Thomas Archer (divine) facts for kids
Thomas Archer (born 1554, died around 1630) was an English clergyman. He was known for keeping detailed records of important people and his local area.
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Who Was Thomas Archer?
Thomas Archer was born on August 12, 1554, in a town called Bury St. Edmunds in England. He went to Trinity College, Cambridge, which is a famous university. While he was there, he became a "fellow," which means he was a senior member of the college.
Archer's Career as a Clergyman
After finishing his studies, Thomas Archer became a divine, which is another word for a clergyman or a religious leader in the Church of England.
- In 1584, he became a chaplain to his relative, Dr. John May, who was a bishop. A chaplain is like a personal priest or minister.
- In 1588, he was a public preacher at the university, sharing religious messages with many people.
- In 1589, he became the rector of two churches in Bedfordshire: Houghton Conquest and Houghton Gildable. A rector is the main priest in charge of a parish.
- Later, in 1599, he worked as a chaplain for Archbishop Whitgift, a very important leader in the Church of England.
- By 1605, he was one of the chaplains for King James I himself! This was a very important position.
His Final Resting Place
In 1623, Thomas Archer prepared a special burial place for himself inside the church at Houghton Conquest. Five years later, he even wrote his own epitaph, which is a message or poem written on a tombstone.
What Did Thomas Archer Write?
Thomas Archer was not just a clergyman; he was also a writer and a record-keeper.
- He kept a special book called an obituary. This book recorded information about important people who died during his lifetime.
- He also wrote a detailed account of the parish and area around Houghton Conquest. This included interesting facts and stories about the place where he lived and worked.
His Manuscripts and Legacy
Archer's writings were very valuable. Years later, in 1760, another clergyman named Dr. Zachary Grey lent Archer's manuscripts to a historian named William Cole. Cole thought Archer's collection was very interesting and important.
Thomas Archer is thought to have died around 1630. We know this because his obituary notes don't go past that year. William Cole also mentioned that Archer kept a personal diary filled with interesting stories and facts.
