Seeker, Thomas

Seeker, Thomas, an eminent English prelate, was born in 1693 at Sibthorpe, Nottinghamshire. He belonged to a family of Dissenters, but was influenced (by his own views and by the divisions and disturbances at that period prevailing among the Dissenters) to conform. He therefore never practiced medicine, for which he had studied at London, Paris, and Leyden, but entered Exeter College, Oxford, in 1721. In December, 1722, bishop Talbot ordained him deacon, and not long after, priest. He was presented by the bishop with the rectory of Houghton le Spring in 1724, where he remained until 1727, when he removed to Durham. In July, 1732, Grafton, lord chamberlain, appointed him chaplain to the king. He was instituted to the rectory of St. James's, May 18,1733, and was consecrated bishop of Bristol Jan. 19, 1735. In May, 1737, Dr. Seeker was translated to the bishopric of Oxford; in December, 1750, was promoted to the deanery of St. Paul's; and confirmed archbishop of Canterbury April 21, 1758. He died in London, Aug. 3,1768. His works comprise Sermon, s, Lectures, and Charges (Loud. 1811, 6 vols.), last edition with a memoir by bishop Porteous.