Person Birkenhead; Sir; John (1616 - 1679); journalist and poet Birkenhead John Sir journalist and poet Berkenhead Birkenhed Berkinhead 1616 - 1679 British Male Northwich, Cheshire, England, Europe 24 March 1616 16170324 Whitehall, London, England, Europe 4 December 1679 16791204 Burial: Churchyard of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, London, England, Europe

Whitehall, London (-1679)

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 Parents: Randall Birkenhead and Margaret Birkenhead 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. Committee and panels: Mechanical Committee (1664) ; Committee for improving the English language (1664) Original Fellow 22/06/1663 47 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. International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 24 Mar 1616 - 4 Dec 1679 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 03/02/2022 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA2742 21/11/2001 Andyg pmab 28/03/2023 RS_NET\JonathanB Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/52890109 f414490a-47f6-431f-8a36-c274a11c2dc3