HOBBES (Thomas)

, a famous writer and philopher, was born at Malmsbury in Wiltshire, in 1588, being the son of a clergyman of that place. He completed his studies at Oxford, and was afterwards governor to the eldest son of William Cavendish earl of Devonshire, with whom he travelled through France and Italy, applying himself closely to the study of polite literature. In 1626 his patron the earl of Devonshire died; and 1628 his son also; the same year Mr. Hobbes published his translation of Thucydides in English. He soon after went abroad a second time as governor to the son of Sir Gervase Clifton; but shortly after returned, to resume his concern for the hopes of the Devonshire family, to whom he had so early attached himself; the countess dowager having desired to put the young earl under his care, then about 13 years of age. This charge was very agreeable to Mr. Hobbes's inclinations, and he discharged the trust with great diligence and fidelity. In 1634 he accompanied his young pupil to Paris, where he employed his own vacant hours in the study of natural philosophy, frequently conversing with Father Mersenne, Gassendi, and other eminent philosophers there. From Paris he attended his pupil into Italy, where he became acquainted with the celebrated Galileo, who freely communicated his notions to him; and from hence he returned with his ward into England. But afterwards, f<*>reseeing the civil wars, he went to seek a retreat at Paris; where he was soon made acquainted with Des Cartes and the other learned philosophers there, with whom he afterwards held a correspondence upon several mathematical subjects, as appears from the letters of Mr. Hobbes published in the works of Des Cartes.

In 1642, Mr. Hobbs printed his famous book De Cive, which raised him many adversaries, who charged him with instilling principles of a dangerous tendencyAmong many illustrious persons who, from the troubles in England, retired to France for safety, was Sir Charles Cavendish, brother to the Duke of Newcastle <*> and this gentleman, being well skilled in the mathematics, proved a constant friend and patron to Mr. Hobbes; who, by embarking in 1645 in a controversy| about squaring the circle, was grown so famous by it, that in 1647 he was recommended to instruct Charles prince of Wales, afterwards king Charles the 2d, in mathematical learning. During this he employed his vacant time in composing his Leviathan, which was published in England in 1651. After the publication of this work, he returned to England, and passed the remainder of his long life in a very retired and studious manner, in the house of the Earl of Devonshire, mostly at his seat in Derbyshire, but accompanying the earl always to London, fearing to be left out of his immediate protection, lest he should be seized by officers from the parliament or government, on account of the freedom of his opinions in politics and religion. He received great marks of respect from king Charles the 2d at the restoration in 1660, with a pension of 100l. a year. From that time, till his death, he applied himself to his studies, and in opposing the attacks of his adversaries, who were very numerous: in mathematical subjects disputes rose to a great height between him and Dr. Wallis, on account of his pretended Quadrature of the Circle, Cubature of the Sphere, and Duplication of the Cube, which he obstinately defended without ever acknowledging his error.

His long life was that of a perfectly honest man; a lover of his country, a good friend, charitable and obliging. He accustomed himself much more to thinking, than reading; and was fond of a well-selected, rather than a large library. He had a hatred to the clergy, having been persecuted by them, on account of the freedom of his doctrine, and having a very indifferent opinion of their knowledge and their principles. In his last sickness he was very anxious to know whether his disease was curable; and when intimations were given, that he might have ease, but no remedy, he said, ‘ I shall be glad to find a hole to creep out of the world at.’ He died the 4th of Dec. 1679, at 91 years of age.

His chief publications were,

1. An English translation of Thucydides's History of the Grecian war.

2. De Mirabilibus Pecci, and Memoirs of his own Life, both in Latin verse.

3. Elements of Philosophy.

4. Answer to Sir William Davenant's Epistle, or Preface to Gondibert.

5. Human Nature, or the Fundamental Elements of Policy.

6. Elements of Law.

7. Leviathan; or the Matter, Form, and Power of a Commonwealth.

8. A Compendium of Aristotle's Rhetoric.

9. A Letter on Liberty and Necessity.

10. The Questions, concerning Necessity and Chance, stated.

11. Six Lessons to the Professors of Mathematics, of the Institution of Sir Henry Saville.

12. The marks of Absurd Geometry, &c.

13. Dialogues of Natural Philosophy.

Besides many other pieces on Polity, Theology, Mathematics, and other miscellaneous subjects, to the number of 41.