Kennett, Basil (1674-10-21 - 1715-01-03)

Basil Kennett was born at Postling, Kent on 21 October 1674 to Basil Kennett (d.1686), vicar of Postling, and Mary White. He was educated by his elder brother White Kennett (1660-1728, ODNB Article 15402 ), bishop of Peterborough, in Bicester Oxford and subsequently in the family of Sir William Glynne at Ambrosden. He entered St. Edmund Hall, Oxford in 1689 and was elected a scholar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, in 1690; he graduated B.A. in 1693 and proceeded M.A. in 1696. The same year he published his most famous work, a summary of antiquarian findings entitled “Romae antiquitae notititia, or, The Antiquities of Rome.” In 1697 Kennet was made a fellow and tutor at Corpus Christi, also publishing a second book, “The Lives and Characters of the Ancient Grecian Poets.” He published several translations and original essays between 1703 and 1705. He was presented the vicarage of Coombe Bissett, Wilts. in 1705 by his brother, a canon of Sarum. In 1706 he took up the post of chaplain to the British trading factory at Leghorn; after interference from the Inquisition in Italy and bouts of ill health, he resigned his post in February 1712. He was made B.D. in Oxford during his absence, and was made D.D. in 1714. He was elected president of Corpus Christi in May 1714, but died within the year. He was buried in the college chapel on 6 January 1715.