JOHN AUBREY

BIRTH AND DEATH

Birth: 3/22/1626     Death: 6/17/1697

OCCUPATION

scientist

BIOGRAPHY SUMMARY

John Aubrey was an English antiquary, natural philosopher and writer. He was a pioneer archaeologist, who recorded numerous megalithic and other field monuments in southern England, and who is particularly noted for his systematic examination of the Avebury henge monument. The Aubrey holes at Stonehenge are named after him, although there is considerable doubt as to whether the holes that he observed are those that currently bear the name. He was also a pioneer folklorist, collecting together a miscellany of material on customs, traditions and beliefs under the title Remaines of Gentilisme and Judaisme. He set out to compile county histories of both Wiltshire and Surrey, although both projects remained unfinished. His Interpretation of Villare Anglicanum was the first attempt to compile a full-length study of English place-names. He had wider interests in applied mathematics and astronomy, and was friendly with many of the greatest scientists of the day.

NOTABLE WORK

WHY THEY MATTER

John Aubrey was intellectually unique and groundbreaking for his pioneering work in archaeology, particularly in the systematic examination of the Avebury henge monument and the recording of megalithic and field monuments in southern England. His contributions to folklore studies and the compilation of material on customs and beliefs displayed his interdisciplinary approach. Additionally, his efforts to compile county histories and his work on English place-names demonstrated his wide-ranging intellectual pursuits in the realms of history, mathematics, and astronomy.

FAMOUS QUOTE

Arise Evans had a fungous nose, and said, it was revealed to him, that the King's hand would cure him, and at the first coming of KingCharles IIinto St. James's Park, he kissed the King's hand, and rubbed his nose with it, which disturbed the King, but cured him.Miscellanies Upon Various Subjects(London: J. R. Smith, 1857) p. 128. (1696)

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