Vincent Bourne
Encyclopedia
Vincent Bourne, familiarly known as Vinny Bourne (1695, Westminster
– December 2, 1747) was an English
classical scholar.
Vincent Bourne was the son of Andrew Bourne of Westminster. In 1710 he became a scholar at Westminster School
, and in 1714 entered Trinity College, Cambridge
. He graduated in 1717, and obtained a fellowship three years later. Of his afterlife exceedingly little is known. It is certain that he passed the greater portion of it as usher in Westminster school.
During his lifetime he published three editions of his Latin
poems, and in 1772 there appeared a very handsome quarto
volume containing all Bourne's pieces, but also some that did not belong to him.
The Latin poems are remarkable not only for perfect mastery of all linguistic niceties, but for graceful expression and genuine poetic feeling. A number of them are translations of English poems, and it is not too much to say that the Latin versions almost invariably surpass the originals. Cowper
, an old pupil of Bourne's, Beattie
and Lamb have combined in praise of his wonderful power of Latin versification.
See an edition (1840) of his Poemata, with a memoir by John Mitford
.
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
– December 2, 1747) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
classical scholar.
Vincent Bourne was the son of Andrew Bourne of Westminster. In 1710 he became a scholar at Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
, and in 1714 entered Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
. He graduated in 1717, and obtained a fellowship three years later. Of his afterlife exceedingly little is known. It is certain that he passed the greater portion of it as usher in Westminster school.
During his lifetime he published three editions of his Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
poems, and in 1772 there appeared a very handsome quarto
Quarto
Quarto could refer to:* Quarto, a size or format of a book in which four leaves of a book are created from a standard size sheet of paper* For specific information about quarto texts of William Shakespeare's works, see:...
volume containing all Bourne's pieces, but also some that did not belong to him.
The Latin poems are remarkable not only for perfect mastery of all linguistic niceties, but for graceful expression and genuine poetic feeling. A number of them are translations of English poems, and it is not too much to say that the Latin versions almost invariably surpass the originals. Cowper
William Cowper
William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. In many ways, he was one of the forerunners of Romantic poetry...
, an old pupil of Bourne's, Beattie
James Beattie (writer)
Professor James Beattie FRSE was a Scottish poet, moralist and philosopher.He was born the son of a shopkeeper and small farmer at Laurencekirk in the Mearns, and educated at Aberdeen University. In 1760, he was appointed Professor of moral philosophy there as a result of the interest of his...
and Lamb have combined in praise of his wonderful power of Latin versification.
See an edition (1840) of his Poemata, with a memoir by John Mitford
John Mitford
John Mitford, also known as Jack Mitford , was a British naval officer, poet and journalist who is best remembered for his book The adventures of Johnny Newcome in the navy.-Early life and naval career:...
.