Méric Casaubon
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Meric Casaubon (14 August 1599 in
Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaki ...
– 14 July 1671 in
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. ...
), 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 Fr ...
, was a French-English
classical scholar Classics or classical studies is the study of classical antiquity. In the Western world, classics traditionally refers to the study of Classical Greek and Roman literature and their related original languages, Ancient Greek and Latin. Classics ...
. He was the first to translate the ''
Meditations ''Meditations'' () is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the ''Meditations'' in Koine ...
'' of
Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (Latin: áːɾkus̠ auɾέːli.us̠ antɔ́ːni.us̠ English: ; 26 April 121 – 17 March 180) was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 AD and a Stoic philosopher. He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good ...
into English. Although biographical dictionaries (including the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' Eleventh Edition) commonly accentuate his name to Méric, he himself did not do so.


Life

He was born in
Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaki ...
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 Fr ...
; 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 in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. intended as a sister institution to King's College, C ...
and
Christ Church, Oxford Christ Church ( la, Ædes Christi, the temple or house, '' ædēs'', of Christ, and thus sometimes known as "The House") is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, the college is uniqu ...
(B.A. 1618; M.A. 1621; D.D. 1636). :s:Casaubon, Meric (DNB00)R. W. Serjeantson, 'Casaubon, (Florence Estienne) Meric (1599–1671)', ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 200

accessed 6 March 2010
His defence of his father against the attacks of certain
Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
s (''Pietas contra maledicos patrii Nominis et Religionis Hostes'', 1621), secured him the notice and favour of
James I James I may refer to: People *James I of Aragon (1208–1276) *James I of Sicily or James II of Aragon (1267–1327) *James I, Count of La Marche (1319–1362), Count of Ponthieu *James I, Count of Urgell (1321–1347) *James I of Cyprus (1334–13 ...
, who conferred upon him a
prebendal stall A prebendary is a member of the Roman Catholic or Anglican clergy, a form of canon with a role in the administration of a cathedral or collegiate church. When attending services, prebendaries sit in particular seats, usually at the back of the ...
in
Canterbury Cathedral Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. It forms part of a World Heritage Site. It is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, currently Justin Welby, leader of the ...
(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 (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 ...
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 politician and military officer who is widely regarded as one of the most important statesmen in English history. He came to prominence during the 1639 to 1651 Wars of the Three Ki ...
, 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 Swedish or ' may refer to: Anything from or related to Sweden, a country in Northern Europe. Or, specifically: * Swedish language, a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Sweden and Finland ** Swedish alphabet, the official alphabet used by ...
universities offered him by Queen Christina. After the
Restoration Restoration is the act of restoring something to its original state and may refer to: * Conservation and restoration of cultural heritage ** Audio restoration ** Film restoration ** Image restoration ** Textile restoration * Restoration ecology ...
, 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 author and collector and a canon of Canterbury Cathedral.''Under the Sign: John Bargrave as Collector, Traveler, and Witness'' by Stephen Bann, Michigan, 1995 Early life Bargrave was born in K ...
. Meric 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 AD 161 to 180, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the ''Meditations'' in Koine ...
'' of
Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (Latin: áːɾkus̠ auɾέːli.us̠ antɔ́ːni.us̠ English: ; 26 April 121 – 17 March 180) was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 AD and a Stoic philosopher. He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good ...
, 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 William Somner (1598–1669) was an English antiquarian scholar, the author of the first dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon language. Life He was baptised in the church of St. Margaret, Canterbury, on 5 November 1598, but according to a statement of ...
.
Edward Stillingfleet Edward Stillingfleet (17 April 1635 – 27 March 1699) was a British Christian theologian and scholar. Considered an outstanding preacher as well as a strong polemical writer defending Anglicanism, Stillingfleet was known as "the beauty of holin ...
, whom Casaubon admired, bought many of his books, which are now in Archbishop
Marsh's Library Marsh's Library, situated in St. Patrick's Close, adjacent to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland is a well-preserved library of the late Renaissance and early Enlightenment. When it opened to the public in 1707 it was the first public li ...
, Dublin. Some other volumes from his library came into Canterbury Cathedral Library through
William Somner William Somner (1598–1669) was an English antiquarian scholar, the author of the first dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon language. Life He was baptised in the church of St. Margaret, Canterbury, on 5 November 1598, but according to a statement of ...
.


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 and high energy. The word was originally used to refer to a person possessed by G ...
, and circumscribed the domain of the
supernatural Supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin (above, beyond, or outside of) + (nature) Though the corollary term "nature", has had multiple meanings si ...
. The next year he produced an edition of John Dee, portraying him as having 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. Casaubon was in touch with
Nicholas Bernard Nicholas Bernard (c. 1600–1661) was an Anglican priest and author during the 17th century. A dean in Ireland at the time of the Rebellion of 1641, he wrote descriptions of current events. He was also the biographer of James Ussher. Biogra ...
about the Dee manuscript. Following the Restoration, Casaubon wrote supporting the traditional theories of
witchcraft Witchcraft traditionally means the use of magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have us ...
. 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 Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior throu ...
, 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 *1643/1644 : ejected from his benefices by Parliament *1660 : reinstated to the living at Minster *1662–1671 : rector of Ickham, Kent


Family

Meric Casaubon married Frances Harrison of Hampshire in about 1628. His wife's grandfather was William Barlow, who had been a canon of Winchester Cathedral since 1581. The couple had seven children, most of whom were born in Canterbury, 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 Meric 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 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 Peter du Moulin (1601–1684) was a French-English Anglican clergyman, son of the Huguenot pastor Pierre du Moulin and brother of Lewis du Moulin. He was the anonymous author of ''Regii sanguinis clamor ad coelum adversus paricidas Anglicanos'', ...
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)


Notes


References

* * *R. W. Serjeantson, 'Casaubon, (Florence Estienne) Meric (1599–1671)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 200
accessed 8 Feb 2009
*Ryan Stark, ''Rhetoric, Science, and Magic in Seventeenth-Century England'' (Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 2009), 146–73.


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Casaubon, Meric 1599 births 1671 deaths Canons of Canterbury British classical scholars English people of French descent French classical scholars People educated at Eton College Writers from the Republic of Geneva Supporters of witch hunting Witch trials in France