Thomas Gisborne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Gisborne
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Detail from 1786 Joseph Wright painting
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| Born | 31 October 1758 Bridge Gate, Derby
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| Died | 24 March 1846 (aged 87) |
| Education | Harrow and entered St John's College |
| Occupation | divine |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Babington |
| Children | eight |
| Parent(s) | John and Ann Gisborne |
Thomas Gisborne (born October 31, 1758 – died March 24, 1846) was an English priest and poet. He was an important member of a group called the Clapham Sect. This group worked hard to end the slave trade in England.
Contents
Thomas Gisborne's Life
Thomas Gisborne was born in Derby, England. His father was John Gisborne, and his mother was Anne Bateman.
Early Education and Friendships
Thomas went to Harrow School for his education. Later, in 1776, he went to St John's College at the University of Cambridge. There, he became close friends with William Wilberforce and Thomas Babington. These friendships lasted his whole life. In 1780, he won a special award at Cambridge called the Chancellor's medal.
Family Life and Home
In 1783, Thomas Gisborne became a curate, which is a type of priest, in a place called Barton-under-Needwood. Later that year, he inherited Yoxall Lodge in Staffordshire. This home was only three miles from his church.
The next year, he married Mary Babington. She was the only sister of his friend, Thomas Babington. Thomas and Mary had eight children together, six sons and two daughters. Their oldest son, Thomas Gisborne, later became a member of parliament. One of their other sons, James, became a clergyman and took over his father's church duties in 1820.
Fighting for Change: The Clapham Sect
Thomas Gisborne was a key person in the Clapham Sect. This was a group of people who wanted to end the slave trade. His friends, William Wilberforce and Thomas Babington, were also part of this group. Yoxall Lodge, Thomas Gisborne's home, was a main meeting place for the Clapham Sect. William Wilberforce often visited there.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1823, Thomas Gisborne was given an important position at Durham Cathedral. He passed away at Yoxall Lodge on March 24, 1846, when he was 87 years old. Thomas Gisborne left money to create a scholarship at the University of Durham. This scholarship is still known as the Gisborne Scholarship today.
Thomas Gisborne's Writings
Thomas Gisborne wrote several books and poems. His writings often shared his strong beliefs about morality and duty.
Moral Philosophy and Duties
One of his important books was Principles of Moral Philosophy (1789). In this book, he shared his views on what is right and wrong. He also wrote Enquiry into the Duties of Men (1795) and Enquiry into the Duties of the Female Sex (1797). These books talked about the responsibilities people had in society.
Poetry and Nature
Gisborne also wrote poetry. His book Walks in a Forest (1794) was a collection of poems. These poems described the beautiful scenery of Needwood Forest, which was near his home at Yoxall.
Views on Geology
Thomas Gisborne was a "scriptural geologist." This means he believed that the study of geology should be based on the Bible. He wrote two books that disagreed with new ideas in geology that did not follow the Bible. These books were Testimony of Natural Theology to Christianity (1818) and Considerations on Modern Theories of Geology (1837).
Published Works
- Principles of Moral Philosophy (1789)
- Remarks Respecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade (1792)
- Walks in a Forest (1794)
- An Enquiry into the Duties of Men in the Higher and Middle Classes of Society" in Great Britain (1794)
- An Enquiry into the Duties of the Female Sex (1797)
- Poems Sacred and Moral (1798)
- A Selection of Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use, with Jonathan Stubbs (1805)
- Sermons Volume 1 (1809)
- A Familiar Survey of the Christian Religion and of History (1810)
- Testimony of Natural Theology to Christianity (1818)
- Essays on Recollection of Friends in a Future State (1822)
- Considerations on Modern Theories of Geology (1837)
Hymns
- A Soldier's Course from Battles Won
- Hark! 'Tis the Bell with Solemn Toll
- O Father, Glorify Thy Name
- Saviour, When Night Involves the Skies
- Thy Humblest Works with Full Accord
- When Groves by Moonlight Silence Keep
