Henry Maurice (Oxford professor)
Encyclopedia
Henry Maurice was a Welsh
clergyman who became Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Oxford University.
, Anglesey
, was educated at Beaumaris Grammar School
. He then matriculated
at Jesus College, Oxford
in 1664 at the age of 16, graduating with a B.A.
degree in 1668. His ability led to Leoline Jenkins
, the college principal, taking an interest in him, and Maurice was elected to a fellowship in 1670 (a position he retained until 1685). He obtained further degrees: M.A. (1671), B.D.
(1679) and D.D.
(1683). After his ordination, he became curate
of Cheltenham
after 1669, returning to the college in 1671 only to leave in 1673 to accompany Jenkins as his chaplain to the Congress of Cologne, where Jenkins was an English representative in attempts to settle the Third Anglo-Dutch War
. Maurice gained skills in modern languages on this mission and at later negotiations with Jenkins at Nijmegen.
In 1680, William Lloyd, Bishop of St Asaph
, helped Maurice to be appointed domestic chaplain to William Sancroft
, Archbishop of Canterbury
(a position that Maurice held until 1691). During this period, he became Treasurer of Chichester Cathedral
, rector
of Chevening, Kent
, and sinecure
rector of Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, Denbighshire
. He also became rector of Newington, Oxfordshire
. He also wrote and preached extensively. On 18 July 1691, Maurice was elected Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity (by only six votes) and was appointed to the accompanying prebend of Worcester Cathedral
. He died suddenly shortly afterwards, on 30 October 1691, and was buried in the chancel of the church at Newington. He left his library to Jesus College.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
clergyman who became Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Oxford University.
Life
Maurice, the son of Thomas Maurice, curate of the parish of LlangristiolusLlangristiolus
Llangristiolus is a village in the middle of Anglesey, Wales, southwest of Llangefni, and is named after Saint Cristiolus. The River Cefni flows through the village...
, Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
, was educated at Beaumaris Grammar School
Ysgol David Hughes
Ysgol David Hughes is the largest Secondary School in Anglesey, Wales. It was founded in 1603, originally as a free Grammar School in Beaumaris. In 1963, with the local authority leading the way in introducing the comprehensive system, the school moved to Menai Bridge as a mixed comprehensive...
. He then matriculated
Matriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
at Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
in 1664 at the age of 16, graduating with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in 1668. His ability led to Leoline Jenkins
Leoline Jenkins
Sir Leoline Jenkins was a Welsh academic, jurist and politician. He was a clerical lawyer serving in the Admiralty courts, and diplomat involved in the negotiation of international treaties .-Biography:...
, the college principal, taking an interest in him, and Maurice was elected to a fellowship in 1670 (a position he retained until 1685). He obtained further degrees: M.A. (1671), B.D.
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
(1679) and D.D.
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
(1683). After his ordination, he became curate
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
of Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
after 1669, returning to the college in 1671 only to leave in 1673 to accompany Jenkins as his chaplain to the Congress of Cologne, where Jenkins was an English representative in attempts to settle the Third Anglo-Dutch War
Third Anglo-Dutch War
The Third Anglo–Dutch War or Third Dutch War was a military conflict between England and the Dutch Republic lasting from 1672 to 1674. It was part of the larger Franco-Dutch War...
. Maurice gained skills in modern languages on this mission and at later negotiations with Jenkins at Nijmegen.
In 1680, William Lloyd, Bishop of St Asaph
Bishop of St Asaph
The Bishop of St Asaph heads the Church in Wales diocese of St Asaph.The diocese covers the counties of Conwy and Flintshire, Wrexham county borough, the eastern part of Merioneth in Gwynedd and part of northern Powys. The Episcopal seat is located in the Cathedral Church of St Asaph in the town of...
, helped Maurice to be appointed domestic chaplain to William Sancroft
William Sancroft
William Sancroft was the 79th Archbishop of Canterbury.- Life :Sancroft was born at Ufford Hall in Fressingfield, Suffolk, son of Francis Sandcroft and Margaret Sandcroft née Butcher...
, Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
(a position that Maurice held until 1691). During this period, he became Treasurer of Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
, rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Chevening, Kent
Chevening, Kent
Chevening is a village and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. The parish is located to the north west of Sevenoaks on the southern slopes of the North Downs. The parish is a small one, being in length and wide. It has a population of 2,762. Apart from the village the...
, and sinecure
Sinecure
A sinecure means an office that requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service...
rector of Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, Denbighshire
Denbighshire
Denbighshire is a county in north-east Wales. It is named after the historic county of Denbighshire, but has substantially different borders. Denbighshire has the distinction of being the oldest inhabited part of Wales. Pontnewydd Palaeolithic site has remains of Neanderthals from 225,000 years...
. He also became rector of Newington, Oxfordshire
Newington, Oxfordshire
Newington is a village and civil parish in South Oxfordshire, about north of Wallingford.The Church of England parish church of Saint Giles was built in the 12th century, its transepts were added about 1200 and the west tower and spire were added early in the 14th century.Gilbert Sheldon held the...
. He also wrote and preached extensively. On 18 July 1691, Maurice was elected Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity (by only six votes) and was appointed to the accompanying prebend of Worcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Worcester, England; situated on a bank overlooking the River Severn. It is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Worcester. Its official name is The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin of Worcester...
. He died suddenly shortly afterwards, on 30 October 1691, and was buried in the chancel of the church at Newington. He left his library to Jesus College.