John Partridge 1644-1715
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John PARTRIDGE 1644-1715
Biographical Note
Born at East Sheen, Surrey, son of John Partridge, waterman. Trained as a cobbler, he taught himself Latin and Greek, and studied medicine and astrology. In 1677 he published his first almanac, and succeeding annual issues became popular sellers; in the 1690s, he became a leading figure in a movement to reform astrology, opposing John Gadbury and others, an initiative which was doomed to failure as faith in astrology declined. His reputation was not helped by Jonathan Swift's summation of him (in An Elegy on Mr Patridge, 1708) as "a cobler, starmonger and quack".
Books
Partridge's will has no mention of books; all his household goods were left to his wife Jane. His library was auctioned in London, 13.1.1718.
Sources
- Will of John Partridge, The National Archives PROB 11/547/208.
- Alston, R. C. Inventory of sale catalogues 1676-1800. St Philip, 2010 .
- Bibliotheca Partridgeana, [London, 1718], ESTC t10064.
- Curry, Patrick. "Partridge, John (1644–1715), astrologer and almanac writer." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.