Ralph Acton

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Ralph Acton, was a supposed English theologian and philosopher, apparently primarily known for his writings, some of which still exist. More recent enquiries suggest that Acton may have been a scribe or, indeed, non-existent. According to the 1885 Dictionary of National Biography, Ralph Acton is assigned by Leland and his followers to the first half of the fourteenth century. Of the details of his life nothing definite is known, for the sketch given by Bale and Pitts is so vague as to suggest that it is chiefly made up of inferences. According to these writers Ralph received his early education in country schools, whence in due time he proceeded to Oxford. After taking his master's degree in philosophy and theology at this university he was appointed head of a famous church ('rector cujusdam insignis ecclesiæ'), and henceforward devoted himself in the retirement of his parish to the study of the Scriptures and the care of his flock.