Edward Jacob (1713–1788) was an English

antiquary An antiquarian or antiquary () is an fan (person), aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient artifact (archaeology), artifac ...

, naturalist and

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...

from

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

Life

He was the son of Edward Jacob, surgeon of

Canterbury Canterbury (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the heart of the City of Canterbury local government district of Kent, England. It lies on the River Stour, Kent, River Stour. ...

, mayor of that city in 1727, who died in 1756. He was apprenticed to his father on a surgical apprenticeship in 1728. On completion of this in 1735 he was made a

freeman Freeman, free men, or variant, may refer to: * a member of the Third Estate in medieval society (commoners), see estates of the realm * Freeman, an apprentice who has been granted freedom of the company, was a rank within Livery companies * Free ...

of the city of Canterbury and moved to

Faversham Faversham is a market town in Kent, England, from London and from Canterbury, next to the Swale, a strip of sea separating mainland Kent from the Isle of Sheppey in the Thames Estuary. It is close to the A2, which follows an ancient British t ...

in Kent in that same year, where he practised as a surgeon. Jacob was an antiquary, bibliophile, scientist, botanist and fossil collector. He wrote a number of papers and books. 1774 saw his ''Plantae Favershemiensis'' appear, 1777 his '' History of the Town and Port of Faversham''. He also re-published the anonymous 16th century play ''

Arden of Faversham ''Arden of Faversham'' (original spelling: ''Arden of Feversham'') is an Elizabethan play, entered into the Register of the Stationers Company on 3 April 1592, and printed later that same year by Edward White. It depicts the real-life murder ...

'', and was the first person to suggest that

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

had a hand in writing it. He was elected to the Society of Antiquaries in 1755. He was mayor of Faversham on four occasions, namely, 1749, 1754, 1765 and 1775. His practice must have flourished, for he acquired three estates in Kent. #the manor of ''Nutts'' in Leysdown in the

Isle of Sheppey The Isle of Sheppey is an island off the northern coast of Kent, England, neighbouring the Thames Estuary, centred from central London. It has an area of . The island forms part of the local government district of Swale. ''Sheppey'' is derived ...

was bought in 1752, #the manor of ''Cades'' in

Ospringe Ospringe is a village and area of Faversham in the English county of Kent. It is also the name of a civil parish, which since 1935 has not included the village of Ospringe. The village lies on the Roman road Watling Street (nowadays the A2 ro ...

next Faversham in 1757 #the manor of ''Nackington alias Sextries'' in Canterbury in 1763.

Family

Jacob married twice. His first wife was Margaret Rigden, whom he married on 4 September 1739, she being the daughter of John Rigden of Canterbury. She was baptized on 23 September 1709 and buried on 20 January 1749. Edward married for his second wife Mary Long, the daughter and heiress of Captain Stephen Long of

Sandwich A sandwich is a food typically consisting of vegetables, sliced cheese or meat, placed on or between slices of bread, or more generally any dish wherein bread serves as a container or wrapper for another food type. The sandwich began as a po ...

. They had eight children, five of whom survived infancy. His practice in Faversham was continued by his eldest son Edward. He was the ancestor of many noted people that include: *Brigadier General John Jacob of Jacobabad, *Major-General Sir George Le Grand Jacob, *

Edgar Jacob Edgar Jacob (16 November 1844 – 25 March 1920) was an English churchman, who became Bishop of Newcastle and then Bishop of St Albans. Early life and education He was born at the rectory in Crawley, Hampshire, on 16 November 1844. He was the ...

, the bishop successively of Newcastle and St Albans, *Field Marshal Sir Claud Jacob, *Lt-General Sir Ian Jacob, Director General of the BBC and a member of Churchill's war cabinet, *

Gordon Jacob Gordon Percival Septimus Jacob CBE (5 July 18958 June 1984) was an English composer and teacher. He was a professor at the Royal College of Music in London from 1924 until his retirement in 1966, and published four books and many articles about m ...

, the composer, *

Ernest Fraser Jacob Ernest Fraser Jacob (12 September 1894 – 7 October 1971) was a British medievalist and scholar who was President of the Chetham Society, Lancashire Parish Register Society and Ecclesiastical History Society. Education He was educated at Tw ...

, the historian to name but a few.

References

* ''Edward Jacob (1713-1788)'' by William H George (2001), * ''Dictionary of National Biography'' * Pedigree Registered with the College of Arms, London (c. 1840) * ''A Victorian Pedagogue and his Circle'' by Clive Jacob * ''Biographical Notes'' by Kenneth W Jacob, the Jacob Private Press 2002.

External links

Images of Edward Jacob
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Jacob, Edward People from Canterbury 18th-century English historians English naturalists 1713 births 1788 deaths 18th-century naturalists English antiquarians 18th-century antiquarians People from Faversham Mayors of Canterbury