Thomas Walkington

Thomas Walkington, an English cleric who died in 1621, was educated at Cambridge and later received degrees from Oxford. He held several clerical positions, including vicarages in Raunds and Fulham, and a rectory in Wadingham. Walkington is primarily recognized for his book, "The Optick Glasse of Humors," published around 1607. This work explored the four temperaments (sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, melancholic) and is noted for anticipating the themes found in Robert Burton's more famous "Anatomy of Melancholy."

The "Optick Glasse of Humors" underwent several editions and was printed in London and Oxford, featuring different dedications and engraved title pages in later versions. The authorship was once mistakenly attributed to "T. Wombwell" by Richard Farmer. Beyond this significant work, Walkington also authored theological writings, including an exposition on Hebrews, "Theologicall Rules," and "Enigmata Sacra" (Holy Riddles), and a work titled "Rabboni, Mary Magdalen's Teares of Sorrow." He is also credited with a sermon on Ecclesiastes.

Thomas Walkington's most notable contribution to literature is "The Optick Glasse of Humors, or the Touchstone of a Golden Temperature, or the Philosophers Stone to make a Golden Temper." Published initially around 1607, this book delves into the four classical temperaments: sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, and melancholic. It is significant for its early exploration of these concepts, predating Robert Burton's "Anatomy of Melancholy" by over a decade. The work was dedicated by Walkington, identified as a Master of Arts, to Sir Justinian Lewin from his Cambridge study. Later editions, including one from Oxford and others from London in 1630 and 1663, featured elaborate engraved title pages depicting graduates holding an optic glass or touchstone, symbolizing the universities of Cambridge and Oxford. The book's ideas have been linked to discussions on human disposition and temperament, with some scholars noting connections to classical thought and even literary interpretations, such as its alleged influence on Shakespearean dialogue.

Beyond his seminal work on humors, Thomas Walkington led a life as an English cleric. He pursued higher education at Cambridge, earning B.A. and M.A. degrees, and later held a fellowship at St. John's College. His academic credentials were further solidified with degrees from Oxford and Cambridge, culminating in a D.D. from Cambridge. Walkington served in various ecclesiastical roles, holding the vicarage of Raunds, the rectory of Wadingham, and the vicarage of Fulham. His published theological works include "An Exposition of the two first verses of the sixth chapter to the Hebrews, in form of a Dialogue," "Theologicall Rules to guide us in the Understanding and Practice of Holy Scriptures," which also contained "Enigmata Sacra" or "Holy Riddles," and "Rabboni, Mary Magdalen's Teares of Sorrow." He is also believed to have authored a sermon on Ecclesiastes.