Alexander Geddes
Encyclopedia
Alexander Geddes was a Scottish
theologian and scholar.
He was born at Ruthven
, Banffshire
, of Roman Catholic parentage, and educated for the priesthood at the local seminary of Scalan
, and at Paris
; he became a priest in his native county.
His translation of the Satires of Horace
made him known as a scholar, but his liberalism
led to his suspension. He then went to London
, where he became known to Baron Petre, who enabled him to proceed with a new translation of the Bible
for English Roman Catholics, which he carried on as far as the Book of Second Chronicles and the Prayer of Manasseh which was published in 2 volumes (1792–1797). A translation of Psalms
was published in 1807.
This was followed by Critical Remarks on the Hebrew Scriptures (1800), in which he largely anticipated the German school of Higher Criticism. The result of this publication was Geddes's suspension from all ecclesiastical functions.
Geddes was also a poet
, and wrote Linton: a Tweedside Pastoral, Carmen Seculare pro Gallica Gente (1790), in praise of the French Revolution
.
He died without recanting, but received absolution at the hands of a French priest, though public mass for his soul was forbidden by the ecclesiastical powers.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
theologian and scholar.
He was born at Ruthven
Ruthven
-Places:In Scotland:*Ruthven, Aberdeenshire*Ruthven, Angus*Ruthven Castle, Angus*Ruthven, Highland*Ruthven Barracks, Highland*Ruthven Castle, also known as Huntingtower Castle, north of Perth*Loch Ruthven, nature reserve to the south west of Inverness...
, Banffshire
Banffshire
The County of Banff is a registration county for property, and Banffshire is a Lieutenancy area of Scotland.The County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, was a local government county of Scotland with its own county council between 1890 and 1975. The county town was Banff although the largest...
, of Roman Catholic parentage, and educated for the priesthood at the local seminary of Scalan
Scalan
The Scalan was once a seminary and was one of the few places in Scotland where the Roman Catholic faith was kept alive during the troubled times of the 18th century. For much of the 18th century, the college at Scalan in the Braes of Glenlivet was the only place in Scotland where young men were...
, and at Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
; he became a priest in his native county.
His translation of the Satires of Horace
Horace
Quintus Horatius Flaccus , known in the English-speaking world as Horace, was the leading Roman lyric poet during the time of Augustus.-Life:...
made him known as a scholar, but his liberalism
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
led to his suspension. He then went to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he became known to Baron Petre, who enabled him to proceed with a new translation of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
for English Roman Catholics, which he carried on as far as the Book of Second Chronicles and the Prayer of Manasseh which was published in 2 volumes (1792–1797). A translation of Psalms
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
was published in 1807.
This was followed by Critical Remarks on the Hebrew Scriptures (1800), in which he largely anticipated the German school of Higher Criticism. The result of this publication was Geddes's suspension from all ecclesiastical functions.
Geddes was also a poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, and wrote Linton: a Tweedside Pastoral, Carmen Seculare pro Gallica Gente (1790), in praise of the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
.
He died without recanting, but received absolution at the hands of a French priest, though public mass for his soul was forbidden by the ecclesiastical powers.
Publications
- The Holy Bible, or the Books accounted sacred by Jews and Christians, otherwise called the books of the Old and New CovenantNew CovenantThe New Covenant is a concept originally derived from the Hebrew Bible. The term "New Covenant" is used in the Bible to refer to an epochal relationship of restoration and peace following a period of trial and judgment...
; faithfully translated from corrected texts of the originals. With various readings, explanatory notes, and critical remarks. By Alexander Geddes. (J. Davis, London. 1797). - English translations of Homer
External links
- " Geddes, Alexander (1737-1802)," from Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th Edition, 1911 (Online Encyclopedia asserted to have scanning errors, like LoveToKnow below). Site © 2006 - Net Industries.
- Alexander Geddes (LoveToKnow's Free Online Encyclopedia, © 2003, 2004 LoveToKnow.)
- History of Biblical Criticism (Higher)
- Geddes Bible Editions