John Partridge (astrologer)
John Partridge, born as John Hewson ( born January 18, 1644 East Sheen, a modern-day suburb of London, † June 24, 1715 in Mortlake, London ) was an English astrologer.
As an author and editor of the almanac Merlinus Liberatus with astrological predictions, which was very popular in London society, Partridge reached high circulation figures, yet was despised by the scientific establishment. If the astrology to the 17th century understood as a serious science, it has been increasingly questioned in the age of Enlightenment and considered irrational, outdated superstition. About the limits of the readership of its popular astrological calendars and almanacs Partridge was therefore known as Jonathan Swift ( under the pseudonym Isaac Bickerstaff ) 1708 ostensibly rival astrologer colleague published a similar almanac in which he predicted imminent on satirical biting manner Partridge's death and Partridge public mockery exposed.
Life and work
The fact that his birth name was John Hewson until he renamed himself in John Partridge, seems beyond doubt. He came from a poor family and worked in his hometown of Covent Garden, first as a cobbler. In 1678 he settled in London as an astrologer down after he had taught himself enough Latin, Greek and Hebrew in the self-study. A nachlesbares in some biographies headed studying physics, astrophysics and astrology is not detectable. Whether Partridge is to see beyond as, among others, his epitaph, doctor ( " Medicina Doctor" ) was after he from 1678 at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands studied medicine and in 1680 received a degree, is denied by most biographers as well how the paperless claim that he was later made in 1682 was sworn in at the court of James II as a doctor and personal physician of Queen Maria II. Even otherwise, there is no evidence that he had practiced. Nevertheless, Partridge called at that time Physician to his Majesty ( " doctor of his majesty ").
1680 gave Patridge, have been the pupil John Gadburys and placidianische teaching in England is said to have introduced his first almanac Merlinus Liberatus out, which he imitated the then very popular popular astrological publications William Lilly ( Lilly's Merlinus Anglicus ). His writing was a success in London society, who loved this astrological almanacs, especially since Partridge had also taken over Lilly's inclination, very specific, often spectacular prophecies, such as a website, for example, the impending death of celebrities. He aroused among his readership interest, bought his writings notwithstanding the fact that his predictions rarely were true. Over the years, Partridge earned a fortune with these writings, though he so surrendered in the scientific community ridicule and got into the risk of legal proceedings, as King James had I. 1604 enacted a law that soothsayers and astrologers in the case of fraudulent acts be punished. Even Lilly had been convicted more than once under this Act.
Because of his involvement in the Protestant Workers' Party Whig Party and its anti- papist sentiments he was reportedly forced out of the professing Catholics James II to flee to Holland, where he appeared under the name of John Wildfowl. Other biographers assume that his taking up residence had more to do in the Netherlands with the legislation. The exact time and the exact circumstances of his exile are not preserved; after Knappich he should be returned in 1689 with the beginning of the reign of William of Orange in his home country.
As a Partridge in his Almanch output for the year 1708 in turn predicted deaths of celebrities and beyond in Partridge 's advice to the Protestants of England ( Partridge 's advice for the Protestants of England) Church of England, referred to as " infallible ," said Jonathan Swift decided who also was convinced that such prophecies the prevailing popular superstition rendered feed, to frighten him to satirical- biting manner and drastically to mock.
Now, under the pseudonym Isaac Bickerstaff and as a supposedly rival astrologer colleague he predicted Partridge's death and let the prophecy continue pamphlets and an elegy follow. Partridge was met by this joke deep. After he had tried in vain to fight back in various writings, he published nothing more, even though the almanacs were by the publisher until 1783 under his name ( etiam Mortuus loquitur ) out of the Stationers ' Company on. Only year of his death, he published nor Scripture The last will and testament of John Partridge, in which he complained about Swift's satire again bitter.