitland had many talents. He was a musician and could draw well. He even had a small printing press at his house. He also tried binding books. Many historians were influenced by his work. These included Charles Hardwick and Frederic William Maitland.

Maitland died in Gloucester on January 19, 1866. He was 74 years old.

Important Writings

In 1817, Maitland published his first small book. It was called A Dissertation on the Primary Objects of Idolatrous Worship. In it, he disagreed with the ideas of Jacob Bryant. While he was traveling, he wrote A Letter to the Rev. Charles Simeon. In this letter, he suggested creating a safe place for Jewish people who converted to Christianity.

In 1826, Maitland wrote a book called An Enquiry into the Grounds on which the Prophetic Period of Daniel and St. John has been supposed to consist of 1260 Years. This book argued against a popular idea about Bible prophecies. This led to a long debate. One part of the debate was about the Albigenses and Waldenses. Were they Catholic or Protestant? Joseph Milner had said they were "Heavenly Witnesses" during the Middle Ages.

In 1832, Maitland published a long book. It was called Facts and Documents illustrative of the History, Doctrine, and Rites of the ancient Albigenses and Waldenses. In this book, Maitland seemed to look down on Milner's Church History. This made many people attack Maitland in print.

In 1835, Maitland started writing for the British Magazine. Hugh James Rose was the editor. They became good friends. Rose suggested that Maitland collect his articles into books. These became The Dark Ages: a Series of Essays... (1844) and Essays on Subjects connected with the Reformation in England (1849).

Some of Maitland's other works include:

• A Dissertation on the Primary Objects of Idolatrous Worship, 1817.
• An Enquiry into the Grounds on which the Prophetic Period of Daniel and St. John has been supposed to consist of 1,260 Years, 1826.
• Saint Bernard's Holy War Translated, 1827.
• A Letter to the Rev. Charles Simeon, 1828.
• An Attempt to elucidate the Prophecies concerning Antichrist, 1830.
• Eruvin, or Miscellaneous Essays on Subjects connected with the Nature, History, and Destiny of Man, 1831.
• The Voluntary System, 1834.
• A Letter to the Rev. Hugh James Rose, B.D., Chaplain to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, with Strictures on Milner's "Church History", 1834.
• A Review of Fox the Martyrologist's "History of the Waldenses", 1837.
• Six Letters on Fox's "Acts and Monuments", 1837.
• A Letter to a Friend on the "Tract for the Times No. 89", 1841.
• An Index of such English Books printed before the year MDC as are now in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, 1845.
• Essays on Subjects connected with the Reformation in England, 1849.
• Eight Essays on various Subjects, 1852.
• Superstition and Science: an Essay, 1855.
• Chatterton: an Essay, 1857.

He also wrote a poem called The Owl: a Didactic Poem in 1842. It was sold at a charity event.

Family Life

Maitland's wife, Selina, died before him. She was the daughter of Christopher Stephenson. His son, John Gorham Maitland, also died before him. Samuel's grandson was Frederic William Maitland (1850–1906). Frederic became a famous historian of English Law. He was greatly inspired by his grandfather.