John Bowle

John Bowl (1725-1788) was an English clergyman and scholar, best known today for his pioneering annotated Cervantes edition of Don Quixote. Bowl, whom his friends Don Bowl called, came from Dr. John Bowl, Bishop of Rochester. He was born on October 26, 1725, was educated at Oriel College in Oxford and became a master in 1750. He was elected a member of the Society of Antiquaries in 1776. Entering the sacred orders, he received the vicar of Idmiston (in his word "Idedeston"). Don Quixote) in Wiltshire, where he died on October 26, 1788, at the age of 63. An erudite scientist, Bowl was familiar with French, Spanish, and Italian literature and accumulated a large and valuable library sold in 1790. He was a member of Samuel Johnson's Essex Head Club and preceded John Douglas in discovering fakes of William Lauder.