Thomas Warton the elder facts for kids

Thomas Warton (born around 1688, died 1745) was an English clergyman and schoolmaster. He is known for being a professor of poetry at Oxford University. He got this job partly because he supported a group called the Jacobites, who wanted to bring back the old royal family to the throne.

A Life of Learning and Teaching

Thomas Warton was born around 1688. His father, Antony Warton, was a vicar in Godalming. Thomas went to Oxford University, first at Hart Hall, then at Magdalen College. He studied there for many years, earning his first degree in 1710 and a master's degree in 1712.

While at Oxford, Thomas Warton showed support for the Jacobites. This group wanted James Francis Edward Stuart, often called the "Old Pretender," to become king of Great Britain. Because of his popularity among those who shared his views, he was chosen as the professor of poetry at Oxford in 1718. He was re-elected for a second term in 1723. He finished his time as professor in 1728.

After 1723, Warton did not live in Oxford all the time. He became the vicar of Basingstoke in Hampshire and also the headmaster of the grammar school there. One of his famous students was the naturalist Gilbert White.

Thomas Warton stayed in Basingstoke until he died on 10 September 1745. He was buried in the church there.

His Family

Thomas Warton married Elizabeth Richardson. They had two sons, Joseph Warton and Thomas Warton (who became quite famous himself), and a daughter named Jane Warton.

His Writings

Thomas Warton wrote many poems for special occasions. However, he did not publish them all together during his lifetime. After he died, his son Joseph collected and published his poems in 1748. Some of these poems were called 'runic' odes, which are poems inspired by old Norse or Germanic writings. These poems are said to have caught the attention of the famous poet Thomas Gray.