Edward Lake 1641-1704

Edward LAKE 1641-1704

Biographical Note

Born in Exeter, son of James Lake, rector of St Pancras, Exeter. Matriculated at Wadham College, Oxford 1658, then moved to Cambridge (college unknown); there is no record of his graduation, but he became DD (by royal mandate) in 1676. Rector of Norton, Kent 1669-83, chaplain to the daughters of the Duke of York ca.1670. Prebendary of Exeter 1675, archdeacon of Exeter 1676, rector of St Mary-at-Hill, London 1682. His devotional manual Officium eucharisticum (1673) became popular and went through many editions; a number of his sermons were also published.

Books

Lake’s will includes no mention of books; after monetary bequests, all the residue of his estate was left to his wife. His library was sold by auction in London, beginning 15 May 1704. The catalogue contained 1267 lots, divided only by language, and not subdivided by subject (514 English books, 753 in Latin and other languages).

Characteristic Markings

At least one book from Lake's library seems to have made its way to the Bodleian: a copy of Tractatus de demonstratione methodicus et polemicus (1651) inscribed 'Edwardus Lake E. Coll. Wadh' (OUP Printer's Library f.70).

Sources

• A catalogue of the Reverend Dr Lake’s library, 1704, ESTC t9135.
• Vallance, Edward. "Lake, Edward (1641–1704), Church of England clergyman." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Information from Molly G. Yarn.