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Meric Casaubon (14 August 1599 – 14 July 1671) was an English
classical scholar Classics, also classical studies or Ancient Greek and Roman studies, is the study of classical antiquity. In the Western world, ''classics'' traditionally refers to the study of Ancient Greek literature, Ancient Greek and Roman literature and ...
. He was the first to translate the ''
Meditations ''Meditations'' () is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161–180 AD, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Composition Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the ''Meditations'' i ...
'' of
Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius Antoninus ( ; ; 26 April 121 – 17 March 180) was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a Stoicism, Stoic philosopher. He was a member of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty, the last of the rulers later known as the Five Good Emperors ...
into English. He was the son of
Isaac Casaubon Isaac Casaubon (; ; 18 February 1559 – 1 July 1614) was a classical scholar and philologist, first in France and then later in England. His son Méric Casaubon was also a classical scholar. Life Early life He was born in Geneva to two F ...
. Although biographical dictionaries (including the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' Eleventh Edition) commonly accentuate his name to Méric, he himself did not do so.


Life

Meric Casaubon was born in
Geneva Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
to a French father, scholar
Isaac Casaubon Isaac Casaubon (; ; 18 February 1559 – 1 July 1614) was a classical scholar and philologist, first in France and then later in England. His son Méric Casaubon was also a classical scholar. Life Early life He was born in Geneva to two F ...
; he was named for his godfather Meric de Vic. After education in Sedan, at an early age he joined his father in England, and completed his education at
Eton College Eton College ( ) is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school providing boarding school, boarding education for boys aged 13–18, in the small town of Eton, Berkshire, Eton, in Berkshire, in the United Kingdom. It has educated Prime Mini ...
and
Christ Church, Oxford Christ Church (, the temple or house, ''wikt:aedes, ædes'', of Christ, and thus sometimes known as "The House") is a Colleges of the University of Oxford, constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Founded in 1546 by Henry V ...
(B.A. 1618; M.A. 1621; D.D. 1636).. His defence of his father against the attacks of certain
Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
s (''Pietas contra maledicos patrii Nominis et Religionis Hostes'', 1621), secured him the notice and favour of James I, who conferred upon him a prebendal stall in
Canterbury Cathedral Canterbury Cathedral is the cathedral of the archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Church of England and symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Located in Canterbury, Kent, it is one of the oldest Christianity, Ch ...
(stall IX) which he held from 1628 to his death. He also vindicated his father's literary reputation against certain impostors who had published, under his name, a work on ''The Origin of Idolatry'' (''Vindicatio Patris adversus Impostores'', 1624). During the
English Civil War The English Civil War or Great Rebellion was a series of civil wars and political machinations between Cavaliers, Royalists and Roundhead, Parliamentarians in the Kingdom of England from 1642 to 1651. Part of the wider 1639 to 1653 Wars of th ...
he was deprived of his benefices and his prebendal stall at Canterbury Cathedral and retired to Oxford refusing to acknowledge the authority of
Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English statesman, politician and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history. He came to prominence during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, initially ...
, who, notwithstanding, requested him to write an impartial history of the events of the period. In spite of the tempting inducements held out, he declined, and also refused the post of inspector of the Swedish universities offered him by Queen Christina. After the Restoration, he was reinstated in his
benefice A benefice () or living is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The Roman Empire used the Latin term as a benefit to an individual from the Empire for services rendered. Its use was adopted by ...
and his stall in Canterbury and devoted the rest of his life to literary work. He died at Canterbury and is buried in the cathedral. His coin collection was incorporated into that of Canon
John Bargrave John Bargrave (1610 – 11 May 1680), was an English people, English author and collector and a canon (priest), canon of Canterbury Cathedral.''Under the Sign: John Bargrave as Collector, Traveler, and Witness'' by Stephen Bann, Michigan, 1995 E ...
. Casaubon's reputation was overshadowed by that of his father; but his editions of numerous classical authors, especially of the ''
Meditations ''Meditations'' () is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161–180 AD, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Composition Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the ''Meditations'' i ...
'' of
Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius Antoninus ( ; ; 26 April 121 – 17 March 180) was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a Stoicism, Stoic philosopher. He was a member of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty, the last of the rulers later known as the Five Good Emperors ...
, were especially valued, and reprinted several times (but by modern standards, his translation is difficult reading). He had an interest in the study of Anglo-Saxon, which he shared with his lifelong "trustie frend" William Somner.
Edward Stillingfleet Edward Stillingfleet (17 April 1635 – 27 March 1699) was an English Christian theologian and scholar. Considered an outstanding preacher as well as a strong polemical writer defending Anglicanism, Stillingfleet was known as "the beauty of ho ...
, whom Casaubon admired, bought many of his books, which are now in Archbishop Marsh's Library, Dublin. Some other volumes from his library came into Canterbury Cathedral Library through William Somner.


Controversy

In ''A Treatise Concerning Enthusiasme'' (1655), Casaubon wrote against
enthusiasm In modern usage, enthusiasm refers to intense enjoyment, interest, or approval expressed by a person. The term is related to playfulness, inventiveness, optimism, zest, verve, and high energy. The word was originally used to refer to a person ...
, and circumscribed the domain of the
supernatural Supernatural phenomena or entities are those beyond the Scientific law, laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin 'above, beyond, outside of' + 'nature'. Although the corollary term "nature" has had multiple meanin ...
. The next year he produced an edition of
John Dee John Dee (13 July 1527 – 1608 or 1609) was an English mathematician, astronomer, teacher, astrologer, occultist, and alchemist. He was the court astronomer for, and advisor to, Elizabeth I, and spent much of his time on alchemy, divination, ...
, portraying him as having had dealings with the Devil. The background is of orthodox Anglicans wishing to discredit the sectarian Protestants of the period; but also to validate the existence of spirits to
atheists Atheism, in the broadest sense, is an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly, atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist. In an even narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there no ...
. Casaubon was in touch with Nicholas Bernard about the Dee manuscript. Following the Restoration, Casaubon wrote supporting the traditional theories of
witchcraft Witchcraft is the use of Magic (supernatural), magic by a person called a witch. Traditionally, "witchcraft" means the use of magic to inflict supernatural harm or misfortune on others, and this remains the most common and widespread meanin ...
. He was in fact operating on several fronts: as well as attacking those who would deny the supernatural entirely, and limiting the role of reason in faith, he defended humanist learning against the claims for the new
natural philosophy Natural philosophy or philosophy of nature (from Latin ''philosophia naturalis'') is the philosophical study of physics, that is, nature and the physical universe, while ignoring any supernatural influence. It was dominant before the develop ...
, emanating from figures in the
Royal Society The Royal Society, formally The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, is a learned society and the United Kingdom's national academy of sciences. The society fulfils a number of roles: promoting science and its benefits, re ...
who saw it as completely replacing the old learning.


Benefices

*1626–1630: rector of Bleadon, Somerset *1628–1671: prebendal stall IX at Canterbury Cathedral *1630–1634: rector of St Mary in the Marsh, Kent *1634–1634: rector of Old Romney, Kent *1634–1662: vicar of Minster, Kent *1634–1662: vicar of Monkton with Birchington, Kent *1643/44: ejected from his benefices by Parliament *1660: reinstated to the living at Minster *1662–1671: rector of Ickham, Kent


Family

Casaubon married Frances Harrison of Hampshire in about 1628. His wife's grandfather was William Barlow, who had been a canon of
Winchester Cathedral The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity,Historic England. "Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity (1095509)". ''National Heritage List for England''. Retrieved 8 September 2014. Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Swithun, commonly known as Winches ...
since 1581. The couple had seven children, most of whom were born in
Canterbury Canterbury (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the county of Kent, England; it was a county borough until 1974. It lies on the River Stour, Kent, River Stour. The city has a mild oceanic climat ...
, but only two lived to maturity: * John Casaubon (1636-1692) was a country 'surgeon' who practised in and around the Canterbury area. He kept a diary of some of his cases and family matters. It ends with the self-diagnosis of the oesophageal cancer which finally caused his death. The diary is kept at Southampton Archives. * Anne Casaubon (c. 1649-1686) was the last child to be born. She married a country parson named John Dauling, who was also the executor of Casaubon's will. Frances Casaubon died on 24 February 1652 in London. Her poor health and death was one of the reasons Meric gave for not complying with Oliver Cromwell's request.


Works

* ''Pietas contra maledicos patrii Nominis et Religionis Hostes'' (1621) * ''Vindicatio Patris adversus Impostores'' (1624) * As translator: ''Marcus Aurelius Antoninus the Roman Emperor, his Meditations Concerning Himself'' (1634, 1673) * ''A treatise of use and custome'' (1638) * ''De quatuor linguis commentationis, pars prior: quae, de lingua Hebraica: et, de lingua Saxonica'' (1650) * ''A Treatise Concerning Enthusiasme'' (London: Thomas Johnson, 1655). * ''A Treatise Concerning Enthusiasme'', facsimile ed., introd. Paul J. Korshin, 1970, Scholars' Facsimiles & Reprints, . * ''A true and faithful relation of what passed for many years between Dr.
John Dee John Dee (13 July 1527 – 1608 or 1609) was an English mathematician, astronomer, teacher, astrologer, occultist, and alchemist. He was the court astronomer for, and advisor to, Elizabeth I, and spent much of his time on alchemy, divination, ...
and Some Spirits'' (1659) * ''Of the Necessity of Reformation'' (1664) * ''On Credulity and Incredulity in Things natural, civil and divine'' (1668) * ''A Letter of Meric Casaubon to Peter du Moulin Concerning Natural Experimental Philosophie'' (1669). Facsimile ed., introd. David J. Lougee, 1977, Scholars' Facsimiles & Reprints, . * ''A Treatise Proving Spirits, Witches, and Supernatural Operations, by Pregnant Instances and Evidences: Together with other Things worthy of Note'' (London: Brabazon Aylmer, 1672) * ''Generall Learning: A Seventeenth-Century Treatise on the Formation of the General Scholar'' (ed. Richard Serjeantson, 1999)


References


Works cited

* * * * *


Further reading

*


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Casaubon, Meric 1599 births 1671 deaths People from the Principality of Sedan Immigrants to the Kingdom of England 17th-century English scholars Classical scholars Canons of Canterbury People educated at Eton College Supporters of witch hunting Witch trials in France Writers from the Republic of Geneva