WHISTON (William)

, an English divine, philosopher, and mathematician, of uncommon parts, learning, and extraordinary character, was born the 9th of December 1667, at Norton in the county of Leicester; where his father was rector. He was educated under his father till he was 17 years of age, when he was sent to Tamworth school, and two years after admitted of Clare-hall, Cambridge, where he pursued his studies, and particularly the mathematics, with great diligence. During this time he became afflicted with a great weakness of sight, owing to close study in a whitened room; which was in a good measure relieved by a little relaxation from study, and taking off the strong glare of light by hanging the place opposite his seat with green.

In 1693 he was made master of arts and fellow of the college, and soon after commenced one of the tutors; but his ill state of health soon after obliged him to relinquish this profession. Having entered into orders, in 1694 he became chaplain to Dr. More, bishop of Norwich; and while in this station he published his first work, intitled, A New Theory of the Earth &c; in which he undertook to prove that the Mosaic doctrine of the earth was perfectly agreeable to reason and philosophy: which work, having much ingenuity, though it was written against by Mr. John Keill, brought considerable reputation to the author.

In the year 1698, bishop More gave him the living of Lowestoff in Suffolk, where he immediately went to reside, and devoted himself with great diligence to the discharge of that trust.—In the beginning of this century he was made Sir Isaac Newton's deputy, and afterwards his successor in the Lucasian professorship of mathematics; when he resigned his living at Lowestoff, and went to reside at Cambridge. From this time his publications became very frequent, both in theology and mathematics. Thus, in 1702 he published, A Short View of the Chronology of the Old Testament, and of the Harmony of the four Evangelists.—In 1707, Prælectiones Astronomicæ; beside eight Sermons on the Accomplishment of the Scripture Prophecies, preached at Boyle's lecture; and Newton's Arithmetica Universalis.—In 1708, Tacquet's Euclid, with select Theorems of Archimedes; the former of which had accidentally been his first introduction to the study of the mathematics.—In the same year he drew up an Essay upon the Apostolical Constitutions, which the Vice chancellor refused his licence for printing. The author tells us, he had read over the two first centuries of the church, and found that the Eusebian or Arian doctrine was chiefly the doctrine of those ages, which, though deemed heterodox, he thought it his duty to discover. —In 1709, he published a volume of Sermons and Essays on various subjects.—In 1710, Prælectiones Physico-Mathematicæ, which with the Prælectiones Astronomicæ, were translated and published in English. And it may be said, with no small honour to the memory of Mr. Whiston, that he was one of the first who explained the Newtonian philosophy in a popular way, so as to be intelligible to the generality of readers.— Among other things also, he translated the Apostolical Constitutions into English, which favoured the doctrine of the supremacy of the father and subordination of the son, vulgarly called the Arian heresy: Upon which his friends began to be alarmed for him; and the consequence shewed it was not groundless; for, Oct. 30, 1710, he was deprived of his professorship, and expelled the university of Cambridge, after he had been formally convened and interrogated for some days together.—At the conclusion of this year, he wrote his Historical preface, afterwards prefixed to his Primitive Christianity Revived, containing the reasons for his dissent from the commonly received notions of the Trinity, which work he published the next year, in 4 volumes 8vo, for which the Convocation fell upon him most vehemently.

In 1713, he and Mr. Ditton composed their scheme for finding the longitude, which they published the year following, a method which consisted in measuring distances by means of the velocity of sound; some more particulars of which are related in the life of Mr. Ditton.—In 1719, he published an ironical Letter of Thanks to doctor Robinson, bishop of London, for his late Letter to his clergy against the use of New Forms of Doxology. And, the same year, a Letter to the earl of Nottingham, Concerning the Eternity of the Son of God, and his Holy Spirit.—In 1720, he was proposed by Sir Hans Sloane and Dr. Halley to the Royal Society as a member; but was refused admittance by Sir Isaac Newton the president.

On Mr. Whiston's expulsion from Cambridge, he went to London, where he conferred with Doctors Clarke, Hoadly, and other learned men, who endeavoured to moderate his zeal, which however he would not suffer to be tainted or corrupted, and many were not much satisfied with the authority of these constitutions, but approved his integrity. Mr. Whiston now settled in London with his family; where, without suffering his zeal to be intimidated, he continued to write, and to propagate his Primitive Christianity with as much ardour as if he had been in the most flourishing circumstances; which however were so bad, that, in | 1721, a subscription was made for the support of his family, which amounted to 470l. For though he drew some profits from reading astronomical and philosophical lectures, and also from his publications, which were very numerous, yet these of themselves were very insufficient: nor, when joined with the benevolence and charity of those who loved and esteemed him for his learning, integrity, and piety, did they prevent his being frequently in great distress.—In 1722 he published an Essay towards restoring the true text of the Old Testament.—In 1724, The Literal Accomplishment of Scripture Prophecies.—Also, The Calculation of Solar Eclipses without Parallaxes.—In 1726, Of the Thundering Legion &c.—In 1727, A Collection of Authentic Records belonging to the Old and New Testament.—In 1730, Memoirs of the Life of Dr. Samuel Clarke.—In 1732, A Vindication of the Testimony of Phlegon, or an Account of the Great Darkness and Earthquake at our Saviour's Passion, described by Phlegon.—In 1736, Athanasian Forgeries, &c. And the Primitive Eucharist revived.—In 1737, The Astronomical Year, particularly of the Comet foretold by Sir Isaac Newton.—Also the Genuine Works of Flavius Josephus.—In 1739, Mr. Whiston put in his claim to the mathematical professorship at Cambridge, then vacant by the death of Dr. Saunderson, in a letter to Dr. Ashton, the master of Jesus-college; but no regard was paid to it.—In 1745, he published his Primitive New Testament in English.—In 1748, his Sacred History of the Old and New Testament. Also, Memoirs of his own Life and Writings, which are very curious.

Whiston continued many years a member of the established church; but at length forsook it, on account of the reading of the Athanasian Creed, and went over to the Baptists; which happened while he was at the house of Samuel Barker, Esq. at Lindon in Rutlandshire, who had married his daughter; where he died, after a week's illness, the 22d of August 1752, at upwards of 84 years of age.—We have mentioned the principal of his writings in the foregoing memoir; to which may be added, Chronological Tables, published in 1750.

The character of this conscientious and worthy man has been attempted by two very able personages, who were well acquainted with him, namely, bishop Hare and Mr. Collins, who unite in giving him the highest applauses, for his integrity, piety, &c.—Mr. Whiston left some children behind him; among them, Mr. John Whiston, who was for many years a very considerable bookseller in London.