Thomas Herne facts for kids
Thomas Herne (who died in 1722) was a smart English scholar. He also took part in big discussions about religion, even though he wasn't a priest.
His Life and Studies
Thomas Herne was born in Suffolk, a county in England. He started studying at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, on October 29, 1711. At Cambridge, he was a "pensioner," which meant he paid for his own studies and living costs.
The next year, he won a scholarship, which helped him pay for college. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1715. Later, in 1716, he also became a student at Oxford University.
Soon after, a very important person, the Duchess of Bedford, hired him. Thomas Herne became the tutor for her sons, Wriothesley and John. These boys later became the third and fourth Dukes of Bedford.
In 1716, Herne was chosen to be a fellow at Merton College, Oxford. A "fellow" is like a senior member or teacher at a college. In 1718, he earned his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree. Thomas Herne never became a priest and never married. He passed away in 1722 at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire.
His Writings and Debates
Thomas Herne was involved in a major religious debate called the Bangorian controversy. This was a big argument about how much power the Church and government should have over people's beliefs.
He wrote several works using a fake name, or "pseudonym," called 'Phileleutherus Cantabrigiensis.' Some of his writings included:
- 'The False Notion of a Christian Priesthood,' which was a response to another writer named William Law. This was published between 1717 and 1718.
- 'Three Discourses on Private Judgment against the Authority of the Magistrate over Conscience.' This book, published in 1718, was a translation of a work by Professor Samuel Werenfels. It talked about people having the right to their own beliefs, free from government control.
- 'An Essay on Imposing and Subscribing Articles of Religion,' published in 1719.
- 'A Letter to Dr. Mangey, on his Sermon upon Christ's Divinity,' also from 1719. This was a letter to Thomas Mangey.
He also wrote other pieces under different names or his own:
- 'A Letter to the Prolocutor,' published in 1718, which supported Edward Tenison.
- 'A Letter to the Rev. Dr. Tenison,' also from 1718, about some writings by Archbishop Wake.
- 'A Vindication of the Archbishop of Canterbury,' published in 1719. This writing defended the Archbishop from being blamed for a letter printed in Zurich.
- 'A second Letter to Dr. Mangey,' from 1719. He used another fake name, 'Philanagnostes Criticus,' for this letter about Christ's eternal existence.
In 1719, Thomas Herne also put together a list of all the important pamphlets that had been written during the Bangorian controversy up to the end of 1718. He continued this list for 1719, publishing it in 1720, and then released a full collection of all these writings in 1720.
