CAREW, Richard, author of the "Survey of Cornwall," was the eldest son of Thomas Carew of East Anthony, and was born in 1555. When very young, he became a gentleman commoner of Christ-church college, Oxford; and at 14 years of age had the honour of disputing, extempore, with the afterwards famous Sir Philip Sydney, in the presence of the earls of Leicester, Warwick, and other nobility. After spending three years at the university, he removed to the Middle Temple, where he resided the same length of time, and then travelled into foreign parts. Not long after his return to England, he married, in 1577, Juliana Arundel, of Trerice. In 1581, Mr Carew was made justice of the peace, and in 1586 was appointed high sheriff of the county of Cornwall; about which time he was likewise queen's deputy for the militia.
In 1589, he was elected a member of the college of Antiquaries, a distinction to which he was entitled by his literary abilities and pursuits. What particularly engaged his attention was his native county, his "Survey" of which was published, in 4to, at London, in 1602. It hath been twice reprinted, first in 1723, and next in 1769. Of this work Camden hath spoken in high terms, and acknowledges his obligations to the author. In the present improved state of topographical knowledge, and since Dr Borlase's excellent publications relative to the county of Cornwall, the value of Carew's "Survey" must have been greatly diminished. Mr Gough remarks, that the history and monuments of this county were faintly touched by Carew; but it is added, that he was a person extremely capable of describing them, if the infancy of those studies at that time had afforded light and materials. Another work of our author was a translation from the Italian, entitled, "The examination of Men's Wits. In which, by discovering the variety of natures, is shewed for what profession each one is apt, and how far he shall profit therein." This was published at London in 1594, and afterwards in 1604; and though Richard Carew's name is prefixed to it, hath been principally ascribed by some persons to his father. According to Wood, Carew wrote also, "The true and ready Way to learn the Latin Tongue," in answer to a query, whether the ordinary method of teaching the Latin by the rules of grammar be the best mode of instructing youths in that language? This tract is involved in Mr Hartlib's book upon the same subject, and with the same title. It is certain that Carew was a gentleman of considerable abilities and literature, and that he was held in great estimation by some of the most eminent scholars of his time. He was particularly intimate with Sir Henry Spelman, who extols him for his ingenuity, virtue, and learning.