Neil Ker (rev. edn by Michael Perkin), A Directory of the Parochial Libraries of the Church of England and the Church in Wales (London: Bibliographical Society, 2004), p. 211; AO (Foster); ODNB (Article: 7777); Hannah Yip.
Neil Ker (rev. edn by Michael Perkin), A Directory of the Parochial Libraries of the Church of England and the Church in Wales (London: Bibliographical Society, 2004), p. 211; AO (Foster); ODNB (Article: 7777).
John Dolben was born on 12 February 1684 at Bishopthorpe Palace, the only son of Sir Gilbert Dolben, first baronet (1658/9-1722) and his wife, Anne (d. 1744). His grandfather, John Dolben, was Archbishop of York in 1683-1686. He attended Westminster School and Christ Church, University of Oxford, graduating B.A. on 22 January 1704, proceeding M.A. on 8 July 1707 and finally D.D. in 1717. Embarking initially on a career in law at the Inner Temple, he decided to enter into the church and was ordained deacon in June 1709 and priest in April 1711. He became chaplain to Thomas Sprat, bishop of Rochester, shortly after on 11 April 1711, and subdean of the Chapel Royal on 20 April 1713. He was dismissed from office on 20 March 1718, but became a prebendary of Durham in the same year and rector of Burton Latimer on 3 February 1719. Dolben had been vicar of Finedon, Northamptonshire since 1714, and died there on 20 November 1756. He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son, William Dolben (1727-1814). His armorial bookplate appears in many of the rare books (over 800 volumes) at Finedon Church Library.