Francis Atterbury

Francis Atterbury was a prominent figure in the Church of England, known for his involvement in the High Church movement and his close ties to Oxford University. Atterbury's life was marked by his association with notable figures such as Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope, and his involvement in significant events like the Jacobite Rising of 1715. He was also a fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Atterbury's connections to influential institutions, including Christ Church, Oxford and Westminster School, played a crucial role in shaping his career.

● Early Life and Education

Atterbury was born in 1663 in Middlesex, England, to a family with strong ties to the Church of England. He received his early education at Westminster School, where he was a King's Scholar, before proceeding to Christ Church, Oxford. Atterbury's time at Christ Church, Oxford was marked by his involvement with prominent figures such as John Locke and Gilbert Burnet, and his association with institutions like the Bodleian Library and the Ashmolean Museum. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oxford University in 1682 and went on to receive his Master of Arts degree in 1685. Atterbury's education was also influenced by his connections to Cambridge University and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he interacted with scholars like Isaac Newton and Edmund Halley.

● Career

Atterbury's career in the Church of England began with his appointment as a deacon in 1685, followed by his ordination as a priest in 1687. He served as a chaplain to Archbishop of Canterbury John Tillotson and later became the Dean of Carlisle in 1711. Atterbury's involvement in the High Church movement led to his association with notable figures like Henry Sacheverell and William Laud. He was also a strong supporter of the Tory Party and its leaders, including Robert Harley and Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke. Atterbury's connections to influential institutions, such as Eton College and King's College, Cambridge, further solidified his position within the Church of England.

● Exile and Later Life

Atterbury's involvement in the Jacobite Rising of 1715 led to his impeachment and subsequent exile to France in 1723. During his time in exile, he maintained close ties with James Francis Edward Stuart and other prominent Jacobite figures, including John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar and George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal. Atterbury also interacted with notable French intellectuals, such as Voltaire and Pierre Bayle, and was a member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres. He continued to write and publish works, including his notable Epistolae series, which was influenced by the writings of Cicero and Seneca the Younger. Atterbury's later life was also marked by his connections to Rome and the Catholic Church, where he interacted with figures like Pope Clement XI and Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni.

● Literary Works

Atterbury was a prolific writer and published several notable works, including his Sermons and Epistolae series. His writings were influenced by the works of Classical antiquity, including the writings of Aristotle and Plato. Atterbury's literary style was also shaped by his interactions with prominent writers, such as Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift, and his association with institutions like the Kit-Cat Club and the Scriblerus Club. His works were widely read and admired by contemporaries, including Samuel Johnson and David Hume, and were also influenced by the writings of John Dryden and John Milton.

● Legacy

Atterbury's legacy is complex and multifaceted, reflecting his involvement in the Church of England, the High Church movement, and the Jacobite Rising of 1715. He is remembered as a prominent figure in the Church of England and a strong supporter of the Tory Party. Atterbury's literary works continue to be studied and admired, and his influence can be seen in the writings of later authors, such as William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. His connections to influential institutions, including Oxford University and Cambridge University, have ensured his lasting impact on English literature and ecclesiastical history. Atterbury's life and works are also commemorated in various Church of England institutions, including Christ Church, Oxford and Westminster Abbey. Category:17th-century English people