James Archer Sermons

Creator:

Archer, James, 1751-1834

Primary Language:

English

Description / Abstract:

James Archer was born in London, England in 1751. Archer was ordained and in 1870 returned to London where he was appointed Vicar-general. Renown for his oratorical skill, he was considered the most popular Roman Catholic priest of his time. He wrote widely on a variety of topics including religious persecution, marriage, spirituality and the religious profession. In recognition of his achievements the Pope granted him a Doctor of Divinity degree. James Archer died on August 1832 at the age of 82 just as a new era of religious tolerance was dawning. The collection contains sermons written for Sundays, religious holidays, and as inducements into the religious profession. Only one sermon is dated (1788) although the watermarks on the paper run as late as 1826. The sermons are of varying length but generally run about 12 pages long. The text of the sermons contain many corrections and revisions and appear to be intended mostly for delivery rather than for publication. The sermons reveal to the scholar the style and content of a popular English Catholic priest during the period of Roman Catholic persecution in England. Lacking dates the collection remains in the same order in which it was received.

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