John Selden
(1584-1654), Jurist, politician and scholarSitter in 23 portraits
Called to the Bar in 1612. His first major book, Titles of Honour, was published in 1614. His History of Tythes (1618), conceded the legal right of the Church of England to collect tithes, but denied divine authority. The book was suppressed, and the Privy Council forced Selden to recant his views. He was imprisoned twice for taking the side of the House of Commons (to which he was elected in 1623) against King Charles I, and from 1640, he took part in the Commons' proceedings against William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, and against Charles I. A learned man, he is best remembered today for the posthumous Table Talk: Being the Discourses of John Selden, Esq. (1689).
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