Dean of Gloucester and ‘Defender of the Faith’

Abstract

The year 1758, when Tucker became Dean of Gloucester, marks something of a watershed in his life as an author. The first phase was over, and a decade and a half was to elapse before he took up his pen actively again. This hiatus was probably mainly owing to the demands of his new post. Since his predecessor had not been very diligent, there was much that required his immediate attention, particularly the fabric of the Cathedral. With plenty to do at Gloucester and frequent visits to Bristol, where he maintained a second home, it is not surprising that his output declined to a trickle over the next few years.