Atterbury is a surname of English origin, most prominently associated with Francis Atterbury, a significant figure in 17th and 18th-century English ecclesiastical and political history.
Etymology
The surname Atterbury is believed to be a habitational name, derived from a place name, though the specific location is not universally agreed upon. It likely refers to a "borough" or "fortified place" belonging to a person named "Atta" or located "at the borough," suggesting a geographical origin from a settlement.
Notable People
The most prominent individual bearing this surname is:
- Francis Atterbury (1662–1732): An English man of letters, high church Anglican bishop, and Tory politician.
- Early Life and Career: Born in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Atterbury was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford. He quickly gained a reputation as an eloquent preacher and a sharp controversialist, aligning himself with the High Church party. He became a royal chaplain in 1700 and Dean of Carlisle in 1704. His intellectual abilities and rhetorical skills made him a prominent figure in the Church of England.
- Bishop of Rochester and Dean of Westminster: In 1713, during the final years of Queen Anne's reign and the Tory ministry, Atterbury was consecrated Bishop of Rochester and simultaneously appointed Dean of Westminster. These were highly influential positions that placed him at the heart of both ecclesiastical and political power.
- Political Alignments and Jacobitism: A staunch Tory, Atterbury became a vocal opponent of the Whig government that came to power with the accession of George I in 1714. He was a leading figure among the High Church clergy, many of whom harbored strong Jacobite sympathies, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy. Atterbury himself became deeply involved in the Jacobite cause.
- Conspiracy and Exile: In 1722, Atterbury was implicated in a major Jacobite plot (often referred to as "Atterbury's Plot") to overthrow the Hanoverian dynasty and place James Francis Edward Stuart on the throne. He was arrested, imprisoned in the Tower of London, and charged with high treason. Despite his eloquent defense before the House of Lords, he was deprived of his ecclesiastical offices and banished from the kingdom by an Act of Attainder in 1723.
- Later Life in Exile: Atterbury spent the remainder of his life in exile, primarily in France (initially in Brussels, then Paris), where he continued to correspond with Jacobite leaders and maintain his literary interests. He died in Paris in 1732 and his body was returned to England for burial in Westminster Abbey.
- Literary Significance: Atterbury was known for his elegant prose, his skill as a polemicist, and his powerful oratory. He was a friend and correspondent of prominent literary figures of his time, including Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, and John Dryden, contributing to the Augustan age of English literature.
Other Uses
While primarily a surname, Atterbury may also appear in:
- Place Names: Minor localities, streets, or geographical features, often named after individuals bearing the surname or prominent families.
- Institutions: Historical or private institutions (e.g., schools, charitable organizations) that may have been founded by or named after members of the Atterbury family.