About
Thomas Fuller (1608-1661) was an English clergyman and historian, known for his prolific writings and witty style. Born in Northamptonshire, he studied at Cambridge and became a priest. During the English Civil War, he moderately supported the Royalist cause. His major works include a history of the Crusades, a geography of the Holy Land, and a history of the Church in Britain. His posthumous book, The History of the Worthies of England, is a pioneering attempt at a national biography. Fuller was also one of the first English authors to support himself through writing.
Major works
- The Historie of the Holy Warre (1639)history
- The Holy State and the Prophane State (1642)collection of character sketches
- A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine (1650)descriptive geography
- The Church-History of Britain (1655)history
- The History of the Worthies of England (1662)biographical dictionary
Key milestones
- 1622Matriculated at Queens' College, Cambridge, at age 13.
- 1631Ordained priest and became vicar of St Bene't's, Cambridge.
- 1660Appointed Chaplain Extraordinary to Charles II after the Restoration.
Themes
Religious historyBiblical geographyNational biographyWit and humorModerate Royalism
Sources: britannica.com · en.wikisource.org · venn.lib.cam.ac.uk