Gadbury, John
, one of the astrological impostors
of the seventeenth century, was born at Wheatly near Oxford, Dec. 31, 1627. His father, William, was a farmer
of that place, and his mother was a daughter of sir John
Curzon of Waterperry, knt. Our conjuror was first put
apprentice to Thomas Nicols, a taylor, in Oxford, but
leaving his master in 1644, he went up to London, and
became a pupil of the noted William Lilly, under whom
be profited so far as to be soon enabled “to set up the
trade of almanack-making and fortune-telling for himself.”
His pen was employed for many years on nativities, almanacks, and prodigies. There is, we believe, a complete
collection of his printed works in the new catalogue of the
British Museum, and vre hope we shall be excused for not
transcribing the list. Dodd, who has given an account of
him, as a Roman catholic, says that some of his almanacks,
reflecting upon the management of state affairs during the
time of Oates’s plot, brought him into trouble. While
other astrologers were content to exercise their art for the
benefit of their own country only, Gadbury extended his
to a remote part of the globe, as, in 1674, he published
his “West India, or Jamaica Almanack” for that year.
He collected and published the works of his friend sir
George Wharton in 1683, 8vo. His -old master Lilly, who
quarrelled with him, and against whom he wrote a book
called “Anti-Merlinus Anglicus,” says he was a “monster
of ingratitude,” and “a graceless fellow;” which is true,
if, according to his account, he had two wives living at
one time, and one of them two husbands. Lilly adds, that
be went to sea with intention for Barbadoes, but died by
the way in his voyage. When this happened we are not
told. Lilly died in 16S1, and according to Wood, Gadbury was living in 1690. “The Black Life of John Gadbury” was written and published by Partridge in 1693,
which might be about the time of his death, but his name,
as was usual, appeared long after this in an almanack, similar to that published in his life-time. There was another
astrologer, a Job Gadbury, who was taught his art by John,
and probably succeeded him in the almanack, and who
died in 1715. 1
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names)in the Early English Books Online Collection:
Philastrogus knavery epitomized, with a vindication of Mr. Culpeper, Mr. Lilly, and the rest of the students in that noble art, from all the false aspersions (of the malicious antagonists) cast upon them, about the great eclipse of the Sunne. Whereunto is annexed an epistle to all moderate spirited men, shewing the peoples great mistakes, and misunderstanding of the honest and ingenious artists, who spake truly, as is averred by this ensuing tractate. / Written by J.G. a lover of all ingenious arts and artists - Aprill the 5. 1652. (1652)
Animal cornutum, or The horn'd beast: wherein is contained, 1 a brief method of the grounds of astrology, 2 a description of each planet and sign, 3 the way to erect a figure of heaven, 4 a narrative of what visible eclipses (both of sun and moon) will appear in our horizon, for these 15 years yet to come, with the month, day, and hour when they happen. Whereunto is annexed, an examination of a spurious pamphlet (intituled, Astrology proved to be the doctrine of dæmons) laying open the antagonist's malice, and folly; with a refutation of his errors, by an astrological example, in figure, and judgement. / Composed for the benefit of all those that are desirous to exercise themselves herein, by J. Gadbury, a lover of the celestial sciences. (1654)
Esoptron Astrologikon. Astrological opticks. Wherein are represented the faces of every signe, with the images of each degree in the zodiack: thereby describing, 1. The nature and quality of every person, according to the degree ascending in the east at his nativity. 2. The virtue and signification of every planet through the 12. signes. 3. A most excellent description of the more hidden and abstruse influence of [symbol for Mercury] in his [symbol for conjunction] with all other the planets. 4. A clear explanation of the signification of the horoscope in any signe of the zodiack. / Compiled at Venice, by those famous mathematicians, Johann. Regiomontanus and Johannes Angelus. (1655)
The nativity of that most illustrious and magnanimous prince, Carolus Gustavus, King of Sweden, astrologically handled; and published for the honour of art, and the satisfaction of all sorts of persons generally, as well astrologers as others; and particularly for the better information of Mr. William Lilly. Written by Merlinus Verax. (1659)
Britains royal star: Or, An astrological demonstration of Englands future felicity; deduced from the position of the heavens as they beheld the earth in the meridian of London, at the first proclaiming of his Sacred Majesty King Charles the second, on May 8. 10h. 56m. A.M. 1660. And an enquiry made into the use and abuse of astrologie, resolving whether it be convenient to be continued or contemned. Also, an admirable observation of a conjunction of Jupiter and Mars made in the year 1170. by a learned monck of Canterbury, communicated to the learned in astronomy. Together with an exaination and refutation of that nest of sedition, published by Mr. H. Jessey, concerning frogs, dogs, &c. in his pamplet falsly intituled, The Lods Loud call to England, &c. By John Gadbury, philomathematicus. (1660)
Pseudo-astrologos, or, The spurious prognosticator unmasked. Being a short examen of the the manifold errors and fallacies, falshoods and flatteries, published by Mr. W. Lilly in his Merlin 1659. Wherein his ignorance in astrology is explained and exploded; his scandalous girdings at the king of Denmark, duke of Brandenburgh, and the states of Holland, noted; his nefarious dealing with the late lord protector of England, and the king of Sweden, discovered; his impudent, arrogant and artless assertions, retorted and refuted. / By G.J. ... (1660)
A Declaration of the several treasons, blasphemies and misdemeanors acted, spoken and published against God, the late King, his present Majesty, the nobility, clergy, city, commonalty, &c. by that grand wizard and impostor William Lilly of St. Clements Danes, other wise called Merlinus Anglicus presented to the right honourable the members of the House of Parliament : in order to secure him from acting any further villanies against His Majesty. (1660)
Neophuto-astrologos. = The novice-astrologer instructed in a New-Years-gift to Mr. William Lilly; occasioned by the scurrility, scandal, ignorance, and flattery of his Merlin for the ensuing year. With two dedicatory epistles; the one to the learned divines, the other to the honest astrologers of this nation. / By G.J. or J.G. which Lilly the parasite pleaseth. (1660)
Natura prodigiorum or, a discourse touching the nature of prodigies. Together with the kinds, causes and effects, of comets, eclipses, and earthquakes. With an appendix touching the imposturism of the commonly-received doctrine of prophecies, spirits, images, sigils, lamens, the christal, &c. and the propugners of such opinions. / By John Gadbury philomathēmatikos. (1660)
Dies novissimus, or, Dooms-day not so near as dreaded together with something touching the present invasion of the Turk into the German Empire and the probable success thereof / by John Gadbury ... (1664)
London's deliverance predicted in a short discourse shewing the cause of plagues in general, and the probable time (God not contradicting the course of second causes) when the present pest may abate, &c. / by John Gadbury. (1665)
The prophecie of one of His Maiesties chaplains, concerning the plague and black-patches with Mr. Gadburies happy and joyful predictions, for the decrease of the plague both in the city and suburbs; the time when; the manner how; by God's permission, and according to natural causes; the effects and motion of the planets, and what every week may produce for the thrice-happy and welcome abatement of this sad and dismal pestilence; and the city of London to be wholly acquit thereof about (or before) Christmas. (1665)
Vox solis: or, an astrological discourse of the great eclipse of the sun, which happened on June 22. 1666 in 10 deg. of the watry signe Cancer. Shewing what effects may most probably attend it, and unto what persons, kingdoms and countries, they are chiefly directed. By John Gadbury, Philomathēmapkoz. With allowance. Intended to have been publisht in his Ephemeris for this present year 1667. but prevented by reason of the late terrible conflagration of London. (1667)
A brief relation of the life and death of the late famous astrologer, Mr. Vincent Wing Together with his nativity, as it was done, many years before his death, by his own hand; and now, for general satisfaction, made publick. By J.G. philomathētikos. (1669)
The just and pious scorpionist, or, The nativity of that thrice excellent man, Sir Matthew Hales, late Lord Chief Justice of England who was born in the year of our Lord 1609, on Wednesday Novemb. the first 7h 8' manè, under the cœlestial scorpion, astrologically consider'd / by John Gadbury. (1677)
Astrological predictions for the year, 1679 shewing, according to the most approv'd of rules of that sublime study, what revolutions, or accidents, are likely to happen in many parts of the world, especially in England, Scotland, and Ireland / by J.G. ... (1679)
A ballad upon the Popish Plot written by a lady of quality. (1679)
The nativity of the most valiant and puissant monarch, Lewis the fourteenth, king of France and Navarre astronomically and astrologically handled. (1680)
Magna veritas, or, John Gadbury, student in physick and astrology, not a papist but a true Protestant of the Church of England published for the satisfaction of all such as know not the said John Gadbury and yet give credit to all kinds of scandals and falshoods that pass upon his much injured reputation since his late unfortunate confinement. (1680)
A true narrative of the horrid hellish popish-plot To the tune of Packington's Pound, the first part.A true narrative of the horrid hellish popish-plot. Part 1. (1682)
A true narrative of the horrid hellish popish-plot To the tune of Packington's Pound, the second part.A true narrative of the horrid hellish popish-plot. Part 2. (1682)
Fore-warn'd, fore-arm'd, or, England's timely warning in general and London's in particular by a collection of five prophetical predictions published by Mr. William Lilly forty years ago, two of Mr. John Gadbury's, anno 1678, and one of Mother Shipton's long since, all at large published in the said Mr. Lilly and Gadbury's own words, purporting I, London's danger anno 1683 and its catastrophe soon thereafter, II, The danger that the Protestant religion will be brought unto all over Europe, and by whom effected and where contrived, III, That England in general will be brought into great calamities and by what means, IV, The extinguishment of a very great family in some part of Europe, V, That the breach of some nations priviledges, ancient customs and long enjoyed rights may produce dangerous effects : all of which are published by the author, not to affright the people with, but to warn them of, knowing that evil before-hand warned of commonly hurts less then that which comes at unawares. (1682)
John Gadbury, student in astrology, his past and present opinion of the Ottoman or Turkish power together with what he hath wrote concerning the great and puissant French-king, a prince, if there be truth in the stars, not born to be miserable, as some boldly write, but to be one of the greatest bulwarks of Christendom.Past and present opinion of the Ottoman or Turkish power (1683)
The works of that late most excellent philosopher and astronomer, Sir George Wharton, bar. collected into one volume / by John Gadbvry ... (1683)
Cardines cœli, or, An appeal to the learned and experienced observers of sublunars and their vicissitudes whether the cardinal signes of heaven are not most influential upon men and things proved by X. remarkable genitures, &c. in a reply to the learned author of Cometomantia wherein the character of Gassendus is defended and sundry other starry truths are justified / by John Gadbury ... (1684)
Festum festorum, or, A discourse touching the holy feast of Easter shewing how it may be established for ever / by John Gadbury ... (1687)
Mene tekel being an astrological judgment on the great and wonderful year 1688. Deduced from the true and genuine principles of that art: shewing the approaching catastrophe of popery in England, &c. (1688)
Mene mene, tekel upharsin. The second part of Mene tekel, treating of the year MDCLXXXIX. : And modestly shewing what may probably be conjectured to succeed in the affairs of Europe in general, and of England, Holland, Scotland, and France in particular; with something also about the affairs of Ireland, and the French King's forces there. : To which is added a treasonable paper dispersed among the papists, by J. Gadbury, with some reflections thereon, and also on his almanack for 1689. / By John Partridge. (1689)
Gadburies prophetical sayings: or, The fool judged out of the knave's mouth. (1690)
The scurrilous scribler dissected: or, A word in William Lilly's ear concerning his reputation, which he complains is injured by J.G. that ungrateful scorpionist, as he the said Lilly scurrilously terms him. (1693)
Astrologonaytis or, The astrological seaman directing merchants, mariners, &c. adventuring to sea, how (by God's blessing) to escape many dangers which commonly happen in the ocean. Unto which (by way of appendix) is added, A diary of the weather for XXI. years, very exactly observed in London: with sundry observations made thereon. By John Gadbury, student in physick and astrology.Nauticum astrologicum (1697)
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