Thomas Secker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Thomas Secker |
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| Archbishop of Canterbury | |
Portrait by Joshua Reynolds
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| Enthroned | 1758 |
| Reign ended | 1768 |
| Predecessor | Matthew Hutton |
| Successor | Frederick Cornwallis |
| Other posts | Bishop of Bristol (1735–1737) Bishop of Oxford (1737–1758) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 September 1693 Sibthorpe, Nottinghamshire |
| Died | 3 August 1768 (aged 74) Lambeth Palace, London |
| Buried | Lambeth |
| Nationality | English |
| Alma mater | Leiden University Exeter College, Oxford |
Thomas Secker (born September 21, 1693 – died August 3, 1768) was an important leader in the Church of England. He held the high position of Archbishop of Canterbury. This means he was the main leader of the Church of England for a period.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Thomas Secker was born in a place called Sibthorpe in Nottinghamshire. When he was six years old, in 1699, he started attending a free school in Chesterfield. He lived with his half-sister and her husband while he studied there.
His teacher, Richard Brown, was very proud of Thomas's studies. He once told him, "If you joined the Church, I'm sure you would become a bishop!" Thomas felt he learned a lot of Greek and Latin from Mr. Brown.
Learning Challenges and New Schools
In 1708, Thomas went to a special school called a "dissenting academy" in Attercliffe, near Sheffield. These schools were for people who didn't fully agree with the Church of England. However, Thomas was not happy with the teaching there.
He felt he forgot the languages he had learned. He also said that the old way of teaching philosophy was not done well. He left this school after about a year and a half.
In 1710, Thomas moved to London. He stayed with the father of a boy named John Bowes, who was a friend from school. In London, Thomas studied new subjects like geometry and algebra. He also learned French and read a famous book about how people think.
Studying at Tewkesbury Academy
A famous writer named Isaac Watts encouraged Thomas to attend another dissenting academy. This one was in Gloucester and was run by Samuel Jones. Here, Thomas really improved his language skills.
He got better at Greek and Latin. He also learned Hebrew and other ancient languages. Mr. Jones's school was known for teaching about ancient Jewish history and logic. Math was also taught at a higher level than usual.
Friends and Future Leaders
Many other students who later became important leaders studied with Thomas at this academy. Some became bishops in the Church of England, like Joseph Butler. Others became leaders in the dissenting churches.
In 1713, the academy moved to a bigger place in Tewkesbury. Thomas even helped pay for it with £200. While there, he helped his friend Joseph Butler by delivering secret letters. These letters were part of a discussion about God's nature. Both Thomas and Joseph left the academy soon after.
Thomas then studied medicine in London and Paris. In 1721, he earned a medical degree from Leiden University. When he returned to England, he decided to join the Church. He went to Exeter College, Oxford and became a priest in 1722.
Thomas Secker's Career
Thomas Secker's career in the Church of England grew steadily. In 1724, he became the rector (a type of priest in charge of a church) of Houghton-le-Spring. He later moved to another church in Ryton in 1727. He also became a "canon" at Durham Cathedral.
In 1733, he became the rector of a church in London called St James's Westminster. Two years later, in 1735, he was made the Bishop of Bristol.
Becoming a Bishop and Archbishop
Around this time, King George II asked Thomas to help. The King wanted Thomas to help him make peace with his son, the Prince of Wales. However, Thomas's efforts were not successful.
In 1737, Thomas became the Bishop of Oxford. Later, in 1750, he became the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, London. This meant he was in charge of that famous cathedral.
Finally, on April 21, 1758, Thomas Secker reached the highest position in the Church of England. He became the Archbishop of Canterbury. He took on this role a month after the previous Archbishop passed away.
Supporting the Church in America
As Archbishop, Thomas Secker strongly believed that the American colonies needed their own bishop. He wrote a paper explaining his reasons. This idea caused a lot of discussion and disagreement in both England and America.
Death and Legacy
Thomas Secker passed away on August 3, 1768, at the age of 74. He died at Lambeth Palace in London, which is where the Archbishop of Canterbury lives.
Church records show that some of his internal organs were buried in a special container in the churchyard of St Mary-at-Lambeth. Thomas Secker left a large amount of money in his will. After he died, there was a disagreement about his will. A court decided that a large sum of money he wanted to give to charity should instead go to his family.
Works
Thomas Secker wrote many sermons and books. His most well-known work was Lectures on the Catechism of the Church of England, published in 1769. This book explained the basic teachings of the Church.
- A sermon preach'd before the University of Oxford, at St. Mary's, on Act Sunday in the afternoon, 1733
- A sermon preached before the House of Lords, 1739
- A sermon preached before the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, 1741
- Lectures on the catechism of the Church of England, 1769
- A letter to the Right Honourable Horatio Walpole, Esq; [...] concerning bishops in America, 1769
- Sermons on several subjects, 1770
- Five sermons against popery, 1772
- Six sermons on the liturgy of the Church of England, 1773
