Hervey, James, 1714-1758

James Hervey (1714-1758) was born and brought up in Northamptonshire where his father was a village clergyman. He entered Lincoln College, Oxford at the age of 18 and graduated with a B.A. in 1736 after a not very distinguished career. Following several minor clerical appointments in 1740 he became the curate of Bideford, North Devon, where he started work on the drafts of his famous Meditations and Reflections . The latter works appeared in 1745-1746, to be followed in 1747 by his Contemplation upon the night and other works. For further details of his life see the Dictionary of National Biography.

From the guide to the Drafts of Meditations among the tombs, and Reflections on a flower-garden, with miscellaneous other material, by James Hervey, ca. 1740, (Leeds University Library)

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