This monograph describes the life and work of Thomas Hearne (1678-1735), learned Oxford scholar, diarist, bibliographer, historical antiquary, publisher and editor. Hearne worked at the centre of English intellectual life in the early eighteenth century. A nonjuror and jacobite, he was a colourful and controversial figure who has drawn much comment from scholars of various disciplines up to this day. Hearne is as renowned for his observations of English academic life and manners in the Augustan Age (in 145 diary volumes of ‘Remarks and Collections’) as for his invaluable series of publications of the sources of English medieval and Reformation history. This study creates a full portrait of Hearne based on all the manuscript sources available today, including the diaries, the collection of books and manuscripts and the wide correspondence with eminent men of the time. This appraisal adds to our understanding of Hearne in the context of his time, and shows modern scholarship’s great indebtedness to his scholarly achievements. Antiquarianism in the Augustan Age forms a significant contribution to modern studies of eighteenth-century politics and religion, English history and historiography, and the rich tradition of antiquarianism. Contents: General Background 1688-1735 - Nonjuror and Diarist - Bookman - Antiquary - Publisher and Editor - Epilogue: ‘In Closet Close Y-pent’ - Hearne’s Published and Unpublished Texts: a Select Bibliography.
…an important and thorough study of a many-sided and controversial figure. […] The book does full justice to the varied aspects of Hearne’s life and writings; …there is much interesting detail about Hearne as a collector and editor; and hisuse of sources, together with his working methods in general, are carefully scrutinized in this highly scholarly, informative study, of which even the demanding Thomas Hearne would surely have approved. (Northern History)
Harmsen has done a valuable service in presenting and fully describing the world of Augustan bibliophiles and antiquarians associated with Hearne. This is a dense book, teeming with names, facts and anecdotes. (Geoffrey Scott, English Studies)