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 Thomas Fuller (1608-1661)English clergyman and author ("one of the most witty and prolific authors of the 17th century"). He was the son of a clergyman of the same name. After being educated at Queen's College, he became the curate of a church in Cambridge, where he served faithfully for many years. In 1634 he became rector of Broadwinsor, Dorsetshire. His first book of sermons, Joseph's Party-Coloured Coat (1640), is distinguished by the conceits and wit characteristic of the sermons of this period. Achieving great repute in the pulpit, in 1641 he was appointed preacher at the Chapel Royal, Savoy, London, where he preached in favor of the signing of articles of peace by both Royalists and Parliamentarians in the Great Rebellion. But later Oliver Cromwell's ascendancy suggested to Fuller, who held Royalist views, that it would be advisable to leave London for Oxford. In 1643 he joined the forces of Charles I, king of England, at Oxford, as chaplain to one of its regiments. During this period he collected the materials for The Church History of Britain from the Birth of Christ Until the Year 1648 (1655) and for The Worthies of England, a valuable source of antiquarian information, published posthumously in 1662. Fuller is more known for his historical writings than theological ones. His 3 volume History of the Church in Britain is highly regarded. He is probably better known for his 3 volume set entitled The Worthies of England, and his Good Thoughts in Evil Times. None of these are currently in print, however. |