author
Samuel Pratt
d. 1723
An English clergyman and writer in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, he moved through some of the Church of England’s most prominent posts while also publishing sermons and political and economic works. His surviving writings give a glimpse of the public questions that mattered in his day, from civic duty to coinage and national finance.
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About the author
Born around 1658 or 1659, Samuel Pratt—sometimes spelled Prat—was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and later became a well-placed figure in the Church of England. He served as chaplain to Princess Anne, was appointed a Canon of Windsor in 1697, and became Dean of Rochester in 1706, holding those offices until his death on November 14, 1723.
Pratt was also an active author. Records of his works show sermons such as Publick-spiritedness recommended as well as prose on public policy, including The regulating silver coin, made practicable and easie. That mix of religious and civic writing suggests a writer engaged not only with theology, but also with the practical political and economic concerns of his time.
Although he is not widely read today, Pratt stands out as one of those early modern churchmen whose careers crossed naturally into print culture. His books and sermons preserve the voice of a period when clergy often took part in public debate as well as religious life.