John Bond (classicist)
Encyclopedia
John Bond was an English physician and classical scholar who also served twice as Member of Parliament
(MP) for Taunton
.
Born at Trull in Somerset
and educated at Winchester College
and New College, Oxford
, he became a Master of Arts in 1579 and soon afterwards was appointed Master of the Free School at Taunton
(an appointment in the gift of New College). Although unqualified in medicine, he also began to practise as a doctor, and became highly respected as a physician. He came to be more noted, however, for the commentaries he published on classical literature, notably that on Horace
which subsequently were included in many European editions of the poet's works; also important was his Commentaries on Persius, published after his death by his son-in-law.
Bond was elected MP for Taunton in the parliaments of 1601 and 1604–1611, and it is considered likely also that he was the John Bond who was chief secretary to the Lord Chancellor
, Sir Thomas Egerton
. He died in 1612 and was buried in Taunton parish church. The antiquary Anthony à Wood
described him as "a polite and rare critic, whose labours have advanced the commonwealth of learning very much".
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for Taunton
Taunton (UK Parliament constituency)
Taunton was a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and its predecessors from 1295 to 2010, taking its name from the town of Taunton in Somerset...
.
Born at Trull in Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
and educated at Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
and New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
, he became a Master of Arts in 1579 and soon afterwards was appointed Master of the Free School at Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
(an appointment in the gift of New College). Although unqualified in medicine, he also began to practise as a doctor, and became highly respected as a physician. He came to be more noted, however, for the commentaries he published on classical literature, notably that on 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:...
which subsequently were included in many European editions of the poet's works; also important was his Commentaries on Persius, published after his death by his son-in-law.
Bond was elected MP for Taunton in the parliaments of 1601 and 1604–1611, and it is considered likely also that he was the John Bond who was chief secretary to the Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
, Sir Thomas Egerton
Thomas Egerton, 1st Viscount Brackley
Thomas Egerton, 1st Viscount Brackley PC was an English Nobleman, Judge and Statesman who served as Lord Keeper and Lord Chancellor for twenty-one years.-Early life, education and legal career:...
. He died in 1612 and was buried in Taunton parish church. The antiquary Anthony à Wood
Anthony Wood
Anthony Wood or Anthony à Wood was an English antiquary.-Early life:Anthony Wood was the fourth son of Thomas Wood , BCL of Oxford, where Anthony was born...
described him as "a polite and rare critic, whose labours have advanced the commonwealth of learning very much".
Major works
- Quinti Horatii Flacci Poemata scholiis sive annotationibus, quae brevis Commentarii vice esse possint illustrata (London, 1606, afterwards reprinted at Leyden, Frankfurt, Hanover, Amsterdam, Leipzig, etc)
- Auli Persii Flacci Satyrae sex, cum posthumis Commentariis Joannis Bond (London, 1614, afterwards at Paris, Amsterdam, Nuremberg, etc)