Bourne, Randolph Silliman, 1886-1918, American author, b. Bloomfield, N.J., grad. Columbia Univ., 1912. His critical examination of the American way of life established him as a spokesman for his generation. The books he wrote on progressive education, The Gary Schools (1916) and Education and Living (1917), reflect the influence of John Dewey. Bourne opposed U.S. entry into World War I and wrote pacifist and nonintervention articles, which were collected posthumously in Untimely Papers (1919).

Bourne, Hugh, 1772-1852, English founder of the sect of Primitive Methodists. In 1799 he joined the Wesleyan Methodists and became a preacher. In 1807 he began holding outdoor revival services, despite prohibitions by the Wesleyan Methodist Conference. His adherents gathered around him to establish a new community, whose first class was organized in 1810. In 1812 the name Primitive Methodists was adopted. Within the lifetime of the founder the sect gained over 110,000 members. From 1844 to 1846, Bourne visited the United States, where he gathered large congregations.

Bourne, Francis, 1861-1935, English prelate, cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He entered the priesthood in 1884 and later was made bishop coadjutor of Southwark (1896), bishop of Southwark (1897), archbishop of Westminster (1903), and cardinal (1911). He accomplished a great deal by his moderate policies in avoiding difficulties between the Catholic Church and the state in England.

Bourne, town (1990 pop. 16,064), Barnstable co., SE Mass., crossed by Cape Cod Canal; settled 1627, inc. 1884. Bourne Bridge (1935), across the canal, made the town an entry point to Cape Cod and a resort and commercial center. The nearby Massachusetts Military Reservation and Otis Air Force Base have been important to the economy.