Thomas Dix Hincks
Thomas Dix Hincks ((24 June 1767 in Dublin, Ireland – 1857 in Belfast, Ireland) was an Irish orientalist and naturalist. He was a founding member of the Belfast Natural History Society and a member of the Royal Irish Academy.[1]
Early life and education
Hincks was born in Dublin to customs officer Edward Hincks and his wife, who came from the Dix family.[1]
Hincks was apprenticed to an apothecary, but entered Trinity College, Dublin in 1782 to train as a minister; he left his course and studied at the New College in London (a dissenting academy) to complete his training.[1]
Career
Hincks was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1792 and worked at the Old Presbyterian Church (Unitarian) on Princes Street in Cork.[2]
After teaching in the Cork Institution, which he founded, he taught in Fermoy, County Cork. In 1821 he was appointed Master of the Classical School at the Belfast Academical Institution; he became Professor of Oriental Languages the following year, and taught at the school for over 25 years.[1] He gained a Doctorate in Laws from Glasgow University in 1834.
He was a founding member of the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society, and produced several speeches and pamphlets regarding nature.[1]
He retired to Belfast and died there; he and his wife are buried in the Anglican parish graveyard at Killyleagh, County Down.[3]
The Unitarian Church in Prince’s Street, Cork, has a plaque in his honour.[2]
Publications
He wrote A Greek-English Lexicon. Containing all the words that occur in the books used in most schools and collegiate courses, as well as a Geography textbook.[1] He also edited the Munster Agricultural Magazine in Cork.[4] For Rees's Cyclopædia he contributed the article on Ireland (Vol 19), 1811 and other Irish topics.
Personal life
On 6 September 1791, Thomas married Anne Boult (d. 1835).[1]
They had seven children, and four of them became ministers.[3]
Three of the Hincks’ children had distinguished careers;
- (1) Edward Hincks, Orientalist and minister in the Church of Ireland [3][4]
- (2) William Hincks, Unitarian minister and Professor of Natural History [2]
- (3) Sir Francis Hincks, Canadian politician and Governor of Barbados. [4]
His grandson Thomas David Hincks (b. 1818) was a preacher and naturalist in Cork and Leeds.[3][5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Leaney, Enda. "Hincks, Thomas Dix". Irish Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Rev. Thomas Dix Hincks, (1767–1857) Naturalist and scholar". Dublin Unitarian Church. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Steers, David. "The family of the Rev Thomas Dix Hincks, LLD, MRIA (1767-1857)". Unitarian Historical Society UK. Retrieved 10 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 Newmann, Kate (2026). "Thomas Dix Hincks (1767 - 1857): Cleric, Presbyterian And Academic". New Ulster Biography. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ "Rev. Thomas Hincks". Leeds Beckett University. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
Additional sources
- Nash, R. and Ross, H.C.G. The development of natural history in early 19th century Ireland in From Linnaeus to Darwin: commentaries on the history of biology and geology Society for the bibliography of Natural History 13:27-
- Foster, John Wilson; Helena C. G. Chesney, eds. (1997). Nature in Ireland: A Scientific and Cultural History. Dublin: Lilliput Press. ISBN 1-874675-29-5.
External links
- . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.