Robert Woodford (1606–1654) was an English lawyer, best known for an extensive diary that covers the period 1637–1641. He expresses the views of a Puritan travelling just before the
English Civil War
The English Civil War (1642–1651) was a series of civil wars and political machinations between Parliamentarians (" Roundheads") and Royalists led by Charles I ("Cavaliers"), mainly over the manner of England's governance and issues of re ...
.
Early life, family and career
Robert Woodford was born at
Old, Northamptonshire on 3 April 1606, a son of Robert Woodford and his wife Jane Dexter. He was educated at
Brixworth
Brixworth is a large village and civil parish in West Northamptonshire, England. The 2001 census recorded a parish population of 5,162, increasing to 5,228 at the 2011 census. The village's All Saints' Church is of Anglo-Saxon origin.
Loca ...
and trained as an attorney by John Reading, a barrister at
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as the Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court and is a professional associations for barristers and judges. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and ...
.
In 1635, Robert married Hannah Haunch (1617–1699) at
All Hallows, London Wall, the daughter of Robert Haunch and his wife Susanna Heighes. The couple had 14 children, but many failed to survive to adulthood.
Robert practised as a lawyer in Northampton, London and elsewhere, and served as Steward of Northampton from 1635 onwards.
Writings
Robert is remarkable as a diarist. Only one manuscript of his writings appears to survive, but it provides insight into the experiences and world view of a devout Puritan who travelled between London and the Midlands during the years leading up to the English Civil War. Bound as a single volume running from 20 August 1637 to 16 August 1641, it is currently held by
New College, Oxford (NCA 9502). It appears from annotations on its cover to be one of a series of diaries kept by the author. The diary contains 588 pages and some 89,000 words. The subject matter includes accounts of the author's family events and business activities, along with extensive comments and reflections of a spiritual nature.
Later life
Robert died at Northampton on 15 November 1654 and was buried there at
All Saints' Church
All Saints Church, or All Saints' Church or variations on the name may refer to:
Albania
*All Saints' Church, Himarë
Australia
* All Saints Church, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
* All Saints Anglican Church, Henley Brook, Western Aust ...
two days later. He left no will, administration of his estate being granted in the following year to his widow Hannah. One of their descendants was
James Woodforde
James Woodforde (1740–1803) was an English clergyman, mainly in Somerset and Norfolk, remembered as the author of ''The Diary of a Country Parson''. This vivid account of parish life remained unpublished until the 20th century.
Early life
Ja ...
, another noted diarist.
References
External links
The Woodforde Story this includes a number of articles with reference sources relating to Robert and his kin.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Woodford, Robert
English diarists
1606 births
1654 deaths
English male non-fiction writers
People from West Northamptonshire District