Griffin Higgs
Griffin or Griffith Higgs (1589–1659) was an English churchman, the dean of Lichfield from 1638.
Life
Higgs was born at
In 1611 Higgs was elected probationer fellow of
When the civil war broke out he lost all his preferments, and retired to South Stoke, but afterwards to Oxford, where he remained until its surrender. For this he was adjudged a delinquent and his estate sequestered. He only obtained a pardon by paying a fine of £480 on 21 Sept. 1647.
Death and legacy
Higgs died unmarried at South Stoke on 16 December 1659 and was buried in the chancel of the church. According to his will dated 22 Aug 1659, he allotted funds to the church of South Stoke, some specified to buy land for the poor of that town[citation needed]. He also donated funds to purchase free land of socage for the maintenance of a schoolmaster there, which was to be managed by the warden and fellows of Merton College, who were appointed patrons of the school to be erected at South Stoke. He left funds for the purchase of divinity books for the Bodleian Library, St. Merton's and St. John's College. His library, which had been scattered during the war, the greatest portion being kept at Stafford, he left to Merton College but the corporation of Stafford successfully resisted the attempts of the college to obtain the books [citation needed]. Higgs likewise gave money to found a divinity lecture at Merton College and an annual sum to augment the allowance of the postmasters.
Upon his death, Higgs donated £1,500 to Merton College, stipulating that £10 was earmarked as librarian's annual stipend.[1] He also left his entire personal library to Merton College and more than 650 titles remain there today. While it was not uncommon for an educated man of his position to donate a collection to a library, his endowment of a librarianship is unique. He left detailed instructions about the librarian's qualifications and responsibilities. A code of conduct was suggested for librarians at the college. He also provided guidelines for cataloging the collection, maintaining books and managing acquisitions.[1] Although his wishes were largely ignored, his practical instructions are essential to understanding the concept of librarianship in the 17th century.
Works
He wrote a life of
His other writings are:
1. Problemata Theologica, Leyden, 1630.
2. Miscellaneæ Theses Theologicæ, defended by him when he was made D.D., Leyden, 1630.
He left other works in manuscript. He has verses in Ultima Linea Savilii, 1622.
The Griffith Higgs of South Stoke whose epitaph is printed in 'Notes and Queries,' 1st ser. vol. x. p. 266, was Higgs's nephew. He died in 1693, not 1698.
References
- ^ ISBN 0-9501921-8-X.
. Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
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