John Wilkins, scholar, Bishop of Chester
Renaissance Man.
Not all of the men who contributed to the development of the sciences and academics were great inventors. Some had other talents that encouraged growth of knowledge in the 16th and 17th centuries. After the Fall of the Roman Empire and during the period from the 5th to 15th centuries, there was a time of little learning. It was known as the “Dark Ages”. Then came a time known as the Renaissance, the time when men rediscovered classical literature, arts and culture.
One of the men who played an important role in this Renaissance was John Wilkins, a mathematician, a polymath who had a large body of learning from many different disciplines. Born in Oxford, the son of a goldsmith, Wilkins was educated at Oxford schools, and was ordained an Anglican clergyman in 1838. Ten years later, he was appointed Warden of Wadham College at Oxford. The college thrived under Wilkins’ leadership for he encouraged both religious and political tolerance. He played an important role in guiding the Church into inclusiveness. At the abrupt change of government in 1650, he was ejected from his appointed position. Yet he carried on.
Wilkins once wrote “It behoves everyone in search of Truth, always to preserve a philosophical liberty; not to be enslaved to the opinion of any man, as to think whatever he says to be infallible. We must labour to find out what things are in themselves by our own experiences ... not what another says of them. And if in such an impartial enquiry, we chance to light upon a new way, and that which is besides the common road, this is neither our fault, nor our unhappiness.”
Gilbert Burnet – author, philosopher, historian, Bishop of Salisbury – said “John Wilkins is the wisest clergyman I know.” Wisdom was a valued asset in those turbulent times.
In 1656, in his typical spirit of inclusiveness, Wilkins married Robina Cromwell, youngest sister of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell who had supervised the beheading of King Charles I. College wardens were required to be ordained and were not supposed to marry! In spite of that, Cromwell appointed his new brother-in-law as Master of Trinity College in Cambridge, making him the only person to hold such positions at both of England’s famous universities, and be politically removed from both. After the Restoration of Charles II, Wilkins was ejected from the Trinity College position, but later won the King’s favour and was made Bishop of Chester.
Wilkins’ wide range of interests led him to meet frequently with like-minded men of learning. In 1650, he was part of the Oxford Philosophical Club. The result of these meetings was the founding of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, a prestigious organization that still exists today. This important group of founders (which included such famous names as Christopher Wren, Robert Boyle and John Evelyn) encouraged scientific experiments and the development of inventions. Wilkins wrote several books, including The Discovery of a World in the Moone and A Discovery concerning a New Planet. His writings supported the beliefs of Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo. He also wrote a book of codes and ciphers called Mercury, or the Secret and Swift Message. Another book had to be completely rewritten after it was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, along with his vicarage, library and scientific instruments! Once again, he carried on in a new role as Bishop of Chester.
John Wilkins was definitely a Renaissance man, one to be emulated especially today.