Laurence
received his BA at Cambridge University in 1688. He
became Rector in Northamptonshire in 1703. He
immediately improved the soil of the Rectory garden
and grew the "choicest fruit." He became Rector in the
County of Durham in North England shortly before his
death.
He was a naturalist and very interested in
horticulture, especially the culture of fruits. He
stated working in his garden was "the best and almost
only physick" he loved.
The Clergyman's Recreation, showing the pleasure
and profit of the art of Gardening (1714). This
went through six editions to 1726. The Gentleman's
Recreation (1716) - third edition in 1723. The
Fruit Garden Kalendar (1718).
He was one of sixteen English clergymen who wrote
important gardening books in the 18th Century. These
books indicate the extent to which gardening had
become an important part of the life of clergyman,
"gentlemen," and their wives.
Johnson (1829) states that he was "one of the most
excellent writers upon the art."
