BINGHAM, Joseph. – Anglican theologian, born in September 1668 at Wakefield (Yorkshire), died on 17 August 1723. Doctor at the University of Oxford, then curate at Headbourn-Worthy and later at Havant near Portsmouth. His principal work is *Origines ecclesiasiticae or the Antiquities of the Christian Church* (10 vols., London 1708–22; new editions appeared in 1838–40 and 1855). A Latin translation was immediately prepared by J. H. Grischow in Halle in 1724–29, which is even more frequently cited than the original and subsequently saw two further editions. The work constitutes the first attempt at a synthetic overview of the vast field of Christian antiquities, embracing the hierarchy, ecclesiology, territorial organization, rites, discipline, and calendar of the early Church. The abundance of material, the perspicacious clarity, and the objective presentation still command respect today. However, on account of the Anglican spirit that informs it, it was placed on the Index in 1733.
BINGHAM, JOSEPH
BIBL.: R. Bingham, *Life of J. B.*, (preface to the edition of his works), London 1821–29; S. L. Ollard and G. Grosse, *Dictionary of English Church History*, ibid. 1910, pp. 55–56. Benedetto Gioia