John Moore (bishop of Ely)

John Moore (1646–1714) was an English cleric, scholar, and book collector. He was bishop of Norwich (1691–1707) and bishop of Ely (1707–1714).

Moore was born in Harborough, Leicestershire, the son of an Ironmonger. He was educated at Clare Hall, Cambridge where he subsequently became a Fellow in 1667.[1] Rector of Blaby in Leicestershire from 1676 to 1687, he subsequently became Rector of St Ann's, Westminster and St Andrew, Holborn. By 1670 he was in the household of Heneage Finch, later Earl of Nottingham and served as his Chaplain. He supported the Glorious Revolution and was appointed a Royal Chaplain. He was appointed Bishop of Norwich in 1691 and translated to the much richer see of Ely in 1707. He died in Ely on 31 July 1714 and is buried in the Cathedral. He married twice firstly to Rose da. of Neville Thomas Alexander Butler and Cicely Aglionby, secondly to Dorothy da. of William Barnes of Sadberghe, Co. Durham, widow of Sir Richard Brown, Bart (killed in Flanders in 1690 by Col Bilingsley), as her third husband.[2][3][4]

At the time of his death in 1714, Moore's collection of books and papers contained over 30,000 items, and may have been the largest in England. To celebrate his coronation, King George I caused it to be purchased intact, at a cost of 6,000 guineas, and donated to Cambridge University. Moore's library alone contained nearly twice the material in the existing University library. While some material has been removed over the years, the gift is still largely intact, and is called The Royal Library in honour of its patron. Notable books in his library include the Treatise of Love.[5]

References

  1. ^ Moore, John in Venn, J. & J. A., Alumni Cantabrigienses, Cambridge University Press, 10 vols, 1922–1958.
  2. ^ See further reading
  3. ^ Mark Noble & James Granger (1806) A biographical history of England, from the Revolution to the end of George I's Reign (Vol 2)
  4. ^ William John Courthope (1835) Synopsis of the extinct baronetage of England
  5. ^ de Ricci, Seymour (1909). A Census of Caxtons. Oxford UP. p. 113. 
Church of England titles
Preceded by
William Lloyd		 Bishop of Norwich
1691–1707		 Succeeded by
Charles Trimnell
Preceded by
Simon Patrick		 Bishop of Ely
1707–1714		 Succeeded by
William Fleetwood

Further reading

Genealogial Memoranda of the Family of de la Moore or Moore de Moorehayes in the Parish of Cullompton in the County of Devon from A.D. 1120 (Circa) to A.D. 1884 by Rev Cecil Moore. M.A.