John Earle
John Earle was an English author and cleric born around 1600 in York, England. He was educated at Christ Church College, Oxford, where he earned his M.A. in 1624 and later a doctorate of divinity in 1640. Earle is best known for his work "Micro-Cosmographie: Or, A Peece of the World, Discovered in Essayes and Characters," published in 1628, which offered character sketches that were both popular and reflective of the era's interest in human nature. His literary style was marked by a subtle and sympathetic approach to character portrayal, distinguishing him from other writers of his time.
Throughout his career, Earle held various prestigious positions, including university proctor, chancellor's chaplain, and ultimately, roles within the Church of England, such as dean of Westminster and bishop of Worcester and Salisbury. His influence extended to royal circles when he was appointed tutor to the prince of Wales. Earle’s life was not without challenges; he spent the 1650s in exile due to political upheaval. He passed away in 1665, leaving behind a legacy as a thoughtful observer of society through his writings.
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Subject Terms
John Earle
Bishop
- Born: c. 1600
- Birthplace: York, England
- Died: November 17, 1665
- Place of death: Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Biography
John Earle was born in York, England, around 1600. Earle’s father was an administrator in the York archbishop’s court. Earle attended Christ Church College, at Oxford University, and he received an M.A. in 1624 from Merton College, Oxford. In 1628, Earle published Micro-Cosmographie: Or, A Peece of the World, Discovered in Essayes and Characters.
In 1631, Earle became a university proctor at Oxford University. He moved on to be the chancellor’s chaplain, a position that permitted him to live at court. By 1639, he resided at the rectory of Bishopston, Wiltshire. Earle earned a doctorate of divinity from Oxford in 1640.
Through well-placed connections, the king named Earle a tutor for the prince of Wales in 1641. In 1643, Earle was nominated to the Westminster assembly and became chancellor of Salisbury Cathedral in 1644.
Earle spent the 1650’s in exile, but in 1660 he was named dean of Westminster. In 1662, Earle became bishop of Worcester, and in 1663 he became bishop of Salisbury. Earle died in 1665. Earle’s Micro-Cosmographie was published anonymously. It appeared at a time when character sketches were popular works. Character writers like Earle provided a certain amount of stereotype of different subjects. Earle, however, was noted for the subtle handling of his descriptions and the sympathetic portrayal of many characters.