| Authorised form of name | Birkenhead; Sir; John (1616 - 1679); journalist and poet |
| Other forms of surname | Berkenhead |
| Birkenhed |
| Berkinhead |
| Dates | 1616 - 1679 |
| Nationality | British |
| Place of birth | Northwich, Cheshire, England, Europe |
| Date of birth | 24 March 1616 |
| Place of death | Whitehall, London, England, Europe |
| Date of death | 4 December 1679 |
| DatesAndPlaces | Burial:
Churchyard of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, London, England, Europe |
| Activity | Education:
Oriel College, Oxford (matriculated 1634; BA 1636/7; MA 1639; DCL 1661); Incorporated at Cambridge (1657)
Career:
Amanuensis of Archbishop Laud; Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford (1639-1648, ejected); Whytes Professor of Moral Philosophy (1643-1648, ejected); Wrote 'Mercurius Aulicus', weekly paper containing news of the court at Oxford (1642-1645); in exile with Prince Charles (1648); travelled between England, France and Holland, and 'lived by his wits' in Oxford (1648-1660); Master of the Faculties Office; MP for Wilton (1661-1679); Master of Requests (1664)
Honours:
Kt 1662
|
| Membership category | Original Fellow |
| Date of election | 22/06/1663 |
| Age at election | 47 |
| RSActivity | Committee and panels:
Mechanical Committee (1664) ; Committee for improving the English language (1664) |
| Relationships | Parents: Randall Birkenhead and Margaret Birkenhead |
| OtherInfo | Birkenhead was recommended as a Fellow for All Souls College by the Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud, and this patronage shaped much of his career. Prior to and during the Civil War, he was already regarded as an arch-royalist. His publication 'Mercurius Aulicus' was England's first official newsbook and caused the creation of 'Mercurius Britanicus' (1643-1646) by the Parliamentarians. After the Restoration, Birkenhead continued his editorial work with 'Mercurius Publicus' (1660-1663). He also regained his fellowship at Oxford and his doctorate was awarded on recommendation of Charles II. |
| Source | Sources:
Bulloch's Roll; DNB; Foster; Aubrey; ODNB
Notes:
The election date is Birkenhead's election date into the Society after the grant of the second charter in April 1663. All Fellows admitted in a two-month window after this charter, until 22 June 1663, are considered Original Fellows. |
| Virtual International Authority File | http://viaf.org/viaf/52890109 |
| Code | NA2742 |