Nationality British Role Lexicographer | Name John Parkhurst Education Rugby School | |
Residence Lower Catesby;
Cambridge; Epsom Occupation clergyman, academic,
Biblical lexicographer Spouse(s) Susanna Myster;
Millicent Northey Died February 21, 1797, Epsom, United Kingdom Books A Greek and English Lexicon to the New Testament: In which the Words and Phrases ... are Distinctly Explained, and the Meanings Assigned to Each Authorized by References to Passages of Scripture, and Frequently ... Confirmed by Citations from the Old Testament and from the Greek Writers. To this Work is Prefixed, a ... Greek Grammar ... | ||
Alma mater Clare College, Cambridge | ||
John Parkhurst (1728–1797) was an English academic, clergyman and biblical lexicographer.
Contents
Life
The second son of John Parkhurst (1701–65) of Catesby House, Northamptonshire, he was born in June 1728. His mother was Ricarda, second daughter of Sir Robert Dormer. He was educated at Rugby School and Clare Hall, Cambridge, where he proceeded BA 1748, MA 1752, and was elected Fellow. Soon after he was ordained the death of his elder brother made him heir to considerable estates at Catesby and Epsom, Surrey. For some time he acted as curate for a friend, but received no preferment. In 1785 he gave the family living of Epsom to Jonathan Boucher, though he knew him only by reputation.
Parkhurst led a life of literary retirement and study. In early life he became a follower of John Hutchinson and was influenced by his principles of biblical exegesis. He spent the latter part of his life at Epsom, where he died on 21 February 1797. His monument by John Flaxman in St Martin's parish church, Epsom carried an inscription by his friend William Jones of Nayland.
Works
Parkhurst's Hebrew grammar and lexicon contributed to the tradition of study of unpointed Hebrew through to Samuel Sharpe. From his Greek lexicon he discarded accents and smooth breathings. Both his lexicons contain theology alongside general information.
Published works by John Parkhurst:
In August 1797 The Gentleman's Magazine posthumously published a letter by Parkhurst on the confusion of tongues at Babel.
Family
Parkhurst was married twice. His first marriage was in 1754, to Susanna, daughter of John Myster of Epsom. By her he had two sons who died before him, and a daughter who was married to the Revd. James Altham and died 25 April 1813. Susanna died in 1759. Parkhurst's second marriage was in 1761, to Millicent, daughter of James Northey of London. By her he had one daughter, who was married to the Rev. Joseph Thomas in 1791. Millicent died 27 April 1800, aged 79.