Edmond Bohun

Edmund Bohun was born in 1645 at Ringsfield, Suffolk, the son of Baxter Bohun of Westhall, and matriculated at Queen's College, Cambridge, in 1663, but left in 1666 because of the plague and never received a degree. In 1669 he married Mary Brampton and settled at the family home, Westhall, Suffolk. Although he was brought up a Dissenter he later became a hardline Anglican. He worked for a time as a Commissioner (Justice of the Peace), but was unpopular and quit. He moved to London in 1684 and is probably best known as the author of a book - Geographical Dictionary, Representing the Present and Ancient Names of All the Countries, Provinces, &c. of the Whole World...(1688). It went through several editions during his lifetime, including a greatly revised and enlarged third edition in 1693. He also wrote tracts championing the principle of non-resistance, but by inferring James II had deserted the throne, claimed rightful submission was due to William and Mary. Bohun was appointed licenser of the press in 1692, under William and Mary; a position which he found painful and difficult. He held it only five months before being charged, tried and temporarily imprisoned for sanctioning the publication of a tract by Charles Blount, King William and Queen Mary Conquerors, defending the doctrine of conquest by William III. He was dismissed from the office and was purged from the Suffolk bench. Bohun crossed the atlantic in midsummer 1698 and was briefly appointed Chief Justice of Carolina for £60 per annum, before his premature death from an epidemic of fever on 5 October 1699. Signature from his will, written just before he departed for America, in 1698. Known publications: Geographical Dictionary, Representing the Present and Ancient Names of All the Countries, Provinces, &c. of the Whole World, London, (1688). A History of the Desertion or an Account of All the Public Affairs in England From the Beginning of September 1688 to the Twelfth of February Following, a pamphlet, London, (1689) The Character of Queen Elizabeth. Or, A Full and Clear Account of Her Policies, and the Methods of Her Government both in Church and State. Her Virtues and Defects. Together with The Characters of Her Principal Ministers of State. And the greatest part of the Affairs and Events that Happened in Her Times, London: Printed for Ric. Chiswell (1693) The Diary and Autobiography of Edmund Bohun, Esq., with an Introductory Memoir, Notes, and Illustrations, by S. Wilton Rix, England, Privately printed by Read Crisp, (1853)

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