Richard Overton was a writer who is best known for radical booklets that he created during the English revolution. He was born in the year 1599. He was of British origin. He lived to be 65 years old and passed away in the year 1664. Though his life was short his works left a legacy because through them he demonstrated courage.
Not much is known of this writers early life but he is believed to have enrolled at the Queens College in Cambridge. He was also a playwright and actor in Southwark. He was unknown for most part of his life until the year 1640. This is the year when his booklets began being circulated. At first his pamphlets which were satirical in nature were aimed at criticizing the Church of England. It is believed that Richard had converted to General Baptism religion through this period.
In one of his documents titled Mans Mortalitie he put down one of his most controversial theories. His theory on religion was purely materialistic. He believed that just like the body the soul is also perishable. Both soul and body of a human being die but at the final judgement both are resurrected. Other members of the General Baptism also believed in this theory. Presbyterian Protestants from other churches criticized this line of thought because they thought it was wrong and heretical.
Because of his religious booklets by the year 1645 the author had become very famous. He had also added political works. He became part of the Leveller Movement. This establishment pushed for sovereignty of the people and religious tolerance. It is also said that Richard Overton and William Walwyn put down one of the Leveller Movements most famous and demonstrative piece. It was titled The Remonstrance of Many Thousand Citizens.
In 1646 the author wrote a diatribe to argue for John Liburne to be released from prison. He was jailed for writing this diatribe which was taken as a criminal act by the Government. Richard was locked up in Newgate Prison. Though doing time behind bars he still went on with his important works. He put down many pamphlets arguing for the rights and freedom of an individual while he was still behind bars.
He was set free from the Newgate prison in the year 1647. Immediately he came out he joined with the Leveller mutineers. The mutineers were fighting against the Grandees who stood for the landed gentry during the civil war in England. The Grandees overpowered the Leveller mutiny and crashed them.
In the year 1649 the author was sent to prison yet again. This is because he had made more political pamphlets voicing out his opinions. Those in power considered these pieces acts of treason and thus the reason for jailing him. Later during the same year he was set free.
He continued to fight for the rights of the individual through his pamphlets. He believed in equality of all men. He also advocated for the Government to change. He also believed in sovereignty and he wanted monarchy to be abolished. The last couple of years of Richard Overton are not documented because not much is known about his activities.
Not much is known of this writers early life but he is believed to have enrolled at the Queens College in Cambridge. He was also a playwright and actor in Southwark. He was unknown for most part of his life until the year 1640. This is the year when his booklets began being circulated. At first his pamphlets which were satirical in nature were aimed at criticizing the Church of England. It is believed that Richard had converted to General Baptism religion through this period.
In one of his documents titled Mans Mortalitie he put down one of his most controversial theories. His theory on religion was purely materialistic. He believed that just like the body the soul is also perishable. Both soul and body of a human being die but at the final judgement both are resurrected. Other members of the General Baptism also believed in this theory. Presbyterian Protestants from other churches criticized this line of thought because they thought it was wrong and heretical.
Because of his religious booklets by the year 1645 the author had become very famous. He had also added political works. He became part of the Leveller Movement. This establishment pushed for sovereignty of the people and religious tolerance. It is also said that Richard Overton and William Walwyn put down one of the Leveller Movements most famous and demonstrative piece. It was titled The Remonstrance of Many Thousand Citizens.
In 1646 the author wrote a diatribe to argue for John Liburne to be released from prison. He was jailed for writing this diatribe which was taken as a criminal act by the Government. Richard was locked up in Newgate Prison. Though doing time behind bars he still went on with his important works. He put down many pamphlets arguing for the rights and freedom of an individual while he was still behind bars.
He was set free from the Newgate prison in the year 1647. Immediately he came out he joined with the Leveller mutineers. The mutineers were fighting against the Grandees who stood for the landed gentry during the civil war in England. The Grandees overpowered the Leveller mutiny and crashed them.
In the year 1649 the author was sent to prison yet again. This is because he had made more political pamphlets voicing out his opinions. Those in power considered these pieces acts of treason and thus the reason for jailing him. Later during the same year he was set free.
He continued to fight for the rights of the individual through his pamphlets. He believed in equality of all men. He also advocated for the Government to change. He also believed in sovereignty and he wanted monarchy to be abolished. The last couple of years of Richard Overton are not documented because not much is known about his activities.
About the Author:
The home page links at www.rickoverton.net provide details about the English writer and activist, Richard Overton. For more information, see the links at http://www.rickoverton.net now.
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