Richard Overton was a writer who is best known for radical booklets that he created during the English revolution. He was born in the year 1599. He was of British origin. He lived to be 65 years old and passed away in the year 1664. Though his life was short his works left a legacy because through them he demonstrated courage.
Not much is known of this writers early life but he is believed to have enrolled at the Queens College in Cambridge. He was also a playwright and actor in Southwark. He was unknown for most part of his life until the year 1640. This is the year when his booklets began being circulated. At first his pamphlets which were satirical in nature were aimed at criticizing the Church of England. It is believed that Richard had converted to General Baptism religion through this period.
In one of his documents titled Mans Mortalitie he put down one of his most controversial theories. His theory on religion was purely materialistic. He believed that just like the body the soul is also perishable. Both soul and body of a human being die but at the final judgement both are resurrected. Other members of the General Baptism also believed in this theory. Presbyterian Protestants from other churches criticized this line of thought because they thought it was wrong and heretical.
During the year 1645 the writer started to become more famous because of his religious pamphlets as well as political works. He also joined the Leveller Movement which fought for religious tolerance and sovereignty of the people. It is not very clear but it is thought that William Walwyn alongside Richard Overton wrote The Remonstrance of Many Thousand Citizens. This is one of the Leveller Movements best pieces about their arguments.
In 1646 the author wrote a diatribe to argue for John Liburne to be released from prison. He was jailed for writing this diatribe which was taken as a criminal act by the Government. Richard was locked up in Newgate Prison. Though doing time behind bars he still went on with his important works. He put down many pamphlets arguing for the rights and freedom of an individual while he was still behind bars.
He was set free from Newgate prison in the fall of 1647. When he came out he went on to work with the Leveller mutineer against the Grandees. In the Civil War of England the Grandees represented the gentry. The Leveller mutiny was crashed by the Grandees who were more powerful and controlling.
In the year 1649 the author was sent to prison yet again. This is because he had made more political pamphlets voicing out his opinions. Those in power considered these pieces acts of treason and thus the reason for jailing him. Later during the same year he was set free.
He continued to fight for the rights of the individual through his pamphlets. He believed in equality of all men. He also advocated for the Government to change. He also believed in sovereignty and he wanted monarchy to be abolished. The last couple of years of Richard Overton are not documented because not much is known about his activities.
Not much is known of this writers early life but he is believed to have enrolled at the Queens College in Cambridge. He was also a playwright and actor in Southwark. He was unknown for most part of his life until the year 1640. This is the year when his booklets began being circulated. At first his pamphlets which were satirical in nature were aimed at criticizing the Church of England. It is believed that Richard had converted to General Baptism religion through this period.
In one of his documents titled Mans Mortalitie he put down one of his most controversial theories. His theory on religion was purely materialistic. He believed that just like the body the soul is also perishable. Both soul and body of a human being die but at the final judgement both are resurrected. Other members of the General Baptism also believed in this theory. Presbyterian Protestants from other churches criticized this line of thought because they thought it was wrong and heretical.
During the year 1645 the writer started to become more famous because of his religious pamphlets as well as political works. He also joined the Leveller Movement which fought for religious tolerance and sovereignty of the people. It is not very clear but it is thought that William Walwyn alongside Richard Overton wrote The Remonstrance of Many Thousand Citizens. This is one of the Leveller Movements best pieces about their arguments.
In 1646 the author wrote a diatribe to argue for John Liburne to be released from prison. He was jailed for writing this diatribe which was taken as a criminal act by the Government. Richard was locked up in Newgate Prison. Though doing time behind bars he still went on with his important works. He put down many pamphlets arguing for the rights and freedom of an individual while he was still behind bars.
He was set free from Newgate prison in the fall of 1647. When he came out he went on to work with the Leveller mutineer against the Grandees. In the Civil War of England the Grandees represented the gentry. The Leveller mutiny was crashed by the Grandees who were more powerful and controlling.
In the year 1649 the author was sent to prison yet again. This is because he had made more political pamphlets voicing out his opinions. Those in power considered these pieces acts of treason and thus the reason for jailing him. Later during the same year he was set free.
He continued to fight for the rights of the individual through his pamphlets. He believed in equality of all men. He also advocated for the Government to change. He also believed in sovereignty and he wanted monarchy to be abolished. The last couple of years of Richard Overton are not documented because not much is known about his activities.
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