Thomas Denton, Immortality; or, The consolation of human life: A monody (1754). British Library, 2011. Courtesy Amazon.com.
Rev. Thomas Denton (1724 - 27 June 1777) was an English poet, clergyman, and miscellaneous writer.
Life[]
Denton was born at Seberham, Cumberland, in 1724. He was educated by Rev. Josiah Relph (whose poems he edited in 1747).[1]
He entered Queen's College, Oxford, earning a B.A. in 1745 and an M.A. in 1752.[1]
He became curate to the Rev. Dr. Graham at Arthuret and Kirk Andrews, Cumberland, and there privately printed a "local poem" called Gariston. In 1753 he became Graham's curate at Ashtead, Surrey. Here he recommended himself to an "old and infirm" Lady Widdrington, who persuaded Graham to resign the rectory in his favour. He was instituted as rector 14 November 1754. He married a Mrs. Clubbe, who had been companion to Lady Widdrington, and received a legacy from her mistress.[1]
Denton died at Ashtead, leaving a widow and 7 children. Lord Suffolk, the patron, gave the next presentation to his widow, and by judicious management she turned the gift into a "very comfortable annuity."[1]
Writing[]
Denton published:
- A manual of devotions called ‘Religious Retirement for One Day in Every Month,’ from John Gother, fitted for protestant readers.
- ‘Immortality, or the Consolation of Human Life, a Monody,’ 1754, reprinted in Dodsley's collection.
- ‘The House of Superstition: a Vision,’ 1762, prefixed to Gilpin's ‘Lives of the Reformers.’ Both poems are imitations of Spenser.[1]
Publications[]
Poetry[]
- Immortality; or, The consolation of human life: A monody. London: R. & J. Dodsley, 1754.
- The House of Superstition: A poem. London: J. Hinxman, 1762.
Non-fiction[]
- Religious Retirement for One Day in Every Month. London: J. Robson, 1768.
- The Prisoner Relieved! A sermon. London: J. Cooke, 1775.
Except where noted, bibliographical information courtesy WorldCat.[2]
See also[]
References[]
Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1888) "Denton, Thomas" Dictionary of National Biography 14 London: Smith, Elder, p. 380. Wikisourse, June 4, 2016.
Notes[]
External links[]
- Poems
- About
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain, the Dictionary of National Biography (edited by Leslie Stephen). London: Smith, Elder, 1885-1900. Original article is at: Denton, Thomas
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