Richard Kidder
Richard Kidder (1633–1703) was an English Anglican churchman, Bishop of Bath and Wells, from 1691 to his death. He was a noted theologian.
He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was a sizar, from 1649, graduating 1652.[1] He became a Fellow there in 1655, and vicar of Stranground, Huntingdonshire, in 1659.[2] He was deprived in 1662.[3]
He was rector of Rayne Parva, Essex, from 1664 to 1674, having conformed to the Act of 1662. He was later vicar of St. Martin Outwich, London, and in 1689 a royal chaplain,[4] and dean of Peterborough.
His A Demonstration of the Messias[5] has been identified as a significant influence on the librettist Charles Jennens, in writing the words for the Messiah of Handel.[6] This book also took up suggestions of Joseph Mede on multiple authorship of the Book of Zechariah.[7]
He was killed in the Great Storm of 1703, on of 26/7 November;[8] he was in bed with his wife in the episcopal palace at Wells when the chimney fell on both of them.[9]
Notes
- ^ Venn, J.; Venn, J. A., eds. (1922–1958). "Kidder, Richard". Alumni Cantabrigienses (10 vols) (online ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- ^ Concise Dictionary of National Biography.
- ^ [1], CNDB.
- ^ CNDB
- ^ A Demonstration of the Messias. In which the Truth of the Christian Religion is proved, against all the Enemies thereof; but especially against the Jews. In three volumes, published 1684, 1699, 1700.
- ^ [2]; Michael Marissen, Rejoicing against Judaism in Handel's Messiah, Journal of Musicology, Spring 2007, Vol. 24, No. 2, Pages 167-194.
- ^ Bible Survey: The Book of Zechariah
- ^ November 27, Every-Day Book
- ^ Newsletter 35
External links
- Works by or about Richard Kidder in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
| Church of England titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Ken |
Bishop of Bath and Wells 1691–1703 |
Succeeded by George Hooper |