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William Wake: A Pillar of Faith and Scholarship

An exploration of the life, ecclesiastical career, scholarly contributions, and legacy of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

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Life and Early Career

Birth and Education

William Wake was born on 26 January 1657 in Blandford Forum, Dorset, England. He received his foundational education at Christ Church, Oxford, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous academic standards.

Diplomatic Service in Paris

In 1682, Wake embarked on a significant chapter of his life, traveling to Paris as the chaplain to the ambassador, Richard Graham, Viscount Preston. This period allowed him to engage deeply with French ecclesiastical affairs and scholars, fostering a broader perspective on religious matters.

Early Clerical Appointments

Upon his return to England in 1685, Wake's career advanced steadily. He served as a preacher at Gray's Inn in 1688, followed by a canonry at Christ Church, Oxford, in 1689. In 1693, he assumed the significant role of rector of St James's Church, Piccadilly, a prominent London parish.

Ecclesiastical Ascendancy

Progression Through the Church

Wake's dedication and intellect propelled him through the ranks of the Church of England. He became Dean of Exeter in 1703, demonstrating his administrative capabilities. Subsequently, in 1705, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Lincoln, a significant episcopal see.

Appointment as Archbishop

In 1716, William Wake achieved the pinnacle of his ecclesiastical career when he was translated to the see of Canterbury, succeeding Thomas Tenison. This appointment, though supported by Tenison, faced initial reluctance from Queen Anne, who reportedly distrusted Tenison's judgment in such matters.

Diplomatic and Tolerant Leadership

As Archbishop, Wake engaged in significant diplomatic efforts, notably negotiating with French churchmen in 1718 regarding a potential union of the Gallican and English churches to counter Roman Catholic influence. He also demonstrated tolerance towards Nonconformism, advocating for revisions to the Book of Common Prayer to address the concerns of dissenters.

Scholarly Works and Influence

Major Theological Writings

Wake authored numerous significant works. His most notable publication is the State of the Church and Clergy of England... historically deduced (1703). This extensive work served as a robust defense of Anglican Orders and systematically refuted the historical claims of the "Nag's Head Fable."

Defense Against Opposition

The State of the Church and Clergy was written, in part, as a response to the "high church" opposition that challenged the perceived Erastian policies of King William and Archbishop Tenison. Wake's scholarship provided a strong theological and historical foundation for his arguments.

Bequest of Collections

Scholarly Bequests

Upon his death, William Wake bequeathed his extensive personal collections to Christ Church, Oxford. These included valuable printed books, significant manuscripts, and a collection of coins, enriching the university's resources for future generations of scholars.

Manuscript Treasures

Among the bequeathed manuscripts were 31 bound volumes of Wake's own correspondence, offering invaluable insights into his life and times. Notably, the collection also contained important New Testament minuscule manuscripts (73, 74, 506-520), which had arrived from Constantinople around 1731.

Enduring Legacy

Archbishop and Scholar

William Wake served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1716 until his death in 1737. His tenure was marked by both administrative leadership within the Church of England and significant scholarly contributions that continue to be referenced in historical and theological studies.

Family Connections

He was the grandfather of Etheldred Benett, a notable English geologist, highlighting the continuation of intellectual pursuits through his lineage.

Biographical Details

The Most Reverend and Right Honourable

William Wake
Archbishop of Canterbury
Portrait of William Wake
Portrait by Thomas Gibson
Church Church of England
Diocese Canterbury
In office 1716โ€“1737
Predecessor Thomas Tenison
Successor John Potter
Previous post(s) Dean of Exeter (1703โ€“1705)
Bishop of Lincoln (1705โ€“1716)
Orders
Consecration 21 October 1705
by Thomas Tenison
Personal details
Born (1657-01-26) 26 January 1657
Blandford Forum, Dorset, England
Died 24 January 1737 (aged 79)
Lambeth Palace
Buried Croydon Minster
Nationality English
Denomination Anglican
Alma mater Christ Church, Oxford

Associated Roles

Notes and References

Source Citations

The information presented here is derived from the Wikipedia article on William Wake. Specific details are supported by citations to reliable sources, including historical texts and academic publications.

  1. Chisholm 1911.
  2. Private collection details regarding New Testament minuscules.
  3. Joseph Hirst Lupton, Archbishop Wake and the Project of Union, 1896.
  4. Norman Sykes, William Wake: Archbishop of Canterbury, 1657โ€“1737.
  5. Christ Church Library and Archives, "William Wake Microfilms".
  6. Gregory, Caspar Renรฉ (1900). Textkritik des Neuen Testaments, Vol. 1. Leipzig. p. 197.

External Resources

Further information and primary source materials related to William Wake can be found through various online archives and digital libraries.

  • 1911 Encyclopรฆdia Britannica article on William Wake
  • Dictionary of National Biography entry
  • William Wake Microfilms at Christ Church
  • Works by William Wake at Project Gutenberg
  • Works by or about William Wake at Internet Archive
  • Works by William Wake at LibriVox ๐Ÿ”Š
  • William Wake (1657-1737) on Wikisource

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References

References

  1.  In his private collection he had f.e. minuscules 73, 74.
  2.  Joseph Hirst Lupton, Archbishop Wake and the Project of Union, 1896
A full list of references for this article are available at the William Wake Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

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