Lowth, Robert, 1710-1787

Robert Lowth was born in England on November 27, 1710, the youngest son of Dr. and Mrs. William Lowth. He entered Winchester College in 1722 and received a scholarship to New College, Oxford, in 1729. Lowth graduated from Oxford taking the B.A. in 1733 and the M.A. in 1737. In 1735 Lowth had entered the Anglican Church and was appointed vicar of Overton, Hampshire. He remained at this position until 1741 when he was appointed professor of poetry at Oxford. During his tenure at Oxford, Lowth acquired a notable reputation for his lectures on Hebrew poetry. These lectures were the basis for his work "Praelectiones Academicae de Sacra Poesi Hebraeorum" which was published in 1753. Owing to this publication, Oxford University awarded him a D.D. in 1754. In 1750 he was appointed archdeacon of Winchester and rector of East Woodhay in 1753. At this time he resigned the professorship of poetry at Oxford. Lowth married Mary, daughter of Lawrence Jackson of Christ-Church, Hamptonshire, in 1752. He became a fellow of the Royal Societies of London and Gottingen in 1765. He was consecrated bishop of St. Davids in 1766, however, before the end of the year he was transferred to the see of Oxford. He remained there until 1777 when he was created Bishop of London as well as dean of the chapel royal and privy councillor. In 1783 he was offered the archbishopric of Canterbury which he declind due to failing health. Lowth died on November 3, 1787.

From the description of Robert Lowth letter, 1781 Feb. 9. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122570902

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