KEBLE, JOHN, son of the rev. John Keble of Coln St. Alwynds, Gloucestershire, and Sarah Maule, a lady of Scotch descent, was b. at Fairford, 3 m. from his father's living, April 25, 1792. The elder Keble, a divine of the school of Ken, educated his son at home, and with such success that at the early age of 15 lie was elected scholar of Corpus Christi, Oxford, then a small college composed wholly of members on the foundation, but numbering among its scholars such names as Coleridge (sir J. T.) and Arnold of Rugby. In 1810 Keble took a first-class in classics and mathematics; and in the next year was elected to a fellowship at Oriel, one of the highest honors in the university. In 1812 he gained both the Latin and English prize essays, was ordained deacon in 1815, and priest in 1816. Even then he had chosen his career. Neither the prospect of .emolument at Oxford, nor the intellectual attractions of the Odel corm:don-room, of which Whately and Copleston were then members, and to which Arnold, Pnsey, and Newman were soon afterwards added, could charm him from his first love, the life of an English parish priest. For a while be remained at Oxford as tutor and examiner, but soon took active clerical duty, principally assisting his father. In June, 1827, in deference to the wishes of his friends, he published The Christian Year; or, Thoughts in Verse for • the Sundays and Holidays throughout the Year, portions of which had been written as early as 1819. The success of the small volume, and its influence on religious thought iu England, can hardly be overrated. The number of editions sold (some of 3,000 copies) is marvelous. Although of unequal merit, many of the pieces being evi dently written to complete the original plan, it is a work of genuine inspiration, com bining with rare depth and fullness of religious feeling, the tenderest sensibility and a poet's appreciation of nature in her more sympathetic and human aspects. In 1831 Keble succeeded Milman as professor of poetry. His official prelections are ingenious in theory, and composed in elegant Latin prose. But the time had come when be must
quit the pleasant paths of poesy for the tumult of theological controversy. It was a period of peril for the English church. Within was apathy and want of spiritual life, save only in the extreme evangelicals, from whose defects of learning and taste Oxford naturally revolted. Without, a reformed parliament had already suppressed three Irish bishoprics, and seemed not unreluctant to lay hands upon the church at home. In his sermon on national apostasy (1833) Keble gave the signal for the tractarian movement—a movement remarkable for the learning and ascetic saintliness of its promoters, and whose principles were deep submission to authority, implicit reverence for Catholic tradition, with firm belief in the divine prerogatives of the priesthood, the real nature of the sacraments, and the danger of independent speculation. Early in 1835 old Mr. Keble died, and at the close of the same year the poet married Miss Charlotte Clark, the daughter of au old friend of his father, and quitted Fairford for Hursley, a living in the gift of sir W. Heathcote, M.P. When Newman seceded to Rome, Keble, less logical perhaps, but with a truer instinct of fidelity to the Anglican church, remained firm, and amidst the general dismay exerted himself to the utmost to confirm those who wavered. From this period till his death his influence, though comparatively unseen, was not less felt. His Lyra Innocentium, in 1846, never equaled'The Christian Year. Keble died at Bournemouth Mar. 29, 1866, at the age of 74. Keble was the author of a Life of Bishop Wilson; an edition of Hooker; and several lesser contributions to periodical lit erature. A permanent memorial of Keble exists in Keble college, Oxford, incorpo rated June 6, 1870. Intended as a memorial to Keble, it provides an academical educa tion, economical living, with Christian training in accordance with the principles of the church of England. See ifenwir of Keble by sir J. T. Coleridge. 1869.