Thomas Hayter facts for kids

Thomas Hayter (1702 – 9 January 1762) was an English church leader and politician. He served as a Church of England bishop for 13 years. He was also a chaplain to the King.

Hayter was a strong supporter of a political group called the Pelhamites. He was also a friend of the Duke of Newcastle. This helped him become very powerful in the 1750s. People knew him as a smart and tolerant scholar. His close ties to the royal family helped him gain influence.

Who Was Thomas Hayter?

Early Life and Education

Thomas Hayter was born in 1702 in Chagford, Devon. His official father was George Hayter. Some people thought that Archbishop Lancelot Blackburne was his father. However, there is no clear proof of this. Blackburne did leave a large part of his money to Hayter.

Hayter went to Blundell's School in Tiverton. He then studied at Balliol College, Oxford starting in 1720. He earned his first degree there in 1724. Later, he got more degrees from Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

A Career in the Church

Hayter became a deacon and priest in 1727. He worked as a private chaplain for Archbishop Lancelot Blackburne. Over the years, he held many important church jobs. These included Prebendary of York and Archdeacon of York. He also served as a Chaplain to the King from 1734.

His many roles in the church showed he was set for high positions. He became the Bishop of Norwich in 1749. He held this role until 1761. In 1750, he was also chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group of important scientists.

Helping the Royal Family

In 1751, Hayter was chosen for a very important job. He became the tutor to Prince George. This prince would later become George III, the King. Hayter was picked after the death of Prince George's father, Frederick, Prince of Wales.

The Duke of Newcastle, a friend, thought Hayter was "sensible and well-bred." Hayter's teachings were seen as supporting the King's government. Some people, like the writer Horace Walpole, criticized him. They thought he was making the prince too conservative. But Hayter remained popular at court. The Gentleman's Magazine praised his work with Prince George.

Views and Beliefs

Hayter was known for his open-minded views. He spoke out against treating poor people badly. He also encouraged people to be moderate in their lives. He supported wider acceptance of certain marriage rules.

In the House of Lords, Hayter took a surprisingly liberal stand. He supported the Jewish Naturalisation bill. This bill would have allowed Jewish people to become British citizens more easily. For this, he faced criticism in York.

In 1758, Hayter gave a famous sermon in London. He spoke about how to treat patients at the Foundling Hospital. This hospital cared for abandoned children.

Founding a Hospital

Hayter was interested in helping people's health. In 1758, he asked a famous surgeon, Benjamin Gooch, for help. He wanted Gooch to visit London's big hospitals. Hayter's goal was to build a general hospital in Norfolk and Norwich.

After Bishop Hayter died in 1762, his friend William Fellowes continued the plan. The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital was finally founded in 1771.

Later Life and Death

Hayter became the Bishop of London on September 19, 1761. He was also made a Privy Councillor that same year. This meant he was an important advisor to the King.

He was chosen for the Bishop of London role by Lord Talbot. Hayter was officially ordained as Bishop of London on October 24, 1761. As Bishop of London, he also held the job of dean of the Chapel Royal.

Thomas Hayter died on January 9, 1762. He passed away at his home in London from a condition called dropsy. He was buried in the churchyard of All Saints Church, Fulham, London. A white marble tomb was built to remember him.