John Gadbury (1627–1704) was an English astrologer, and a prolific writer ofalmanacs and on other related topics. Initially a follower or disciple, and a defender in the 1650s, ofWilliam Lilly, he eventually turned against Lilly and denounced him in 1675 as fraudulent.[1]
His 1652 workPhilastrogus Knavery Epitomized was a reply toLillies Ape Whipt by the pseudonymous Philastrogus,[2] defending Lilly,Nicholas Culpeper and others.
His father William was an estate worker for Sir John Curson of Waterperry House near Wheatley, Oxfordshire, who eloped with Frances, a daughter of the house, a year before John's birth. However, John Gadbury persuaded his grandfather Sir John to put him through Oxford, before his astrological training.
He became aHigh Tory and Catholic convert. He had a number of brushes with the authorities: imprisonment (wrongful) at the time of thePopish Plot and suspicion later of plotting againstWilliam III of England; also trouble for omittingGuy Fawkes Day from his almanacs. He feuded with fellow astrologerJohn Partridge, a supporter of theWhigs.[3]
