William Burton (antiquary, died 1657)
Encyclopedia
William Burton was an English schoolmaster and antiquary, best known for his posthumously-published commentary on the Antonine Itinerary
.
, in Shropshire
, he was born in Austin Friars, London, and educated at St. Paul's School. He became a student in Queen's College, Oxford, in 1625; but as he had not sufficient means, Thomas Allen
, perceiving his merit, induced him to migrate to Gloucester Hall, and conferred on him a Greek lectureship there. He was a Pauline exhibitioner from 1624 to 1632. In 1630 he graduated B.C.L., but, poverty forcing him to leave the university, he became the assistant or usher of Thomas Farnaby
, the schoolmaster.
Some years later he was appointed master of the free school at Kingston-upon-Thames, in Surrey
, where he continued till two years before his death, when, suffering from dead palsy
, he retired to London.’ He died on 28 December 1657, and was buried in a vault under the church of St. Clement Danes, in the Strand. White Kennett
called him "the best topographer since Camden
, while Anthony Wood
relates James Ussher
's high opinion of him.
Antonine Itinerary
The Antonine Itinerary is a register of the stations and distances along the various roads of the Roman empire, containing directions how to get from one Roman settlement to another...
.
Life
The son of William Burton, sometime of AtchamAtcham
Atcham is a village, ecclesiastical parish and civil parish in Shropshire, England. It is situated on the B4380 , 5 miles south east of Shrewsbury. The River Severn flows around the village...
, in Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, he was born in Austin Friars, London, and educated at St. Paul's School. He became a student in Queen's College, Oxford, in 1625; but as he had not sufficient means, Thomas Allen
Thomas Allen (mathematician)
Thomas Allen was an English mathematician and astrologer.-Life:He was admitted scholar of Trinity College, Oxford, in 1561; and graduated as M.A. in 1567...
, perceiving his merit, induced him to migrate to Gloucester Hall, and conferred on him a Greek lectureship there. He was a Pauline exhibitioner from 1624 to 1632. In 1630 he graduated B.C.L., but, poverty forcing him to leave the university, he became the assistant or usher of Thomas Farnaby
Thomas Farnaby
Thomas Farnaby was an English schoolmaster and scholar.-Early life:He was the son of a London carpenter...
, the schoolmaster.
Some years later he was appointed master of the free school at Kingston-upon-Thames, in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, where he continued till two years before his death, when, suffering from dead palsy
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
, he retired to London.’ He died on 28 December 1657, and was buried in a vault under the church of St. Clement Danes, in the Strand. White Kennett
White Kennett
White Kennett was an English bishop and antiquarian.-Life:He was born at Dover. He was educated at Westminster School and at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where, while an undergraduate, he published several translations of Latin works, including Erasmus' In Praise of Folly.Kennett was vicar of...
called him "the best topographer since Camden
William Camden
William Camden was an English antiquarian, historian, topographer, and officer of arms. He wrote the first chorographical survey of the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and the first detailed historical account of the reign of Elizabeth I of England.- Early years :Camden was born in London...
, while Anthony Wood
Anthony Wood
Anthony Wood or Anthony à Wood was an English antiquary.-Early life:Anthony Wood was the fourth son of Thomas Wood , BCL of Oxford, where Anthony was born...
relates James Ussher
James Ussher
James Ussher was Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625–56...
's high opinion of him.
Works
His works are:- ‘In [laudem] doctissimi, clarissimi, optimi senis, Thomæ Alleni ultimo Septembris mdcxxxii Oxon iis demortui, exequiarum justis ab alma Academia postridie solutis, orationes binæ’ (the first by Burton, the second by George Bathurst), London, 1632.
- ‘Nobilissimi herois Dn. C. Howardi comitis Nottinghamiæ ἀποθέωσις ad illustrissimum V. Dn. C. Howardum, comitem Nottinghamiæ, fratrem superstitem’ (London, 1 April 1643), on a small sheet, fol.
- ‘The beloved City: or, the Saints' Reign on Earth a Thousand Years, asserted and illustrated from 65 places of Holy Scripture,’ Lond. 1643, translated from the Latin of Johann Heinrich AlstedJohann Heinrich AlstedJohann Heinrich Alsted was a German Calvinist minister and academic, known for his varied interests: in Ramism and Lullism, pedagogy and encyclopedias, theology and millennarianism.-Life:...
. - ‘Clement, the blessed Paul's fellow-labourer in the Gospel, his First Epistle to the Corinthians; being an effectuall Suasory to Peace, and Brotherly Condescension, after an unhappy Schism and Separation in that Church,’ London, 1647, 1652, translated from Patrick Yong's Latin version, who has added ‘Certaine Annotations upon Clement.’
- ‘Græcæ Linguæ Historia (Veteris Linguæ Persicæ λείψανα)’ 2 parts, London, 1657.
- ‘A Commentary on Antoninus his Itinerary, or Journies of the Roman Empire, so far as it concerneth Britain,’ Lond. 1658. With portrait engraved by Hollar, and a ‘Chorographicall Map of the severall Stations.’