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Digby (SIR KENELM an English natural)

SIR KENELM, an English natural philospher; born in Gayhurst, near Newport Pagnell, July 11, 1603.

DIGBY DIGESTION His father, Sir Everard Digby (1581- aperture (the mouth) by which food 1606) in 1592 came into a large estate, enters, and another aperture (the anus) but seven years later turned Catholic, through which undigested matter leaves and was hanged as a Gunpowder conspir- the body. The mouth in most animals is ator. A "Life" of him appeared in 1896.

Kenelm himself was bred a Catholic, but in 1618, after a half-year in Spain, entered Gloucester Hall, Oxford (now Worcester College). At Madrid he fell in with Prince Charles, and, following him back to England was knighted, and entered his service. In 1625 he secretly married "that celebrated beautie and courtezane," Venetia Stanley (1600- 1633). With two privateers he sailed in 1628 to the Mediterranean, and on June 11 vanquished a French and Venetian squadron on Scanderoon. On his beloved wife's death he withdrew to Gresham College, and there passed two hermitlike years, diverting himself with chemistry. Meanwhile he had turned Protestant, but, in 1636 he announced to Laud his reconversion; and his tortuous conduct during the Great Rebellion was dictated, it seems, by his zeal for Catholicism. He was imprisoned by the Parliament (1642-1643), and had his estate confiscated; was at Rome (1645-1647), f and thrice revisited England (1649-1651- 1654), entering into close relations with Cromwell. At the Restoration, however, he retained his office of chancellor to Queen Henrietta Maria. He was one of the first members of the Royal Society (1663), and died June 11, 1665.