Alexander Cruden
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Alexander Cruden (1699 – 1 November 1770), also called (by himself) Alexander the Corrector, was the author of a concordance to the Bible.
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Concordances
- First edition, 1737
- Second edition, 1761
- Third edition, 1769
Cruden's Bible Concordance became well-known, and further editions were published after his death. It has not been out of print since 1737.
Life
Cruden was born in Aberdeen in Scotland and was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and Marischal College, and became an excellent Latin, Greek and Biblical scholar. He was set to enter the church until his mental health was called into question and he was institutionalised. This was the first of several stays in psychiatric hospitals throughout his life.
He was an enthusiastic Presbyterian who moved to London where he created a concordance to the Bible.
On completion of the first edition of his Concordance, Cruden presented it to Queen Caroline (wife of George II). However, she died some days later, leaving him in debt from his work and prey to further mental problems.
After another enforced stay, this time in Matthew Wright's Private Madhouse in Bethnal Green, London, he published in 1739 an indignant recounting of his sufferings entitled The London Citizen exceedingly Injured, or a British Inquisition Displayed. He attempted to prosecute those responsible for his confinement, and made a similar attempt when his sister had him institutionalised again in 1753, this time only for a few days. The dismissal of his legal claims resulted in another account of his sufferings, titled The Adventures of Alexander the Corrector.
The second edition of the Concordance was dedicated to King George III and presented to him in person. After the slow success of the first Concordance, the second and third editions made Cruden considerable profit.
Cruden attempted to have his self-imposed 'Corrector' title made official and put himself forward for a knighthood, believing he had been divinely chosen to safeguard the nation's moral health. He was particularly concerned with swearing and the keeping of the Sabbath. Both titles were refused.
The self-styled title "corrector" derived from Cruden's main employment of proofreading, and his desire to "correct" the morals of England.
Cruden never married. He died in London.
Shortly after Cruden's death in 1770, his Scripture Dictionary was published.
Biography
- Alexander the Corrector, Julia Keay, ISBN 000713195X
External links
- 1911 encyclopaedia (http://86.1911encyclopedia.org/C/CR/CRUDEN_ALEXANDER.htm)
- Significant Scots: includes pictures of a Cruden Bible (http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/cruden_alexander.htm)
- Calvin College Christian library (http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/encyc/encyc03/htm/ii.11.ii.htm)