Doctor Gilbert Burnet (1643-1715)
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Doctor Gilbert Burnet was a Scottish theologian, writer, academic and historian, and Bishop of Salisbury. He was fluent in Dutch, French, Latin, Greek and Hebrew.
Macaulay's remarks on Doctor Burnet in relation to the king he served, William of Orange:
When the doctor took liberties, which was not seldom the case, his patron became more than usually cold and sullen, and sometimes uttered a short dry sarcasm which would have struck dumb any person of ordinary assurance. In spite of such occurrences, however, the amity between this singular pair continued, with some temporary interruptions, till it was dissolved by death. Indeed it was not easy to wound Burnet's feelings. His self-complacency, his animal spirits, and his want of tact, were such that, though he frequently gave offence, he never took it.
—Thomas Babington Macaulay, History of England, Vol. 2, Ch 7
Macaulay's remarks on Doctor Burnet in relation to the king he served, William of Orange:
When the doctor took liberties, which was not seldom the case, his patron became more than usually cold and sullen, and sometimes uttered a short dry sarcasm which would have struck dumb any person of ordinary assurance. In spite of such occurrences, however, the amity between this singular pair continued, with some temporary interruptions, till it was dissolved by death. Indeed it was not easy to wound Burnet's feelings. His self-complacency, his animal spirits, and his want of tact, were such that, though he frequently gave offence, he never took it.
—Thomas Babington Macaulay, History of England, Vol. 2, Ch 7
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At the University of Aberdeen, Burnet earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy at the age of thirteen. He then studied theology. After that, he spent several years travelling in England, the Dutch Republic and France. He studied Hebrew under a Rabbi in Amsterdam. By 1665 he returned to Scotland and was ordained.
In 1685, after King James II was crowned, Burnet went travelling abroad again. He travelled through France and Switzerland to Italy, where the Pope offered him an audience, but Burnet declined because he couldn't speak Italian well enough. After travelling for months across France, Switzerland and Germany he arrived in the Dutch Republic in May 1686.
William and Mary invited him to take up residence at The Hague. This infuriated James II and he had Burnet dismissed from court but Burnet still kept in contact with William and Mary. In 1687, Burnet again upset James by becoming engaged to the wealthy heiress Mary Scott (Burnet's first wife had died in 1685). James prosecuted Burnet for high treason in Scotland, accusing him of corresponding with the Earl of Argyll and others convicted of high treason.
In 1685, after King James II was crowned, Burnet went travelling abroad again. He travelled through France and Switzerland to Italy, where the Pope offered him an audience, but Burnet declined because he couldn't speak Italian well enough. After travelling for months across France, Switzerland and Germany he arrived in the Dutch Republic in May 1686.
William and Mary invited him to take up residence at The Hague. This infuriated James II and he had Burnet dismissed from court but Burnet still kept in contact with William and Mary. In 1687, Burnet again upset James by becoming engaged to the wealthy heiress Mary Scott (Burnet's first wife had died in 1685). James prosecuted Burnet for high treason in Scotland, accusing him of corresponding with the Earl of Argyll and others convicted of high treason.
To protect Burnet, the ruling body of the Dutch Republic gave him Dutch citizenship and James's request for Burnet's extradition was declined. Burnet and Mary Scott were married and the marriage proved to be a happy one. Burnet quickly became the proud father of an increasing family.
Because Burnet was apparently unable to keep a secret, he was not informed of William's planned invasion of England until July 1688. However, his help was needed to translate William's Declaration, which was to be distributed in England after his landing. When William's fleet set sail for England in October 1688, Burnet was made William's chaplain. On 11 April 1689, when William and Mary were crowned, Burnet was appointed to preach the coronation sermon.
On Easter 1689, Burnet became Bishop of Salisbury and three days later was sworn in as Chancellor of the Order of the Garter. His term of office as bishop is noted for his liberal views and zealous discharge of his duties.
Because Burnet was apparently unable to keep a secret, he was not informed of William's planned invasion of England until July 1688. However, his help was needed to translate William's Declaration, which was to be distributed in England after his landing. When William's fleet set sail for England in October 1688, Burnet was made William's chaplain. On 11 April 1689, when William and Mary were crowned, Burnet was appointed to preach the coronation sermon.
On Easter 1689, Burnet became Bishop of Salisbury and three days later was sworn in as Chancellor of the Order of the Garter. His term of office as bishop is noted for his liberal views and zealous discharge of his duties.