Newcourt , Richard , d 1716 , historian and notary

Richard Newcourt was the son of a topographical draughtsman. He attended Oxford University before becoming a notary public. He was also a clerk at the Court of Arches, later becoming a proctor. In 1669 he became principal registrar of the diocese of London, holding the post until 1696.

Using the records in his custody as well as researching elsewhere, Newcourt compiled a history of the diocese of London. This two volume work was published in 1708 and 1710, entitled Repertorium ecclesiasticum parochiale Londinense: an ecclesiastical parochial history of the diocese of London. The work recounts the history of St Paul's Cathedral, the bishops and deans of London, and the parishes of the diocese. He also wrote an unpublished history of the bishops of England to 1710.

Newcourt died in 1716; his date and place of birth are unknown although his family came from Somerset.

Information from Newcourt, Richard, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/19999, accessed 15 June 2011].