James Ussher
From RationalWiki
James Ussher (4 January 1581–21 March 1656) was the Anglican Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625–1656.
He is perhaps most famous for calculating what was, at the time, believed to be the exact first day of creation, which was based on a meticulous examination of the Bible and of older chronologies and calendars. The date he arrived at - the night preceding October 23 4004 BCE - is still used by young earth creationists today.
[edit] Ussher's history of the World
The chronology Ussher devised gives the following biblically identified dates for important events.[1]
- Sunday October 23, 4004 BC - First day of creation.
- Monday November 23, 4004 BC - Adam and Eve driven from paradise.
- 2348 BC - The Great Flood.
- 1921 BC - God's call to Abraham.
- 1491 BC - The Exodus from Egypt.
- 1012 BC - The founding of the Temple in Jerusalem.
- 586 BC - The destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon and the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity.
- 4 BC - The birth of Jesus.
[edit] Further reading
- Barr, James, 'Why the World Was Created in 4004 B.C.: Archbishop Ussher and Biblical Chronology', Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, vol. 67, pp. 575-608
- Gould, Stephen Jay, 'Fall in the House of Ussher', Natural History, vol. 100 (November 1991), pp. 12-21
