William Reading facts for kids

William Reading (born 1674, died 1744) was an English clergyman and a very important librarian. He worked at a place called Sion College. He was also known for editing and publishing books by early church historians.

A Life of Learning

William Reading was born on September 17, 1674, in a place called Swin, in Staffordshire, England. His father worked with iron.

When he was older, William went to University College, Oxford, in 1693. He studied hard and earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1696 or 1697. Later, in 1703, he got a higher degree (M.A.) from St. Mary Hall.

In 1708, a bishop named Henry Compton suggested William for a special job. William became the main librarian at Sion College. This college had a big library. In 1710, a new law made Sion College a "deposit library." This meant that publishers had to send a copy of every new book they printed to Sion College. This helped the library grow even bigger!

William also worked as a preacher and lecturer in different churches in London. He gave sermons at the church of St. Alphage from 1712 to 1723. He even preached a special sermon at Westminster Abbey in 1714. Later, he became a lecturer at St Michael, Crooked Lane, in 1725, and a reader at Christ Church, London, in 1733.

William Reading passed away on December 10, 1744. His son, Thomas, took over some of his roles at Sion College.

His Books and Writings

William Reading wrote and edited many important books.

History Books

In 1716, he published his book called History of our Lord, adorn'd with cuts. It was a popular book, and a second edition came out in 1717.

His most important work was a special edition of books by early church historians. These historians included Eusebius Pamphilus, Socrates Scholasticus, Hermias Sozomenus, Theodoretus, and Evagrius Scholasticus. William's edition was printed in both Greek and Latin in 1720.

Sermons and Catalogs

In 1724, William published a collection of his sermons called Twenty-three Sermons of Mortification, Holiness, and of the Fear and Love of God. He dedicated this book to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He also became the secretary of Sion College that same year.

He helped create a huge catalog of all the books in the Sion College library. This catalog helped people find books easily.

In 1728, he published another large collection of his sermons called Fifty-two Sermons for every Sunday of the Year. More volumes of his sermons were published later, showing how much he wrote and preached!

He also published an edition of a book by Origen in 1728 and a sermon about swearing in 1731.