HICKES, GEORGE, was born at Newsham in Yorkshire in 1642. He finished his studies at Oxford with great applause, and took the degree of A.M. This honour was likewise conferred upon him by Cambridge. For seven years thereafter he fulfilled the duties of lecturer in Lincoln College. His health having been impaired by close study, he accompanied his pupil, Sir George Wheeler, to France, to recruit. Upon his return he graduated in divinity at Oxford in 1675, and was appointed rector of St Ebbe.
Hidage
Hierapolis. This was followed by his becoming chaplain to the Duke of Lauderdale. At the breaking out of the Revolution in 1688 he adhered steadily to the cause of the dethroned James II., and lost all his benefices. Protesting vehemently, by placard affixed to the door of Worcester Church, against his being ejected, he retired to London, where he remained for several years in concealment. After undertaking a difficult mission to the banished king regarding the affairs of the church, Hickee, upon his return, was appointed suffragan Bishop of Thetford. His vehemence in the royal cause would have exposed him to danger had not the Chancellor Somers, in admiration of his great talents, exerted his influence to shield him. He died in the 74th year of his age, A.D. 1715.
Hickee was a voluminous writer. His theological and controversial works are sinking into oblivion. His fame rests upon his philological writings. His Institutiones Grammaticæ Anglo-Saxonice et Masso-Gothice, &c., afford the first methodic arrangement of the grammatical rules of the Anglo-Saxon language. His Antiquæ Litteraturæ Septentrionalis, libri duo, &c., 2 vols. folio, Oxon. 1705, long remained as the most complete work on ancient northern literature and languages.