Thomas Smoult

Thomas Smoult (1631 or 1632 – 9 July 1707) was the first Professor of Moral Theology or Casuistical Divinity in 1683 at the University of Cambridge to the post now known as the Knightbridge Professor of Philosophy. The professorship was founded in 1677 by John Knightbridge, a vicar of Spofforth in Yorkshire and Fellow of Peterhouse, Cambridge. He left a stipend of 50 pounds per annum. This was augmented by Smoult, who gave 300 pounds to purchase land.[1]

Plaque for Thomas Smoult in Barkway, Hertfordshire

Life

Thomas Smoult was born in Lathom, Lancashire, the son of Edward (Edmund) a gentleman.

Smoult matriculated from St John's in 1651 at the age of 19 and graduated BA in 1654. He became a Fellow there in 1664. He proceeded to a Bachelor of Divinity in 1666 followed by a Doctor of Divinity in 1684 in preparation for a career in the church. He held various church livings in Hertfordshire and Kent including Northchurch, Hertfordshire; Bexley, Kent, 1659–65; Barkway, Hertfordshire, 1666–94; and Berkhampstead, 1693. From 1697 until his death he was Royal Chaplain.[2]

In his will[3] Smoult bequeathed £100 for the purchase of books for the Library at St John's.[4] Bexley National School, London was built from an earlier endowment by him to the parish in 1703. This school is dated 1834.[5]

References
  1. Metcalf, W. (1808). A Guide Through the University of Cambridge. Cambridge. p. 13.
  2. "ACAD". Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  3. "Will of Thomas Smoult, Rector, Doctor of Divinity and Fellow of Saint Johns College in Cambridge of North Church, Hertfordshire". National Archives. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  4. "Thomas Smoult". Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  5. Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1188284)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
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