BINGHAM, JOSEPH. - Anglican theologian, b. in September 1668 at Wakefield (Yorkshire), d. 17 Aug. 1723. Doctor at the University of Oxford, then curate at Headbourn-Worthy and later at Havant near Portsmouth. His principal work is Origines ecclesiasticae 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 at Halle in 1724-29; it is cited even more frequently than the original and subsequently had two further editions. The work constitutes the first attempt at a synthetic view of the vast field of Christian antiquities, embracing the hierarchy, ecclesiology, territorial organization, rites, discipline, and calendar of the early Church. Its abundant material, lucid insight, and objective presentation still command respect today. Nevertheless, because of the Anglican spirit informing it, it was placed on the Index in 1733.
BINGHAM, JOSEPH
BIBL.: R. Bingham, Life of J. B., (preface to the ed. of his works), London 1821-29; S. L. Ollard and G. Grosse, Dictionary of English Church history, ibid. 1919, pp. 55-56.
Cite this article
“BINGHAM, JOSEPH.” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. II (1949), p. 950. Azione Romana digital edition, https://azioneromana.com/article/bingham-joseph.