BARNETT, JACOB:

By: Joseph Jacobs

Hebrew teacher at Oxford about 1613. He gave instruction to the students, under the direction of Richard Killye, regiusprofessor of Hebrew. When Isaac Casaubon visited the university in 1613, he was much struck by Barnett's abilities, and, in order to perfect his own knowledge of Hebrew, carried him off to London. There Barnett showed signs of attraction toward Christianity; and elaborate preparations were made for his reception into the Church at Oxford, under the auspices of the vice-chancellor. On the appointed day, however, Barnett was not to be found; and the preacher of the special sermon delivered one instead on Jewish perfidy. Barnett was discovered and put in prison, but on Casaubon's entreaty was released, and banished from the kingdom Nov. 16, 1613. His subsequent fate is unknown.

J.