Patrick Young

Patrick Young, A. M.—This celebrated scholar was born at Seaton in Scotland, August 29, 1584, and educated in the university of St. Andrews, where he took his degrees in arts, and was afterwards incorporated at Oxford. He was the son of Sir Peter Young, joint tutor with Buchanan to James I., and afterwards employed by the king in various negociations, and rewarded with a pension. Upon th* accession of James to the crown of England, bit father accompanied him to this country, and placed Patrick in the family of Dr. Lloyd, bishop of Chester, from whom he derived great assistance in his literary pursuits. In the year 1605 lie went to Oxford, entered into deacon's orders, and Was elected chaplain of New College. He employed himself in this seat of the muses in the assiduous study of ecclesiastical history and antiquities, and of the Greek language, in which he acquired an extraordinary knowledge. On his removal from the university he went to London, with the intention of obtaining preferment at court, to which lie had easy access by means of his father. One of his principal patrons was Dr. James Montague, bishop of Bath and Wells, through whose interest he obtained a pension from the king of fifty pounds a year; and as he was master of an elegant Latin style, his pen was occasionally employed by his majesty, and by some other persons in power, ja writing letters; and he was also engaged in examining the archives of the kingdom.*

* Huntley's Prelates' Usurpations, p. 163. 't Pryaae't Cant. Doonte, p. 184.

It was one of the first objects of his ambition to obtain the post of keeper of Prince Henry's library and museum, in the palace of St. James's, which was his residence. In this he failed; but he was afterwards, through the influence of his patron, Bishop Montague, elected librarian to the king. To the royal library Mr. Young was a most assiduous visitor, spending the greatest part of Ins time in it, and, at the king's command, classing its contents in catalogues. He had frequent literary conversations with his majesty, who placed him in this situation, for which he was so well qualified. By his persuasion, on the death of the very learned Isaac Casaubon, in 1614, with whom he was familiarly acquainted, the king purchased most of his books and manuscripts for the library. Also, for the purpose of augmenting the stores committed to his care, he was very desirous of visiting the continent, but was unable to put his design in execution till 1617, when he went to Paris, taking with him recommendatory letters from the learned Camden to some of his literary acquaintance in that metropolis. By their means he was introduced to various other eminent men, with whom, by the sweetness of his disposition, and the candour and urbanity of his manners, he ingratiated himself, and also rendered himself peculiarly dear to all with whom he was connected. After his return, he assisted Mr. Thomas Rhead in making a Latin version of the works of King James, a task undoubtedly considered as highly important by the royal author. This translation, "which," says Dr. Smith, "will extend to all eternity thu fame of this most learned king," appeared in 1619; and Mr. Young was deputed to carry the present copy from his majesty to the university of Cambridge, which was received with all due respect in solemn convocation.

• Biog. liriiau. vol. yiii. p. 4380 Aikin's Life of Selden and Viher,

p. 367.

Mr. Young, in the year 1620, entered into the married state; and, about the same time, though only in deacon's orders, was presented to the rectory of Hays in Middlesex, and the rectory of Llanindimcl in Denbighshire,* and was soon after collated to a prebend of St. Paul's, London, and chosen to the office of treasurer of that church. In 1624, on the death of Mr. Rhead, he was recommended by Bishop Williams, then keeper of the great seal, to the Duke of Buckingham, as the fittest person in the kingdom to succeed him in the office of Latin secretary. Although he had hitherto published nothing in his own name, he appears to have acquired a high character among the learned, both at home and abroad, many of the latter of whom corresponded with him upon literary topics, and received from him many signal advantages. When the celebrated John Sclden undertook to examine the Arundclian Marbles, he chose Mr. Young for one of his companions; and he derived so much assistance from him in drawing up the account of these valuable remains, that, passing by all patrons of higher rank, he inscribed his "Marmora Arundeleana" to Mr. Young, in an affectionate and grateful dedication, which confers honour on both the friends.t

The famous Alexandrian manuscript of the Old and New Testament being added to the treasures of the royal library, Mr. Young employed himself assiduously in collating it with other manuscripts and printed books, and communicated many various readings to Grotius, Usher, and other learned men. It was his intention to print the whole in types similar to the letters of the original, and he published a specimen of his design; but some circumstances occurred to prevent it from being accomplished4 The cause of its failure Bishop Kennet ascribes to the puritans; and says," that religion and learning were so little countenanced by the parliament and assembly of divines, that they never

called for the work, and so it was left unfinished."* What degree or credit is due to this statement, every reader who is at all conversant with the history of this period will easily judge. Wood observes, "that the laborious task was undertaken by the request of the assembly of divines," and, towards the close of the year 1645, an ordinance was read for printing and publishing it. He had lor his assistants the learned Selden and Whitlocke; but why it was never completed he could never learn.+ Another writer affirms, that the premature death of Mr. Young prevented the accomplishment of the design; after which it was taken up by Dr. Grabe.J

Mr. Young, however, in the year 1633, edited, from the same manuscript, the " Epislles of Clemens Romanus;" and, in the year 1637, he published, with a Latin version, "Catena Gracorum Patrum .lobum, collectore Niceta Heracleae Metropolita." In 1638, he published " Exposito in Canticum Canticorum Folioti Episcopi Londinensis, una cum Alcuini in idem Canticum Compendio." This work was written by Gilb. Foliot, bishop of London, in the reign of Henry II. He greatly contributed to the publication of AValton's Polyglot Bible, particularly by his annotations in vol. vi. of that learned production. He continued in the office of librarian till the king's death; and had made preparations for editing various other manuscripts from the royal library, besides those mentioned above, but the confusions of the times prevented their publication. After his death, most of his Greek and Latin manuscripts, collected and written with his own hand, came to the possession of the celebrated Dr. John 0wen.^

From the concurrent testimony of Anthony Wood and Dr. Walker, it is certain that Mr. Young espoused the sentiments and cause of the presbyterians, and we have no evidence that he ever declined from them afterwards; therefore, he is with justice classed among the puritan worthies.* Upon his removal from the office of librarian, he retired to the house of his son-in-law, at Bromfield in Essex, where he was taken off by an acute disease, September 7, 1652, aged sixty-eight years. His corpse was interred in the chancel of Bromfield church, and over his grave was laid a stone of black marble, with the following monumental inscription :t

* Kennel's Hist, of Eng. To), iii. p. 148.

+ Wood's AlkentE Oxon. vol. i. p. 794.

j Aikin's Lives of Selden and Usher, p. 143.—This famous manuscript is now deposited in the British Museum; but Ur. Grabe never accomplished liis design. However, in the year 1786, Dr. Woide, by unexampled labour and care, published a most perfect fac-simile of the New Testament, printed in types resembling the characters of the original. The Kev. Mr. Baber, one of the librarians of the British Museum, has lately published a fac-simile of the Ptalms, nnd has also this year, 1813, announced his intention of publishing the Pentateuch in a similar style.

S Wood's Athen.T, vol. i. p. 794.

Here under

lieth the body of Patrick Young, esq.

Son of Sir Peter Young, knt.

who left two daughters

and coheiresses.

Elizabeth married to John Attwood, esq.

and Sarah married Sir Samuel Hose, knt.

He died September 7, 1652.

Mr. Young was a person most celebrated both for piety and erudition, and one of the most distinguished Grecians of the age. Bishop Montague used to style him, "the patriarch of the Greeks."$ Of his character, both as a scholar and a man, abundant eulogies, from persons of literary distinction, are annexed to Dr. Smith's biographical memoir of him. He was consulted by most of the great scholars in Europe: as, Fronto-Ducams, Sirmondus, Petavius, Grotius, Valesius, Salmasius, Vossius, Casaubon, Usher, Selden, and many others.