Biography:

Born at Richmond, Yorkshire, and educated at Kendal, Hawkshead, and Sedbergh School, he was admitted in May 1722 at Catherine Hall, Cambridge^.  Blackburne was a follower of John Locke's politics and theology, and was refused a fellowship. He was ordained deacon 17 March 1728, and became ‘conduct’ of his college.  He became archdeacon of Cleveland and an activist against the requirement of subscription to the Thirty Nine Articles.  The Archdeacon of Cleveland is a senior ecclesiastical officer of an archdeaconry, or subdivision, of the Church of England Diocese of York in the Province of York.