John Grote (May 5, 1813 – August 21, 1866) was an English moral philosopher, Anglican clergyman, and academic.
Queer Places:
University of Cambridge, 4 Mill Ln, Cambridge CB2 1RZ
St Mary and St Michael Churchyard, 1a Grantchester Rd, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 9LH, United Kingdom
John Grote (May 5, 1813 – August 21, 1866) was an English moral philosopher, Anglican clergyman, and academic.
Born on May 5, 1813, in Beckenham, Kent, England, to George Grote Sr. (a banker) and Selina Mary Grote (née Peckwell).
He was the younger brother of the prominent historian, politician, and utilitarian philosopher George Grote.
Entered Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1831, graduating with honors in classics and mathematics in 1835. He became a fellow of Trinity in 1837.
Ordained as a deacon in 1842 and a priest in 1844, he served as the vicar of Trumpington (near Cambridge) from 1847 until his death in 1866.
In 1855, he succeeded William Whewell as the Knightbridge Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Cambridge, influencing notable later thinkers such as Henry Sidgwick and John Venn.
Grote was best known for his critiques of utilitarianism (particularly targeting the views of John Stuart Mill) and his contributions to the philosophy of language and ethics. Notable works—many published posthumously—include: Exploratio Philosophica: Rough Notes on Modern Intellectual Science (1865), An Examination of the Utilitarian Philosophy (1870), A Treatise on the Moral Ideals (1876).
Despite their philosophical differences (George being a utilitarian reformer and John an idealist opponent of utilitarianism), the brothers maintained a close lifelong bond.
Grote shared a deep friendship with the mathematician and scholar Robert Leslie Ellis. Ellis spent his final years (1852–1859) living in Trumpington near Grote. Grote acknowledged a massive intellectual debt to Ellis in his Exploratio Philosophica and later wrote a poignant biographical study of Ellis's character.
There is no historical or biographical record linking John Grote to LGBTQ themes, communities, or identities. His life followed the traditional path of a Victorian-era academic, Anglican clergyman, and parish vicar.
References:
Support this project
This website is a passion project researched, developed, and funded entirely by me. If you find the content valuable and would like to help support the ongoing research and hosting costs, any contribution is deeply appreciated.
Thank you for keeping this independent resource alive!
My books on Amazon: Elisa Rolle's books