GEMMS IDGEMMS-PERSON-000651
NameThomas Hearne
TitleMr
Gendermale
DenominationChurch of England – nonjuror
Livedb. ca. 1679-07-11 - d. ca. 1735-06-10 (old)
Linked Manuscriptsmanuscript owner - Collection of sermons: MS. Rawl. D. 1267manuscript owner - Collection of Sermons and Sermon Notes: MS. Rawl. A. 407manuscript owner - Letters from Dr Edward Bernard to Dr Thomas Smith: MS. Smith 47manuscript owner - Miscellaneous papers: MS. Smith 31manuscript owner - Miscellany of Thomas Smith: MS. Smith 128manuscript owner - Pocket notebook of James Ussher: MS. Rawl. D. 1290manuscript owner - Transcripts or drafts of English letters by Thomas Smith: MS. Smith 66
Linked Sermons
Linked Reports
Source of DataLucy Busfield
Biographical Sources ConsultedODNB (Article: 12827)
Other NoteThomas Hearne was born in Little Field Green, Berkshire to George Hearne and his first wife Edith Wise. He was baptized on 11 July 1678 and was educated at the free school of Bray and privately tutored in classical theology. He matriculated from St Edmund Hall in 1695, graduating B.A. in 1699 and proceeding M.A. in 1703. He began his career as a library assistant at the Bodleian in 1701, during which time he published his book “Reliquiae Bodleianae” (1703) and several editions of classical authors. A non-juror, Hearne turned down various positions he was offered, including the librarianship of the Bodleian, because they would require him to swear oaths. He continued to publish and contribute to others’ publications through research, and he was appointed architypographer of the press and superior beadle of civil law in 1715. However, his strong opinions and ad hominem attacks in his publications created problems and resulted in Hearne losing the post as second librarian and his access to the library in 1716. He carved out a career as a private publisher, making significant contributions to English history with his editions of historical sources, and continued important bibliographical research. He died in 1735 in his lodgings at St. Edmund College, where he had lived his entire life. He was buried on 14 June 1735 in the cemetery of St Peter-in-the-East. He was unmarried, and his books were sold privately; many ended up in Richard Rawlinson’s collection, which was bequeathed to the Bodleian in 1756.
GEMMS record createdAugust 14, 2016
GEMMS record last editedJune 28, 2022