John Oldmixon (1673 – 9 July 1742) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

historian A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the stu ...

. He was a son of John Oldmixon of Oldmixon,

Weston-super-Mare Weston-super-Mare, also known simply as Weston, is a seaside town in North Somerset, England. It lies by the Bristol Channel south-west of Bristol between Worlebury Hill and Bleadon Hill. It includes the suburbs of Mead Vale, Milton, Oldmixon ...

Somerset ( en, All The People of Somerset) , locator_map = , coordinates = , region = South West England , established_date = Ancient , established_by = , preceded_by = , origin = , lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset , lord_ ...

. He was brought up by the family of Admiral

Robert Blake Robert Blake may refer to: Sportspeople * Bob Blake (American football) (1885–1962), American football player * Robbie Blake (born 1976), English footballer * Bob Blake (ice hockey) (1914–2008), American ice hockey player * Rob Blake (born 19 ...

Bridgwater Bridgwater is a large historic market town and civil parish in Somerset, England. Its population currently stands at around 41,276 as of 2022. Bridgwater is at the edge of the Somerset Levels, in level and well-wooded country. The town lies alon ...

and later became involved in trade through the port of

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...

. His first writings were poetry and dramas, among them being ''Amores Britannici; Epistles Historical and Gallant'' (1703); and a tragedy, ''

The Governor of Cyprus ''The Governour of Cyprus'' (or ''The Governor of Cyprus'') is a 1703 play by the English writer John Oldmixon. It premiered at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London, but the exact date was unclear with some sources putting the first perform ...

''. His earliest historical work was ''The British Empire in America'' (1708), followed by ''The Secret History of Europe'' (1712-1715); ''Arcana Gallica, Or the Secret History of France for the Last Century'' (1714); and other smaller writings. More important, although very biased, are Oldmixon's works on English history. His ''Critical History of England'' (1724-1726) contains attacks on

Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (18 February 16099 December 1674), was an English statesman, lawyer, diplomat and historian who served as chief advisor to Charles I during the First English Civil War, and Lord Chancellor to Charles II from ...

and a defence of Bishop

Gilbert Burnet Gilbert Burnet (18 September 1643 – 17 March 1715) was a Scottish philosopher and historian, and Bishop of Salisbury. He was fluent in Dutch, French, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Burnet was highly respected as a cleric, a preacher, an academic, ...

, and its publication led to a controversy between Dr

Zachary Grey Zachary Grey (6 May 1688 – 1766) was an English priest, controversialist, and conservative spokesman for the Church of England. He was also an editor, commentator on William Shakespeare, and critic of dissenter historians. Life Grey was ...

and the author, who replied to Grey in his ''Clarendon and Whitlock Compared'' (1727). On the same lines he wrote his ''History of England During the Reigns of the Royal House of Stuart'' (1730). Herein he charged

Francis Atterbury Francis Atterbury (6 March 1663 – 22 February 1732) was an English man of letters, politician and bishop. A High Church Tory and Jacobite, he gained patronage under Queen Anne, but was mistrusted by the Hanoverian Whig ministries, and ban ...

and other editors with tampering with the text of the ''History''. From his exile Atterbury replied to this charge in a ''Vindication'', and although Oldmixon continued the controversy it is practically certain that he was in the wrong. He completed a continuous history of England by writing the ''History of England During the Reigns of William and Mary, Anne and George I'' (1735); and the ''History of England During the Reigns of

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...

Edward VI Edward VI (12 October 1537 – 6 July 1553) was King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death in 1553. He was crowned on 20 February 1547 at the age of nine. Edward was the son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour and the first E ...

Mary Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...

and

Elizabeth Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sch ...

'' (1739). Among his other writings are, ''Memoirs of North Britain'' (1715), ''Essay on Criticism'' (1728) and ''Memoirs of the Press 1710-1740'' (1742), which was published only after his death. Oldmixon had much to do with editing two periodicals, ''The Muses Mercury'' and ''The Medley'', and he often complained that his services were overlooked by the government.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Oldmixon, John 1673 births 1742 deaths People from Weston-super-Mare 18th-century English historians