KIRKPATRICK, ALEXANDER FRANCIS°

KIRKPATRICK, ALEXANDER FRANCIS° (1849–1940), English Bible critic who as general editor of the Bible and Apocrypha sections of the semi-popular Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges championed a series of commentaries which attempted to show how textual, linguistic, historical,   and higher criticism compel readers to reverse many of their traditional ideas in regard to the Bible. Kirkpatrick taught at Cambridge and in 1882 at the early age of 33 was appointed Regius Professor of Hebrew and canon of Ely. He later served as master of Selwyn College, Cambridge (1898–1927), and dean of Ely (1906–36). Kirkpatrick was a popular lecturer and administrator who helped educate a conservative English clergy and laity to the merits of biblical criticism, which seeks to confirm, correct, and supplement the history and narrative of Holy Scriptures. The most important of his books are: The Divine Library of the Old Testament… (1891), The Doctrine of the Prophets (1892, 19582), and commentaries on Psalms (1902), and Samuel (1930). These last two were published in the Cambridge Bible series. -ADD. BIBLIOGRAPHY: R. Clements, in: DBI, 2:28–29. (Zev Garber)