Davenant, William

, younger brother to the former, and fourth son to sir Wiiliam Davenant, was educated at Magdalen hall, in the university of Oxford, where he took the degree of bachelor of arts, July 19, 1677. He translated into English from the French a book entitled, “Animadversions upon the famous Greek and Latin Historians,” written by the celebrated Mr. la Mothe le Vayer, tutor to the French king Louis XIII., which was very well received. He took the degree of master of arts July 5, 1680, and about the same time entering into holy orders, was presented to a living in the county of Surrey, by his patron Robert Wymondsole, of Putney, esq. with whom he travelled into France; and in the summer of 1681, as he was diverting himself by swimming in a river near Paris, he was unfortunately drowned in the sight of his pupil, to the great regret of all who knew him, having added to great natural parts, by an assiduous application to study, as much sound learning and true knowledge as could be expected in a person so young. ²