William Whiston

William Whiston (9 December 1667 – 22 August 1752) was an English theologian, historian, natural philosopher, and mathematician. He is best known for helping to start the Longitude Act in 1714 and for translating important works by Josephus, such as the Antiquities of the Jews.

Whiston was a student and follower of the famous scientist Isaac Newton. He took over Newton’s job as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. However, Whiston lost this position in 1710 because of his unusual religious beliefs. He did not believe in the idea of eternal punishment in hell, calling it unfair and cruel. He also rejected the doctrine of the Trinity, believing it came from pagan traditions, which led to his expulsion from the university.

Early life and career

William Whiston was born in 1667 in Norton-juxta-Twycross, in Leicestershire. His father was a rector, and Whiston was educated privately before attending Queen Elizabeth Grammar School at Tamworth, Staffordshire. He later went to Clare College, Cambridge, where he studied mathematics.

In 1694, Whiston met Isaac Newton and began studying Newton's ideas. He became friends with Newton and, in 1702, took over Newton's position as a professor at Cambridge. During this time, he worked closely with scientist Roger Cotes on experiments and lectures.

Newtonian theologian

William Whiston gave important lectures in 1707, sharing ideas about science and faith that followed the work of Isaac Newton. These talks were a chance for Newton's supporters to talk about important beliefs, like how natural laws and miracles fit together. Whiston believed that the real meaning of the Bible should be clear unless there was a good reason to think differently. He also wrote about how events in the Bible, like floods and eclipses, could be understood using science.

Whiston's views sometimes caused disagreements. For example, he wrote about future events that he thought were promised in the Bible, which led to debates with other thinkers. His relationship with Newton became strained, partly because of these different ideas. Whiston also talked about deep religious topics, which sometimes made others uncomfortable.

Unorthodox religious views

William Whiston had many different ideas about religion that were not accepted by many churches at the time. He stopped believing in a very important church statement called the Nicene Creed and instead supported a view called Arianism. Because of these beliefs, he lost his teaching job and was asked to leave the university.

Whiston started groups to share his ideas about what he called “primitive Christianity.” He talked about his beliefs in many places in London and other towns. Even though some people agreed with him, many thought his ideas were wrong. Later in life, he left the church he was part of and joined a different group called the Baptists. Whiston also had special views on when events in the Bible happened and wrote about many religious topics during his lifetime.

Scientific lecturer and popular author

William Whiston began giving talks about science in London, often at places where people gathered, like coffee houses and special meeting rooms. He showed how stars and other science ideas worked and sometimes talked about religion too.

He wrote books and charts about space, including one showing paths of objects called comets. He also helped make a law to solve a big problem sailors had finding their location at sea. For many years, he shared many ideas about how to solve this, even though some people made fun of him. He also wrote a book about how the world began, saying a comet caused a big flood long ago. Once, he worried many people in London by saying a comet might hit Earth, but a leader told everyone not to worry.

Personal life and death

William Whiston married Ruth, the daughter of his headmaster at Tamworth school, George Antrobus. He passed away on 22 August 1752 at Lyndon Hall in Rutland, staying with his son-in-law, Samuel Barker. He left behind his children named Sarah, William, George, and John.

Works

William Whiston spent much of his later years in debates about many subjects, including religion, math, and history. He wrote a book called Primitive Christianity Revived in 1711–1712 to share his views on early Christian beliefs. In 1713, he created a new design for church services. In 1730, he wrote a book about the life of Samuel Clarke.

In 1727, Whiston published a two-volume work named Authentik Record, which included translations and essays about old books that were not part of the main Bible. In 1737, he translated the works of the ancient writer Josephus into English, adding his own notes and thoughts. By 1745, he also published Primitive New Testament, based on old handwritten copies of the Bible.

Whiston wrote his own memoirs in three volumes between 1749 and 1750.

Editions

• New theory of the Earth. London: Robert Roberts. 1696.
• New theory of the Earth (in German). Frankfurt am Main: Christian Gottlieb Ludwig. 1713.