Thomas Rowe (tutor)

Thomas Rowe(1657–1705) was an Englishnonconformistminister, significant as the teacher of the next generation of Dissenters, particularly in philosophy, in one of the first of thedissenting academies.

Life

The elder son ofJohn Rowe,he was born in London in 1657. He was probably educated byTheophilus Gale.In 1678 he succeeded Gale, both as pastor of the independent church inHolbornand as tutor in the academy atNewington Green.He moved his congregation to a meeting-house at Girdlers' Hall,Basinghall Street,and took his academy successively toClaphamand, about 1687, toLittle Britain.

His ministry was successful; but it was as a tutor, especially in philosophy, that he made his mark as an early adopter of new ideas. He was the first to desert the traditional textbooks, introducing his pupils, about 1680, to what was known as ‘free philosophy.’ Rowe was aCartesianat a time when theAristotelian philosophywas still dominant in the older schools of learning; but while in physics he adhered to Descartes against the rising influence ofIsaac Newton,he also became one of the earliest exponents ofJohn Locke.His students includedJohn Evans, D.D.,Henry Grove,Josiah Hort,John Hughesthe poet,Jeremiah Hunt,D.D.,Daniel Neal,andIsaac Watts.

Rowe was aCalvinistin theology, but few of his pupils adhered to the same system without some modification. In 1699 he became one of the Tuesday lecturers at Pinners' Hall. He died suddenly on 18 August 1705, and was buried with his father inBunhill Fields.

Family

Benoni Rowe (1658–1706) was his brother-in-law, husband to his sister Sarah.He was born in London, and educated for the ministry. His first known settlement was atEpsom,Surrey,about 1689. He succeededStephen Lobbin 1699 as pastor of the independent church inFetter Lane.He died on 30 March 1706, and was buried in Bunhill Fields. He left two sons:Thomas(1687–1715), husband ofElizabeth Rowe;and Theophilus.

References

• This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:"Rowe, Thomas".Dictionary of National Biography.London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.