Thomas Mangey facts for kids

Thomas Mangey (born 1688 – died March 6, 1755) was an English church leader and a very smart person who studied a lot. He was famous for putting together a special collection of writings by an ancient thinker named Philo.

Who Was Thomas Mangey?

Early Life and Education

Thomas Mangey was born in 1688. His father, Arthur Mangey, was a goldsmith from a town called Leeds. Thomas went to the free school in Leeds, which was a school that didn't charge money.

When he was 16, in 1704, Thomas went to St. John's College, Cambridge. He worked hard and earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1707. He then got a higher degree (M.A.) in 1711. In 1715, he became a fellow at St. John's, which meant he was a senior member of the college.

His Work as a Clergyman

In 1716, Thomas Mangey worked as a chaplain at Whitehall, a famous area in London. A chaplain is like a minister or priest who serves a specific group or institution.

He left his fellowship at Cambridge in 1718. Around 1719, he became a chaplain to the Bishop of London, John Robinson. He also earned two more important degrees, LL.D. in 1719 and D.D. in 1725.

Thomas Mangey held several important church positions:

• From 1717 to 1720, he was the Rector of St. Nicolas' Church, Guildford.
• He also served as the vicar of Ealing, Middlesex, a position he left in 1754.
• He was the rector of St. Mildred's, Bread Street until he passed away.
• In 1721, he became a leader in Durham Cathedral, first in the fifth stall and then promoted to the first in 1722.

Thomas Mangey passed away in Durham on March 6, 1755. He was buried in the cathedral there.

Thomas Mangey's Writings

His Main Work: Philo's Writings

Thomas Mangey's most important project was putting together a special edition of the works of Philo of Alexandria. Philo was a very old Jewish philosopher. This big work was called Philonis Judaei Opera and was published in London in 1742.

Other Books and Sermons

Besides Philo's works, Thomas Mangey also wrote many sermons, which are speeches given in church. He also wrote papers arguing against other scholars like John Toland and William Whiston.

One of his books, Remarks upon "Nazarenus," was published in 1719. In this book, he argued against some ideas from John Toland. Toland even wrote a reply to Mangey's book. Another book by Mangey, Plain Notions of our Lord's Divinity (also from 1719), was also answered by another writer.

His Family Life

Thomas Mangey married a woman named Dorothy. She was the daughter of John Sharpe, who was the Archbishop of York.

They had a son named John. John later became a vicar in Dunmow, Essex, and also held a position at St. Paul's Cathedral. John passed away in 1782. Thomas Mangey's wife, Dorothy, lived until 1780.