"It is always darkest just before the day dawneth."
Thomas Fuller, Pisgah Sight (1650), Book II, ch. 2
English Clergyman Thomas Fuller is considered one of the most witty and
prolific authors of the 17th century. He was born in 1608, studied at Cambridge
and was appointed to the Chapel Royal, Savoy in 1641 (a private chapel of the sovereign associated
with the House of Lancaster, which remains a well-known London landmark to this
day). He remained there for two years until Oliver Cromwell came to power,
and Fuller (a monarchist) left for Oxford.
He returned to London in 1646 and wrote Andronicus, or the Unfortunate
Politician, a satire against Cromwell. With the restoration of the monarchy
in 1660 he was appointed chaplain-extraordinary to Charles II. During his
life he published a number of works noted for their wittiness, anecdotes,
epigrams, and puns, such as The Holy State, The Profane State and
History of the Worthies of Britain - which was published by his son after
his death in 1661.
Confusingly, there are two notable, quotable Thomas Fullers:
The Thomas Fuller quoted above (1608-1661) - an English preacher, historian, and scholar; and Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) - a physician, writer and collector of adages.
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