Alexander Cruden

Alexander Cruden
Born	1699-05-31 Aberdeen, Scotland
Died	1770-11-01
Occupation(s)	Writer, editor, publisher, proofreader, bookseller
Known for	Compiling one of the earliest Bible concordances; self-styled national Corrector

Alexander Cruden (31 May 1699 – 1 November 1770) was a Scottish writer, editor, and publisher, renowned for compiling one of the earliest Bible concordances and adopting the role of the nation's ethical Corrector.

Early life and career

Cruden was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, with his baptism recorded on 8 June 1699. He received his education at Aberdeen Grammar School and later at Marischal College, University of Aberdeen, where he developed proficiency in Latin, Greek, and Biblical studies.

After obtaining a Master of Arts degree, he suffered from mental health challenges triggered by a failed love affair. Once recovered, he relocated to London and took up private tutoring positions in Southgate and Ware. In 1729, he secured employment with the 10th Earl of Derby as a reader and secretary but was dismissed due to inadequate French pronunciation. Despite attempts to regain the role through language training, the earl declined to reinstate him.

Concordance

Cruden's Bible Concordance achieved enduring acclaim, with editions continuing to be published after his death since its initial release in 1737. It remains an essential resource for clergy and biblical scholars.

While earlier concordances served as rudimentary tools, Cruden’s compilation was the most thorough and systematic until the advent of computerized indexing. He introduced the innovation of citing entire sentences surrounding verses rather than merely listing verse references, thereby improving usability by offering richer literary context.

The first edition was presented to Queen Caroline on 3 November 1737; however, she passed away soon after without providing financial support, leaving Cruden to incur debts to finance its publication. The second edition, dedicated to King George III, was delivered personally in 1761 and earned Cruden £100. The third edition followed in 1769. Although the initial edition saw limited commercial success, later editions generated significant profit for Cruden.

Corrector

In addition to compiling the concordance, Cruden worked as a proofreader and bookseller, contributing to the textual accuracy of various Greek and Latin classics. He established a bookselling business in the Royal Exchange and in April 1735 secured the honorary title of bookseller to the Queen, endorsed by the Lord Mayor and numerous Whig aldermen. This position was largely ceremonial and provided no substantial income. After an unsuccessful bid for knighthood, he was briefly nominated as a Parliamentary candidate for the City of London in 1754 but withdrew from the race. Subsequently, Cruden adopted the self-styled title of Corrector, dedicating himself to preserving proper spelling, grammar, and moral standards nationwide. He focused on rectifying misspelled signs, graffiti, profanity, and violations of Sabbath observance—often carrying a sponge to erase what he considered offensive or erroneous inscriptions.

Though respected by officials at Oxford and Cambridge universities, Cruden faced ridicule from students there, including a mock knighting ceremony at Cambridge. He appointed deputy correctors at prestigious institutions such as Eton, Windsor, Tonbridge, and Westminster, delegating four boys as assistants at Westminster. His work An Admonition to Cambridge is preserved among correspondence held by the British Museum.

Opposed to radical figure John Wilkes, Cruden authored a pamphlet criticizing him and regularly removed instances of the number 45—Wilkes’s emblem—whenever encountered.

In 1756, The Correctors Earnest Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain was published following the Lisbon earthquake. In 1762 he intervened to save a sailor from execution and documented this event in a pamphlet released in 1763. In 1769 he delivered lectures in Aberdeen under his Corrector title while distributing religious literature. His sharp humor is exemplified by presenting an arrogant young minister with A Mother's Catechism dedicated to the young and ignorant.

Other works

Cruden authored a pamphlet addressed to Lord H., who was probably Secretary of State Harrington, entitled The London Citizen exceedingly injured, or a British Inquisition Displayed. Additionally, he produced a separate pamphlet recounting his legal difficulties, which he dedicated to the King.

He managed the printing of one of Matthew Henry's Commentaries and, in 1750, released a concise Compendium of the Holy Bible that provided summaries for each chapter. In 1761, Cruden assembled "A Complete Concordance to the Apocrypha," now recognized as Cruden's Concordance. His final publication, The Scripture Dictionary, was issued posthumously in Aberdeen as a two-volume set shortly after his passing in 1770.

Mental health

Following his university education, Cruden intended to join the clergy but was institutionalized due to concerns regarding his mental well-being, marking the beginning of multiple hospitalizations. The reasons behind his repeated confinement have been subject to debate; while traditionally attributed to his intense dedication, some suggest political motives aimed at suppressing his outspoken criticism of aristocratic marriages and unwelcome pursuits of women. Notably, he was confined after persistently courting women beyond his social standing and following a street confrontation in 1753.

In April 1755, Cruden made public appeals to both the House of Commons and the King and simultaneously engaged in inappropriate advances toward Sir Thomas Abney's daughter. He remained unmarried throughout his life.

Death

Cruden passed away suddenly while engaged in prayer at Camden Passage, Islington, on 1 November 1770. His interment took place in a Protestant dissenters' cemetery located in Southwark. He bequeathed a portion of his savings to fund a bursary at Aberdeen University, thereby ensuring his lasting impact as a benefactor.

External links

• Significant Scots
• Calvin College Christian library
• Webwords 25: Loving Words
• Works at Open Library