Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fortescue, James

by Thompson Cooper

FORTESCUE, JAMES, D.D. (1716–1777), poetical writer, born in 1716, was son of George Fortescue, ‘gentleman,’ of Milton Abbot, Devonshire. He matriculated at Oxford as a member of Exeter College, 9 Feb. 1732–3, proceeded B.A. in 1736, was elected a fellow of his college, and commenced M.A. in 1739. He was chaplain at Merton College in 1738, 1743, and 1746. In 1748 he was senior proctor of the university. He graduated B.D. in 1749, and was created D.D. on 20 Jan. 1750–1. Being appointed in 1764 to the rectory of Wootton, Northamptonshire, a benefice in the gift of Exeter College, he resigned his fellowship in the following year. He held the rectory till his death in 1777.

He published the following works in verse:

1. ‘A View of Life in its several Passions, with a preliminary Discourse on Moral Writing,’ London, 1749, 8vo.
2. ‘Science,’ an epistle, Oxford, 1750, 8vo.
3. ‘Science,’ a poem, Oxford, 1751, 8vo.
4. ‘Essays, Moral and Miscellaneous,’ including the preceding works, and some other poetical pieces, pt. i. second edit., London, 1752, 8vo; pt. ii. Oxford, 1754, 8vo. An extended edition of the ‘Essays,’ including ‘Pomery-Hill,’ appeared in 2 vols. 1759.
5. ‘An Essay on Sacred Harmony,’ London, 1753, 8vo.
6. ‘Essay the Second: on Sacred Harmony,’ London, 1754, 8vo.
7. ‘Pomery-Hill, a Poem, with other Poems, English and Latin,’ London, 1754, 8vo (anon.).

[Notes and Queries, 3rd ser. v. 354, by C. H. Cooper; Foster's Alumni Oxon. ii. 480; Lord Clermont's Hist. of the Fortescue Family, 2nd edit. p. 151; Gough's Brit. Topography, i. 321; Cat. of Gough's Collection in the Bodleian, p. 106; Davidson's Bibl. Devoniensis, Suppl. p. 25; Monthly Review, xxi. 291; Gent. Mag. xlvii. 507; List of Oxford Graduates; Wood's Colleges and Halls (Gutch), Suppl. p. 170; Watt's Bibl. Brit.]

T. C.