Leighton Library, Dunblane

Scotland's oldest purpose-built independent library founded in 1687

Leighton Library has 1612 first edition of "A letter to a friende" by Hugh Broughton

Added at 07:13 on 04 August 2025

The Leighton Library has a 1612 first edition of "A letter to a friende" by English scholar and theologian Hugh Broughton who died from consumption (tuberculosis) #OnThisDay 4 August 1612

This was a theological tract which reflected a deep engagement with biblical chronology and prophecy. It had a focus on the biblical figure Mordecai and his age, which Broughton argued was crucial for interpreting the prophecy in Daniel. Broughton used Mordecai’s age to support the idea that exactly 490 years after Gabriel’s prophecy, Christ would be “killed to give life.” This reflected his obsession with precise biblical timelines and his belief in the literal fulfillment of prophecy.

Broughton was known for his disputes with other scholars, and his works often sparked debate and were delivered in public lectures which drew large audiences. His notoriety extended into literary circles, with Ben Jonson mocking him as his ideas were widely known and seen to be ripe for parody

< Leighton Library has 1619 edition of "Exercitia spiritualia" by Ignatius of Loyola