Alexander Geddes

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(New page: The grave of Rev Alexander Geddes, St Marys Paddington '''Alexander Geddes''' (14 September 1737 &nd...)
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[[Image:The grave of Rev Alexander Geddes, St Marys Paddington.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|The grave of Rev Alexander Geddes, St Marys Paddington]]
[[Image:The grave of Rev Alexander Geddes, St Marys Paddington.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|The grave of Rev Alexander Geddes, St Marys Paddington]]
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'''Alexander Geddes''' (14 September 1737 &ndash; 26 February 1802) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] theologian and scholar.<ref>According to ''The Cambridge history of eighteenth-century philosophy'' Geddes "was one of the great literary and biblical scholars of his day". (Cambridge University Press, 2006, p. 704)</ref>
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'''Alexander Geddes''' (14 September 1737 &ndash; 26 February 1802) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] theologian and scholar.
He was born at [[Rathven, Banffshire|Rathven]], [[Banffshire]], of [[Roman Catholic]] parentage, and educated for the priesthood at the local seminary of [[Scalan]], and at [[Paris]]; he became a priest in his native county.
He was born at [[Rathven, Banffshire|Rathven]], [[Banffshire]], of [[Roman Catholic]] parentage, and educated for the priesthood at the local seminary of [[Scalan]], and at [[Paris]]; he became a priest in his native county.
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His translation of the ''Satires'' of [[Horace]] made him known as a scholar, but his [[liberalism]] led to his suspension. He then went to [[London]], where he became known to [[Robert Petre, 9th Baron Petre|Baron Petre]], who enabled him to proceed with a new translation of the [[Bible]] for English Roman Catholics, which he carried on as far as the Book of Second Chronicles and the Prayer of Manasseh which was published in 2 volumes (1792–1797). A translation of ''[[Psalms]]'' was published in 1807.
His translation of the ''Satires'' of [[Horace]] made him known as a scholar, but his [[liberalism]] led to his suspension. He then went to [[London]], where he became known to [[Robert Petre, 9th Baron Petre|Baron Petre]], who enabled him to proceed with a new translation of the [[Bible]] for English Roman Catholics, which he carried on as far as the Book of Second Chronicles and the Prayer of Manasseh which was published in 2 volumes (1792–1797). A translation of ''[[Psalms]]'' was published in 1807.
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This was followed by ''Critical Remarks on the Hebrew Scriptures'' (1800), in which he largely anticipated the German school of [[Higher Criticism]].<ref>Cf. [[Reginald C. Fuller]], ''Alexander Geddes: A Pioneer of Biblical Criticism, 1737-1802'', Toronto 1984, ISBN 0-907459-26-9).</ref> The result of this publication was Geddes's suspension from all ecclesiastical functions.
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This was followed by ''Critical Remarks on the Hebrew Scriptures'' (1800), in which he largely anticipated the German school of [[Higher Criticism]]. The result of this publication was Geddes's suspension from all ecclesiastical functions.
Geddes was also a [[poet]], and wrote ''Linton: a Tweedside Pastoral'', ''Carmen Seculare pro Gallica Gente'' (1790), in  praise of the [[French Revolution]].
Geddes was also a [[poet]], and wrote ''Linton: a Tweedside Pastoral'', ''Carmen Seculare pro Gallica Gente'' (1790), in  praise of the [[French Revolution]].

Revision as of 15:07, 8 March 2016

The grave of Rev Alexander Geddes, St Marys Paddington
The grave of Rev Alexander Geddes, St Marys Paddington

Alexander Geddes (14 September 1737 – 26 February 1802) was a Scottish theologian and scholar.

He was born at Rathven, Banffshire, of Roman Catholic parentage, and educated for the priesthood at the local seminary of Scalan, and at Paris; he became a priest in his native county.

His translation of the Satires of Horace made him known as a scholar, but his liberalism led to his suspension. He then went to London, where he became known to Baron Petre, who enabled him to proceed with a new translation of the Bible for English Roman Catholics, which he carried on as far as the Book of Second Chronicles and the Prayer of Manasseh which was published in 2 volumes (1792–1797). A translation of Psalms was published in 1807.

This was followed by Critical Remarks on the Hebrew Scriptures (1800), in which he largely anticipated the German school of Higher Criticism. The result of this publication was Geddes's suspension from all ecclesiastical functions.

Geddes was also a poet, and wrote Linton: a Tweedside Pastoral, Carmen Seculare pro Gallica Gente (1790), in praise of the French Revolution.

He died without recanting, but received absolution at the hands of a French priest, though public mass for his soul was forbidden by the ecclesiastical powers.

He is buried next to the south-east corner of St. Mary's Church in Paddington, London.

Publications

  • The Holy Bible, or the Books accounted sacred by Jews and Christians, otherwise called the books of the Old and New Covenant; faithfully translated from corrected texts of the originals. With various readings, explanatory notes, and critical remarks. By Alexander Geddes. (J. Davis, London. 1797).
  • English translations of Homer

External links

  • A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

References

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