Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Clubbe, John
CLUBBE, JOHN (1703?–1773), satirical writer, son of the Rev. George Clubbe, rector of Whatfield, Suffolk, was born in or about 1703. At the usual age he was entered at Cambridge, where he took the degree of B.A. as a member of King's College in 1725. He was subsequently ordained, became vicar of Debenham, Suffolk, in 1730, and five years later succeeded to his father's living of Whatfield. By his wife, Susannah Beeston, whom he married on 8 Aug. 1732, he had twelve children, eight of whom, including John Clubbe, M.D., of Ipswich, and William Clubbe [q. v.], survived him. He died on 2 March 1773, at the age of seventy. Contemporary writers represent Clubbe as possessed of considerable literary talent added to a keen sense of humour. As a churchman his sympathies were broad. With the exception of a sermon printed in 1751, all his writings in their original form were published anonymously, and are: 1. ‘The History and Antiquities of the Ancient Villa of Wheatfield, in the county of Suffolk,’ 4to, London, 1758, chiefly a burlesque of Morant's ‘History and Antiquities of Colchester,’ and frequently reprinted in the author's lifetime. 2. ‘Physiognomy;’ being a sketch only of a larger work upon the same plan, 4to, London, 1763. 3. ‘A Letter of Free Advice to a Young Clergyman,’ 8vo, Ipswich, 1765. The above, with the ‘Sermon’ and two other slighter pieces, were collected together and published in two volumes 12mo, Ipswich (1770 or 1771), under the title of ‘Miscellaneous Tracts of the Rev. John Clubbe.’ 4. ‘The Farmers' Queries and Resolutions concerning the Game. Written in the second year of the Association for Preserving the Game, but never before published,’ 4to, Ipswich (1770?).
[Nichols's Lit. Anecd. ii. 377–9, viii. 410; Nichols's Illustr. of Lit. vi. 462–6; Brit. Mus. Cat.; Davy's MS. Athenæ Suffolc. ii. 317, in Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 19166.]