John Partridge (astrologer)

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John Partridge , born as John Hewson (born January 18, 1644 in East Sheen , a modern suburb of London , † June 24, 1715 in Mortlake , London) was an English astrologer .

As the author and editor of the astrological predictions Almanac Merlinus Liberatus , which was very popular in London society, Partridge achieved high circulation and was despised by the scientific establishment. If astrology was understood as a serious science well into the 17th century, it was increasingly questioned in the Age of Enlightenment and viewed as an irrational, outdated superstition . Partridge became known beyond the readership of his popular astrological calendars and almanacs because Jonathan Swift (under the pseudonym Isaac Bickerstaff ) published a similar almanac in 1708 as an allegedly rival astrologer colleague in which he satirically predicted Partridge's imminent death and Partridge publicly Exposed to ridicule.

life and work

There is no doubt that his maiden name was John Hewson until he renamed himself John Partridge. He came from a poor background and initially worked as a cobbler in his hometown of Covent Garden . In 1678 he settled in London as an astrologer after having taught himself sufficient Latin, Greek and Hebrew in self-study. A previous study of physics, astrophysics and astrology that can be read in some biographies is not verifiable. Whether Partridge was also a doctor ("Medicina Doctor") , as can be seen from his epitaph , after he studied medicine at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands from 1678 and received a degree in 1680, is also denied by most biographers such as the paperless claim that he was sworn in as a doctor at the court of James II in 1682 and later became the personal physician of Queen Maria II . Otherwise there is no evidence that he would have practiced. Nevertheless Partridge called himself Physician to his Majesty at that time .

In 1680 Patridge, who was a student of John Gadbury and is said to have introduced the placidian doctrine in England, published his first almanac Merlinus Liberatus , with which he imitated the popular astrological publications by William Lilly ( Lilly's Merlinus Anglicus ), which was very popular at the time . His writing also became a success in London society, which loved these astrological almanacs, especially since Partridge had also adopted Lilly's tendency to publish very specific, often spectacular prophecies, such as the impending death of well-known personalities. In doing so, he aroused the interest of his readership, who bought his writings regardless of the fact that his predictions rarely came true. Over the years, Partridge made a fortune with these writings, despite the fact that by doing so he exposed himself to ridicule in scientific circles and was in danger of prosecution for King James I enacted a law in 1604 that soothsayers and astrologers in the case of fraudulent people Actions to be punished. Lilly had already been convicted under this law several times.

Because of his involvement in the Protestant workers' party Whig Party and his anti-papist sentiments, he is said to have been forced by the avowed Catholic James II to flee to Holland , where he went into hiding under the name of John Wildfowl. Other biographers assume that his taking up residence in the Netherlands had more to do with legislation. The exact period and the exact circumstances of his exile are not known; According to Knappich, he is said to have returned to his home country in 1689 with the beginning of the rule of William of Orange .

When Partridge again predicted the deaths of well-known personalities in his 1708 edition of the Almanch and also described the Anglican Church as "infallible" in Partridge's advice to the Protestants of England , Jonathan Swift decided to who was also convinced that such prophecies encouraged the prevailing popular superstition to frighten it in a satirical and biting way and to deride it drastically.

Under the pseudonym Isaac Bickerstaff and as an allegedly rival astrologer, he now predicted Partridge's death and followed up the prophecy with pamphlets and an elegy . Partridge was deeply affected by this joke. After trying in vain to defend himself in various writings, he did not publish anything, although the almanacs were continued by the publisher until 1783 under his name ( etiam mortuus loquitur ) by the Stationers' Company . Only in the year of his death did he publish The last will and testament of John Partridge , in which he again complained bitterly about Swift's satire.

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ See among others William Alfred Eddy: The Wits vs. John Partridge, Astrologer , p. 29, footnote 1
  2. ^ Charles Henry Timperley: A dictionary of printers and printing. H. Johnson, 1839. pp. 610 f.
  3. ^ The Gentlemen's Magazine, London, 1785 p. 107
  4. ↑ a b c Wilhelm Knappich: History of Astrology . P. 283
  5. ^ Studies in English literature , 1500-1900, Volume 1, p. 40
  6. ^ The Gentlemen's Magazine, London, 1785
personal data
SURNAME Partridge, John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Hewson, John (maiden name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION English astrologer
DATE OF BIRTH January 18, 1644
PLACE OF BIRTH East Sheen
DATE OF DEATH June 24, 1715
Place of death Mortlake , London