, the celebrated typographical historian, was descended from an ancient family in Norfolk, where they are
, the celebrated typographical historian, was descended from an ancient family in Norfolk, where they are to be traced back as far as the middle of the sixteenth century. He was born at Yarmouth, Jan. 23, 1688-9, and removed by his father, who appears to have been the master of a merchant ship trading from Yarmouth to London, and placed at a little grammar-school at Wapping. At the age of fifteen, it is said, he was put apprentice to a plane-maker in King or Queen-street near Guildhall, London; and it is added that after serving out his time with reputation, he took up his freedom, and became a liveryman of the Joiners’ Company, but on inquiry both at Joiners’ hall and at the Chamberlain’s office, it does not appear that he ever took up his freedom: he settled, however, near the Hermitage, in Wapping, in the business of a ship-chandler, or ironmonger, and continued there till his death.
ous for his casuistical and controversial writings, but much more so abroad than in his own country, was descended from an ancient family, which is said to remain in
, a divine in the reigns of king James
and Charles I. and famous for his casuistical and controversial writings, but much more so abroad than in his own
country, was descended from an ancient family, which is
said to remain in Norfolk and Somersetshire, and was born
in 1576. He was educated at Christ-church college, in
Cambridge, under the celebrated champion of Calvinism,
Mr. William Perkins, and this gave a rigid strictness to
his opinions, which was not agreeable to some of his associates in the university. One instance of this is given by
Fuller, which we shall transcribe as recording a feature in
the manners of the times. He says, that “about the year
1610-11, this Mr. Ames, preaching at St. Mary’s, took
occasion to inveigh against the liberty taken at that time;
especially in those colleges which had lords of misrule, a
Pagan relique; which, he said, as Polydore Vergil has
observed, remains only in England. Hence he proceeded
to condemn all playing at cards and dice anirming that
the latter, in all ages, was accounted the device of the
devil and that as God invented the one-and-twenty letters
whereof he made the bible, the devil, saith an author,
found out the one-and-twenty spots on the die that canon
law forbad the use of the same saying Inventio Diaboli
nulla consuetudine. potest validari. His sermon,
” continues
our author, “gave much offence to many of his auditors
the rather because in him there was a concurrence of much
nonconformity insomuch that, to prevent an expulsion
from Dr. Val. Gary, the master, he fairly forsook the col
lege, which proved unto him neither loss nor disgrace
being, not long after, by the States of Friesland, chosen
Professor of their university.
” There seems, however,
some mistake in this, and Dr. Maclaine has increased it by
asserting in his notes on Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical history,
that Ames fled to Franeker to avoid the persecution of
archbishop Bancroft. This prelate certainly pressed conformity on the Puritans as much as he could, but a
man who only preached against cards and dice could
have nothing to fear from him. The fact was, that
the archbishop died some months before this sermon at
St. Mary’s.
, an eminent English antiquary, was descended from an ancient family of the same name, resident
, an eminent English antiquary, was descended from an ancient family of the same name, resident at, and lords of the manor of Fauld in Staffordshire. His father, Daniel Astle, who was keeper of Needwood forest, died in 1774, and was buried in Yoxal church, where is a neat mural monument erected to his memory. His eldest son, the subject of this article, imbibed an early taste for the study of antiquities, particularly that abstruse and laborious part of it, the decyphering of ancient records, in which the profession of an attorney, to which he was brought up at Yoxal, gave him an opportunity of excelling, far beyond any of his contemporaries. His father was about to fix him in a good country situation, to practise in the profession he had so aptly learnt; but his genius and enthusiasm, fortunately for himself and the public at large, frustrated that design, and induced him to come to London, where alone his taste could be indulged and his talents rewarded. About 1763, he obtained the patronage of Mr. Grenville, then first lord of the treasury and chancellor of the exchequer, who employed him as well in his public as private affairs, and joined him in a commission with the late sir Joseph Ayloffe, bart. and Dr. Ducarel, for superintending the regulation of the public records at Westminster. On the death of his colleague, Mr. Topham was substituted, and both were removed by Mr. Pitt during his administration". Previously, however, to this, if we mistake not, he had enjoyed the patronage of lord Townshend, and soon after he was introduced to the rev. Philip Morant, author of the History of Essex, a gentleman of good property in that country, whose daughter and heiress he soon after married, and by that means, at her father’s death, possessed his estate.
, an eminent mathematician and divine of the seventeenth century, was descended from an ancient family of that name in Suffolk. His
, an eminent mathematician and divine of the seventeenth century, was descended from an
ancient family of that name in Suffolk. His father was
Mr. Thomas Barrow, a reputable citizen of London and
linen-draper to king Charles I.; and his mother, Anne,
daughter of William Buggin of North-Cray in Kent, esq.
whose tender care he did not long experience, she dying
when he was about four years old. He was born at London in October 1630, and was placed first in the Charterhouse school for two or three years, where his behaviour
afforded but little hopes of success in the profession of a
scholar, for which his father designed him, being quarrelsome, riotous, and negligent. But when removed to Felstead school in Essex, his disposition took a more happy
turn, and he quickly made so great a progress in learning,
that his master appointed him a kind of tutor to the lord
viscount Fairfax of Emely in Ireland, who was then his
scholar. During his stay at Felstead, he was admitted,
December the 15.th 1643, being fourteen years of age,
a pensioner of Peter-house in Cambridge, under his uncle
Mr. Isaac Barrow, then fellow of that college. But
when he was qualified for the university, he was entered a
pensioner in Trinity-college, the 5th of February 1645;
his uncle having been ejected, together with Seth Ward,
Peter Gunning, and John Barwick, who had written
against the covenant. His father having suffered greatly
in his estate by his attachment to the royal cause, our
young student was obliged at first for his chief support to
the generosity of the learned Dr. Hammond, to whose memory he paid his thanks, in an excellent epitaph on the
doctor. In 1647, he was chosen a scholar of the house;
and, though he always continued a staunch royalist, and
never would take the covenant, yet, by his great merit
and prudent behaviour he preserved the esteem and goodwill of his superiors. Of this we have an instance in Dr.
Hill, master of the college, who had been put in by the
parliament in the room of Dr. Comber, ejected for adhering to the king. One day, laying his hand upon our
young sflident’s head, he said, “Thou art a good lad,
‘tis pity thou art a cavalier;’ 7 and when, in an oration on
the Gunpowder-treason, Mr. Barrow had so celebrated the
former times, as to reflect much on the present, some fellows were provoked to move for his expulsion but the
master silenced them with this,
” Barrow is a better man
than any of us.“Afterwards when the engagement was imposed, he subscribed it; but, upon second thoughts, repenting of what he had done, he applied himself to the
commissioners, declared his dissatisfaction, and prevailed to
have his name razed out of the list. He applied himself
with great diligence to the study of all parts of literature,
especially natural philosophy; and though he was yet but a
young scholar, his judgment was too great to rest satisfied
with the shallow and superficial philosophy, then taught
and received in the schools. He applied himself therefore
to the reading and considering the writings of the lord Verulam, M. Des Cartes, Galileo, &c. who seemed to offer
something more solid and substantial. In 1648, Mr. Barrow took the degree of bachelor of arts. The year following, he was elected fellow of his college, merely out of
regard to his merit; for he had no friend to recommend
him, as being of the opposite party. And now, finding
the times not favourable to men of his opinions in matters
of church and state, he turned his thoughts to the profession of physic, and made a considerable progress in anatomy, botany, and chemistry: but afterwards, upon deliberation with himself, and with the advice of his uncle,
he applied himself to the study of divinity, to which he
was further obliged by his oath on his admission to his
fellowship. By reading Scaliger on Eusebius, he perceived the dependance of chronology on astronomy; which
put him upon reading Ptolemy’s Almagest: and finding
that book and all astronomy to depend on geometry, he
made himself master of Euclid’s Elements, and from
thence proceeded to the other ancient mathematicians.
He made a short essay towards acquiring the Arabic language, but soon deserted it. With these severer
speculations, the largeness of his mind had room for the amusements of poetry, to which he was always strongly addicted.
This is sufficiently evident from the many performances he
has left us in that art. Mr. Hill, his biographer, tells us,
he was particularly pleased with that branch of it, which
consists in description, but greatly disliked the hyperboles
of some modern poets. As for our plays, he was an enemy
to them, as a principal cause of the debauchery of the
times; the other causes he thought to be, the French education, and the ill example of great persons. For satires,
he wrote none his wit, as Mr. Hill expresses it, was
” pure and peaceable."
, earl of Arlington, was descended from an ancient family, and was second son of sir
, earl of Arlington, was descended from an ancient family, and was second son of sir John Bennet of Arlington in Middlesex, by Dorothy, daughter of sir John Crofts of Saxham in the county of Norfolk. He was born in 1618, and educated at Christ-church in the university of Oxford, where he took the degree of master of arts, and distinguished himself by his poetical compositions, several of which were occasionally inserted in books of verses published under the name of the university, and in others in that time. In the beginning the civil war, when king Charles I. fixed his chief residence at Oxford, he was appointed under-secretary to lord George Digby, secretary of state; and afterwards entered himself as a volunteer in the royal cause, and served very bravely, especially at the sharp encounter near Andover in Hampshire, where he received several wounds. When the wars were ended, he did not leave the king, when success did, but attended his interest in foreign parts; and, in order to qualify himself the better for his majesty’s service, travelled into Italy, and made his observations on the several countries and states of Europe. He was afterwards made secretary to James, duke of York, and received the honour of knighthood from king Charles II. at Bruges in March, 1658, and was soon after sent envoy to the court of Spain; in which negociation he acted with so much prudence and success, that his majesty, upon his return to England, soon called him home, and made him keeper of his privy purse. On the 2d of October, 1662, he was appointed principal secretary of state in the room of sir Edward Nicholas; but by this preferment some advances were evidently made towards the interest of Rome; since the new secretary was one who secretly espoused the cause of popery, and had much influenced the king towards embracing-that religion, the year before his restoration, at Fontarabia on Which' account he had been so much threatened by lord Culpepper, that it was believed he durst not return into England, till after the death of that nobleman.
, an English clergyman of ingenuity and learning, was descended from an ancient family in Staffordshire, and born
, an English clergyman of ingenuity
and learning, was descended from an ancient family in
Staffordshire, and born at Derby in 1688. His grandfather had been a major on the parliament side in the civil
wars; his father had diminished a considerable paternal
estate by gaming; but his mother, a woman of great
prudence, contrived to give a good education to six children.
Thomas the youngest acquired his grammatical learning at
Derby; had his education among the dissenters; and was
appointed to preach to a presbyterian congregation at
Spalding in Lincolnshire. Not liking this mode of life, he
removed to London at the end of queen Anne’s reign, with
a view of preparing himself for physic; but changing his
measures again, he took orders in the church of England,
soon after the accession of George I. and was presented to
the rectory of Winburg in Norfolk. About 1725 he was
presented to the benefice of Reymerston; in 1734, to the
rectory of Spixworth; and, in 1747, to the rectory of
Edgefield; all in Norfolk. About 1750, his mental powers
began to decline; and, at Christmas 1752, he ceased to
appear in the pulpit. He died at Norwich, whither he had
removed, in 1753, with his family, Sept. 23, 1754, leaving a wife, whom he mafried in 1739; and also a son, Edmund Bott, esq. of Christ church in Hampshire, a fellow
of the Antiquarian society, who published, in 1771, A collection of cases relating to the Poor laws. Dr. Kippis,
who was his nephew by marriage, has given a prolix article
on him, and a minute character, in which, however, there
appears to have been little of the amiable, and in his religious opinions he was capricious and unsteady. His works
were, 1. “The peace and happiness of this world, the
immediate design of Christianity, on Luke ix. 56,
” a pamphlet in 8vo, The principal and peculiar notion of a
late book, entitled, The religion of nature delineated, considered, and refuted,
” Remarks upon Butler’s 6th chapter of the Analogy of Religion, &c. concerning Necessity,
”
, a divine of great eminence for his extensive knowledge in Hebrew and rabbinical learning, was descended from an ancient family, and born in 1549, at Oldbury,
, a divine of great eminence for his extensive knowledge in Hebrew and rabbinical learning, was descended from an ancient family, and born in 1549, at Oldbury, in the county of Salop. Dr. Lightfoot says, that it is uncertain in what school he was instructed in grammar, but, according to the writers of the life of Bernard Gilpin, he was brought up in the school founded by that excellent man at Houghton, and by him sent to Cambridge. Gilpin is said to have become acquainted with him by accident, when he was a poor boy travelling on the Oxford road, and finding him a good scholar, took the charge of his farther education. The biographer of Gilpin adds, apparently upon slender foundation, that Broughton acted with ingratitude to Gilpin, when the latter was old and infirm, and persuaded the bishop of Durham to give him a living intended for Gilpin.
, a Scottish historian, and Latin poet, of great eminence, and uncommon abilities and learning, was descended from an ancient family, and was born at Killairn,
, a Scottish historian, and Latin poet, of great eminence, and uncommon abilities and
learning, was descended from an ancient family, and was
born at Killairn, in the shire of Lenox, in Scotland, in the
month of February 1506. His father died of the stone in
the prime of life, whilst his grandfather was yet living; by
whose extravagance the family, which before was but in
low circumstances, was now nearly reduced to the extremity of want. He had, however, the happiness of a very
prudent mother, Agnes, the daughter of James Heriot of
Trabrown, who, though she, was left a widow with five sons
and three daughters, brought them all up in a decent manner, by judicious management. She had a brother, Mr.
James Heriot, who, observing the marks of genius which
young George Buchanan discovered when at school, sent
him to Paris in 1520 for his education. There he closely
applied himself to his studies, and particularly cultivated
his poetical talents but before he had been there quite
two years, the death of his uncle, and his own ill state of
health, and want of money, obliged him to return home.
Having arrived in his native country, he spent almost a
year in endeavouring to re-escablish his health; and in
1523, in order to acquire some knowledge of military affairs, he made a campaign with the French auxiliaries,
who came over into Scotland with John duke of Albany.
But in this new course of life he encountered so many
hardships, that he was confined to his bed by sickness all
the ensuing winter. He had probably much more propensity to his books, than to the sword; for early in the following spring he went to St. Andrews, and attended the
lectures on logic, or rather, as he says, on sophistry, which
were read in that university by John Major, or Mair, a
professor in St. Saviour’s college, and assessor to the dean,
of Arts, whom he soon after accompanied to Paris. After
struggling for about two years with indigence and ill fortune, he was admitted, in 1526, being then not more than
twenty years of age, in the college of St. Barbe, where he
took the degree of B. A. in 1527, and M. A. in 1528, and
in 1529 was chosen procurator nationis, and began then to
teach grammar, which he continued for about three years.
But Gilbert Kennedy, earl of Cassils, a young Scottish
nobleman, being then in France, and happening to fall
into the company of Buchanan, was so delighted with his
wit, and the agreeableness of his manners, that he prevailed upon him to continue with him five years. According to Mackenzie, he acted as a kind of tutor to this young
nobleman; and, during his stay with him, translated Linacre’s Rudiments of grammar out of English into Latin;
which was printed at Paris, by Robert Stephens, in 1533,
and dedicated to the earl of Cassils. He returned to Scotland with that nobleman, whose death happened about two
years after; and Buchanan had then an inclination to return to France: but James V. king of Scotland prevented
him, by appointing him preceptor to his natural son,
James, afterwards the abbot of Kelso, who died in 1548,
and not, as some say, the earl of Murray, regent of that
kingdom. About this time, he wrote a satirical poem
against the Franciscan friars, entitled, “Somnium;
”
which irritated them to exclaim against him as a heretic.
Their clamours, however, only increased the dislike which
he hud conceived against them on account of their disorderly and licentious lives; and inclined him the more
towards Lutheranism, to which he seems to have had before
no inconsiderable propensity. About the year 1538, the
king having discovered a conspiracy against himself, in
which he suspected that some of the Franciscans were concerned, commanded Buchanan to write a poem against
that order. But he had probably already experienced the
inconveniency of exasperating so formidable a body; for
he only wrote a few verses which were susceptible of a
double interpretation, and he pleased neither party. The
king was dissatisfied, that the satire was not more poignant; and the friars considered it as a heinous offence, to
mention them in any way that was not honourable. But
the king gave Buchanan a second command, to write
against them with more seventy; which he accordingly
did in the poem, entitled, “Franciscanus;
” by which he
pleased the king, and rendered the friars his irreconcileable enemies. He soon found, that the animosity of these
ecclesiastics was of a more durable nature than royal favour: for the king had the meanness to suffer him to feel
the weight of their resentment, though it had been chiefly
excited by obedience to his commands. It was not the
Franciscans only, but the clergy in general, who were incensed against Buchanan: they appear to have made a
common cause of it, and they left no stone unturned till
they had prevailed with the king that he should be tried
for heresy. He was accordingly imprisoned at the beginning of 1539, but found means to make his escape, as he
says himself, out of his chamber-window, while his guards
were asleep. He fled into England, where he found king
Henry the Eighth persecuting both protestants and papists.
Not thinking that kingdom, therefore, a place of safety,
he again went over into France, to which he was the more
inclined because he had there some literary friends, and
was pleased with the politeness of French manners. But
when he came to Paris, he had the mortification to find
there cardinal Beaton, who was his great enemy, and who
appeared there as ambassador from Scotland. Expecting,
therefore, to receive some ill offices from him, if he continued at Paris, he withdrew himself privately to Bourdeaux, at the invitation of Andrew Govea, a learned Portuguese, who was principal of a new college in that city.
Buchanan taught in the public schools there three years; in
which time he composed two tragedies, the one entitled,
“Baptistes, sive Calurania,
” and the other “Jephthes,
Votum;
” and also translated the Medea and Alcestig
of Euripides. These were all afterwards published;-but
they were originally written in compliance with the rules
of the school, which every year required some new dramatic exhibition; and his view in choosing these subjects
was, to draw off the youth of France as much as possible
from the allegories, which were then greatly in vogue, to
a just imitation of the ancients; in which he succeeded beyond his hopes. During his residence at Bourdeaux, the
emperor Charles V. passed through that city; upon which
Buchanan presented his imperial majesty with an elegant
Latin poem, in which the emperor was highly complimented, and at which he expressed great satisfaction. But
the animosity of cardinal Beaton still pursued our poet:
for that haughty prelate wrote letters to the archbishop of
Bourdeaux, in which he informed him, that Buchanan had
fled his country for heresy; that he had lampooned the
church in most virulent satires; and that if he would put
him to the trial, he would find him a most pestilentious
heretic. Fortunately for Buchanan, these letters fell into
the hands of some of his friends, who found means to prevent their effects: and the state of public affairs in Scotland, in consequence of the death of king James V. gave
the cardinal so much employment, as to prevent any farther prosecution of his rancour against Buchanan.
, a learned English physician and botanist, was descended from an ancient family, and born in the isle of Ely,
, a learned English physician
and botanist, was descended from an ancient family, and
born in the isle of Ely, about the beginning of Henry the
Eighth’s reign. He was bred up at Cambridge, as some
say, at Oxford according to others; but probably both
those nurseries of learning had a share in his education.
We know, however, but little of his personal history,
though he was famous in his profession, and a member of
the college of physicians in London, except what we are
able to collect from his works. Tanner says, that he was
a divine, as well as a physician; that he wrote a book
against transubstantiation; and that in June 1550 he was
inducted into the rectory of Blaxhall, in Suffolk, which
he resigned in November 1554. From his works we learn
that he had been a traveller over several parts of Germany,
Scotland, and especially England; and he seems to have
made it his business to acquaint himself with the natural
history of each place, and with the products of its soil.
It appears, however, that he was more permanently settled
at Durham, where he, practised physic with great reputation; and, among others of the most eminent inhabitants,
was in great favour with sir Thomas Hilton, knight, baron
of Hilton, to whom he dedicated a book in the last year
of queen Mary’s reign. In 1560, he went to London,
where, to his infinite surprise, he found himself accused
by Mr. William Hilton of Biddick, of having murdered his
brother, the baron aforesaid; who really died among his
own friends of a malignant fever. The innocent doctor
was easily cleared, yet his enemy hired some ruffians to
assassinate him, and when disappointed in this, arrested
Dr. Bulleyn in an action, and confined him in prison a
long time; where he wrote some of his medical treatises.
He was a very learned, experienced, and able physician.
He was very intimate with the works of the ancient physicians and naturalists, both Greek, Roman, and Arabian.
He was also a man of probity and piety, and though he
Jived in the times of popery, does not appear to have been
tainted with its principles. He died Jan. 7, 1576, and
was buried in the same grave with his brother Richard
Bulleyn, a divine, who died thirteen years before, in the
church of St. Giles, Cripplegate. There is an inscription
on their tomb, with some Latin verses, in which they are
celebrated as men famous for their learning and piety. Of
Dr. Bulleyn particularly it is said, that he was always as
ready to accommodate the poor as the rich, with medicines for the relief of their distempers. There is a profile
of Bulleyn, with a long beard, before his “Government
of Health,
” and a whole-length of him in wood, prefixed
to his “Bulwarke of defence.
” He was an ancestor of the
late Dr. Stukeley, who, in 1722, was at the expence of
having a small head of him engraved.
was descended from an ancient family, and born at Odington in G
was descended from an
ancient family, and born at Odington in Gloucestershire,
1616. He was educated at Gloucester; became a commoner of St. Edmund-hall in Oxford in 1634; took both
his degrees in arts; and was afterwards appointed rhetoric
reader. During the civil war in England, he made the
tour of Europe. In 1658 he married the only daughter
of Richard Clifford, esq. by whom he had nine children.
In 1668 he was chosen F. R. S. and in 1669 attended
Charles earl of Carlisle, sent to Stockholm with the order
of the garter to the king of Sweden, as his secretary. In
1670 the degree of LL. D. was conferred on him at Cambridge, and two years after he was incorporated in the
same at Oxford. He was appointed to be tutor to Henry
duke of Grafton, one of the natural sons of Charles II.
about 1679; and was afterwards appointed to instruct
prince George of Denmark in the English tongue. He
died at Chelsea in 1703, and was buried in a vault in the
church-yard of that parish; where a monument was soon
after erected to his memory, by Walter Harris, M. D. with
a Latin inscription, which informs us, among other things,
that Dr. Chamberlayne was so desirous of doing service to
all, and even to posterity, that he ordered some of the
books he had written to be covered with wax, and buried
with him; which have been since destroyed by the damp.
The six books vanity or dotage thus consigned to the grave,
are, 1. “The present war paralleled; or a brief relation of
the five years’ civil wars of Henry III. king of England,
with the event and issue of that unnatural war, and by what
course the kingdom was then settled again; extracted out
of the most authentic historians and records,
” 1647. It
was reprinted in 1660, under this title, “The late war
paralleled, or a brief relation,
” &c. 2. “England’s wants;
or several proposals probably beneficial for England, offered to the consideration of both houses of parliament,
”
The Converted Presbyterian; or the church
of England justified in some practices,
” &c. Anglix Notitia or the Present State of England with
divers reflections upon the ancient state thereof,
” An academy or college, wherein young
ladies or gentlewomen may, at a very moderate expence,
be educated in the true protestant religion, and in all virtuous qualities that may adorn that sex, &c.
” A Dialogue between an Englishman and a Dutchman,
concerning the last Dutch war,‘ ’ 1672. He translated out
of Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, into English, 1.
” The
rise and fall of count Olivarez the favourite of Spain.“2.
” The unparalleled imposture of Mich, de Molina, executed at Madrid,“1641. 3.
” The right and title of the
present king of Portugal, don John the IVth." These
three translations were printed at London, 1653.
, lord chief-justice of England, and one of the most eminent lawyers this kingdom has produced, was descended from an ancient family in Norfolk, and born at Mileham,
, lord chief-justice of England, and one of the most eminent lawyers this kingdom has produced, was descended from an ancient family in Norfolk, and born at Mileham, in that county, 1549. His father was Robert Coke, esq. of Mileham; his mother, Winifred, daughter and coheiress of William Knightley, of Margrave Knightley, in Norfolk. At ten years of age he was sent to a free -school at Norwich; and from thence removed to Trinity-college, in Cambridge. He remained in the university about four years, and went from thence to Clifford Vinn, in London and the year after was entered a student of the Inner Temple. We are told that the first proof he gave of the quickness of his penetration, and the solidity of his judgment, was his stating the cook’s case of the Temple, which it seems had puzzled the whole house, so clearly and exactly, that it was taken notice of and admired by the bench. It is not at all improbable that this might promote his being called early to the bar, at the end of six years, which in those strict times was held very extraordinary. He himself has informed us that the first cause he moved in the King? s-bench, was in Trinity-term, 1578, when he was counsel for Mr. Edward Denny, vicar of Northingham, in Norfolk, in an action of scandalum magnatum, brought against him by Henry lord Cromwell. About this time he was appointed reader of Lyon’s-inn, when his learned lectures were much attended, for three years. His reputation increased so fast, and with it his practice, that when he had been at the bar but a few years, he thought himself in a condition to pretend to a lady of one of the best families, and at the same time of the best fortune in Norfolk, Bridget, daughter and coheiress of John Preston, esq. whom he soon married, and with whom he had in all about 30,000l.
, earl Cowper, lord high chancellor of Great Britain, was descended from an ancient family, and son to sir William Cowper,
, earl Cowper, lord high chancellor of Great Britain, was descended from an ancient family, and son to sir William Cowper, baronet, and member of parliament for the town of Hertford in the reigns of Charles II. and William III. He is supposed to have been born in the castle of Hertford, of which his family had been a considerable time in possession; but of the place or time of his birth, or where he was educated, we have not been able to obtain any certain information. It appears, however, that he made so great a proficiency in the study of the law, that, soon after he was called to the bar, he was chosen recorder of Colchester, and in the reign of king William he was appointed one of his majesty’s council. In 1695 he was chosen one of the representatives in parliament for the town of Hertford, and on the day he took his seat had occasion to speak three times, with great applause. The following year he appeared as counsel for the crown on the trials of sir William Perkins, and others, who were convicted of high treason, for being concerned in the plot to assassinate king William. He was also counsel for the crown on the trial of captain Thomas Vaughan, for high treason on the high seas; and he likewise supported in parliament the bill of attainder against sir John Fenwick. In 1704, in a speech in the house of commons, in the famous case of Ashby and White, he maintained that an action did lie at common law, for an elector who had been denied his vote for members of parliament. His reputation continuing greatly to increase, on the accession of queen Anne he was again appointed one of the counsel to the crown; and on October 11, 1705, he was constituted lord keeper of the great seal of England. A few days after, queen Anne addressed both houses of parliament in a speech, which was well received, and which was said to be written by the new lord keeper.
d born in 1602, at Coxden in Dorsetshire, the seat of Richard Syxnonds, esq. his mother’s father. He was descended from an ancient family in the Low Countries, from
D‘Ewes (Sir Symonds), an English historian and antiquary, was the son of Paul D’Eues, esq. and born in
1602, at Coxden in Dorsetshire, the seat of Richard Syxnonds, esq. his mother’s father. He was descended from
an ancient family in the Low Countries, from whence his
ancestors removed hither, and gained a considerable settlement in the county of Suffolk. In 1618, he was entered a
fellow- commoner of St. John’s college in Cambridge and
about two years after, began to collect materials for forming a correct and complete history of Great Britain. He
was no less studious in preserving the history of his own
times; setting down carefully the best accounts he was
able to obtain of every memorable transaction, at the time
it happened. This disposition in a young man of parts
recommended him to the acquaintance of persons of the
first rank in the republic of letters, such as Cotton, Selden,
Spelman, &c. In 1626, he married Anne, daughter to sir
William Clopton of Essex, an exquisite beauty, not fourteen years old, with whom he was so sincerely captivated,
that his passion for her seems to have increased almost to
a degree of extravagance, even after she was his wife. He
pursued his studies, however, as usual, with great vigour
and diligence, and when little more than thirty years of
age, finished that large and accurate work for which he is
chiefly memorable. This work he kept by him during his
life-time it being written, as he tells us, for his own private use. It was published afterwards with this title
“The Journals of all the Parliaments during the reign of
queen Elizabeth, both of the House of Lords and House
of Commons, collected by sir Symonds D'Ewes, of Stowhall in the county of Suffolk, knt. and bart. revised and
published by Paul Bowes, of the Middle Temple, esq.
1682,
” folio. In
ish gentleman, memorable for the share he had in the powder-plot, and his suffering on that account, was descended from an ancient family, and born some time in 1581.
, an English gentleman, memorable for the share he had in the powder-plot, and his suffering on that account, was descended from an ancient
family, and born some time in 1581. His father, Everard
Digby, of Drystoke in Rutlandshire, esq. a person of great
worth and learning, was educated in St. John’s college,
Cambridge, where he took the degree of M. A. and published several treatises, some on learned, others on curious
subjects: as, 1. “Theoria analytica viam ad mouarchiam
scientiarum demonstrans,
” De duplici
methodo libri duo, Rami methodum refutantes,
” 1580,
8vo. 3. “De arte natandi, libri duo,
” A
dissuasive from taking away the goods and livings of the
church,
” 4to. His son, the subject of this article, was
educated with great care, but unfortunately under the tuition of some popish priests, who gave him those impressions which his father, if he had lived, might probably have
prevented; but he died when his son was only eleven
years of age. He was introduced very early to the court
of queen Elizabeth, where he was much noticed, and received several marks of her majesty’s favour. On the accession of king James, he went likewise to pay his duty,
as others of his religion did; was very graciously received;
and had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him,
being looked on as a man of a fair fortune, pregnant abilities, and a court-like behaviour. He married Mary,
daughter and sole heiress of William Mulsho, esq. of Gothurst, in Buckinghamshire, with whom he had a great fortune, which, with his own estate, was settled upon the
children of that marriage. One would have imagined that,
considering his mild temper and happy situation in the
world, this gentleman might have spent his days in honour
and peace, without running the smallest hazard of meeting
that disgraceful death, which has introduced his name into
all our histories: but it happened far otherwise. He was
drawn in by the artifices and persuasions of sir Thomas
Tresham, a zealous papist, and probably also by those of
the notorious Catesby, with whom he was intimate, to be
privy to the gunpowder-plot; and though he was not a
principal actor in this dreadful affair, or indeed an actor
at all, yet he offered 1500l. towards defraying the expences
of it; entertained Guy Fawkes, who was to have executed
it, in his house; and was taken in open rebellion with
other papists after the plot was detected and miscarried.
The means by which sir Everard was persuaded to engage
in this affair, according to his own account, were these:
first, he was told that king James had broke his promises
to the catholics; secondly, that severer laws against popery
would be made in the next parliament, that husbands
would be made obnoxious for their wives’ otte/iees and
that it would be made a praemunire only to be a catholic;
but the main point was, thirdly, that the restoring of the
catholic religion was the duty of every member and that,
in consideration of this, he was not to regard any favonjr*
received from the crown, the tranquillity of his country,
or the hazards that might be run in respect to his life, his
family, or his fortune. Upon his commitment to the Tower,
he persisted steadily in maintaining his own innocence as
to the powder-plot, and refused to discover any who were
concerned in it; but when he was brought to his trial at
Westminster, Jan. 27, 1606, and indicted for being acquainted with and concealing the powder-treason, taking
the double oath of secrecy and constancy, and acting
openly with other traitors in rebellion, he pleaded guilty.
After this, he endeavoured to extenuate his offence, by
explaining the motives before mentioned; and then requested that, as he had been alone in the crime, he might
alone bear the punishment, without extending it to his
family; and that his debts might be paid, and himself beheaded. When sentence of death was passed, he seemed
to be very much affected: for, making a low bow to those
on the bench, he said, “If I could hear any of your lordships say you forgave me, I should go the more cheerfully
to the gallows.
” To this all the lords answered, “God
forgive you, and we do.
” He was, with other conspirators, upon the 30th of the same month, hanged, drawn,
and quartered at the west end of St. Paul’s church in London, where he asked forgiveness of God, the king, the
queen, the prince, and all the parliament; and protested,
that if he had known this act at first to have been so foul a
treason, he would not have concealed it to have gained a
world, requiring the people to witness, that he died penitent and sorrowful for it. Wood mentions a most extraordinary circumstance at his death, as a thing generally
Itnown, or rather generally reported; namely, that when
the executioner plucked out his heart, and according to
form held it up, saying, “Here is the heart of a traitor,
”
sir Everard made answer, “Thou lyest;
” a story which
will scarcely now obtain belief; yet it is told by Bacon in
his “Historia vitae et mortis,
” although he does not mention sir Everard’s name.
e man, though checked by the circumstances of his times from making so great a figure as his son. He was descended from an ancient family at Coleshill, in Warwickshire,
, earl of Bristol, and father of lord George Digby, was by no means an inconsiderable man, though checked by the circumstances of his times from making so great a figure as his son. He was descended from an ancient family at Coleshill, in Warwickshire, and born in 1580. He was entered a commoner of Magdalen-college, Oxford, in 1595; and the year following distinguished himself as a poet by a copy of verses made upon the death of sir Henry Union of Wadley, in Berks. Afterwards he travelled into France and Italy, and returned from thence perfectly accomplished; so that soon falling under the notice of king James, he was admitted gentleman of the privy-chamber, and one of his majesty’s carvers, in 1605. February following he received the honour of knighthood; and in April 1611, was sent ambassador into Spain, as he was afterwards again in 1614. April 1616 he was admitted one of the king’s privy-council, and vicechamberlain of his majesty’s household; and in 1618 was advanced to the dignity of a baron, by the title of the lord Digby of Sherbourne, in Dorsetshire. In 1620 he was sent ambassador to the archduke Albert, and the year following to Ferdinand the emperor; as also to the duke of Bavaria. In 1622 he was sent ambassador extraordinary to Spain, concerning the marriage between prince Charles and Maria daughter of Philip III. and the same year was created earl of Bristol. Being censured by the duke of Buckingham, on his return from the Spanish court in 1624, he was for a short time sent to the Tower but after an examination by a committee of lords, we do not find that any thing important resulted from this inquiry. After the accession of Charles I. the tide of resentment ran strong against the earl, who observing that the king was entirely governed by Buckingham, resolved no longer to keep any measures with the court. In consequence of this, the king, by a stretch of prerogative, gave orders that the customary writ for his parliamentary attendance should not; be sent to him, and on May 1, 1626, he was charged with high treason and other offences. Lord Bristol recriminated, by preparing articles of impeachment against the duke; but the king, resolving to protect Buckingham, dissolved the parliament. The earl now sided with the leaders of opposition in the long parliament. But the violences of that assembly soon disgusting him, he left them, and became a zealous adherent to the king and his cause; for which at length he suffered exile, and the loss of his estate. He died at Paris, Jan. 21, 1653.
, an able mathematician, was descended from an ancient family, and born at Digges-court,
, an able mathematician, was descended from an ancient family, and born at Digges-court,
in the parish of Barham, in Kent, in the early part of the
sixteenth century. He was sent, as Wood conjectures,
(for he is doubtful as to the place), to University-college,
Oxford, where he laid a good foundation of learning; and
retiring from thence without a degree, prosecuted his
studies, and composed the following works: 1. “Tectonicum; briefly shewing the exact measuring, and speedy
reckoning of all manner of lands, squares, timber, stones,
steeples,
” &c. A geometrical practical treatise, named Pantometfia, in three books,
” left imperfect in ms. at his
death; but his son supplying such parts of it as were obscure and imperfect, published it in 1591, folio; subjoining, “A discourse geometrical of ae iiv< regular and
Platonical bodies, containing sundry theoretical and practical propositions, arising by mutual conference of these
solids, inscription, circumscription, and transformation.
”
3. “Prognostication everlasting of right good effect or,
choice rules to judge the weather by the sun, moon, anet
stars,
” &c. 1555, 1556, and 1564, 4to, corrected and
augmented by his son; with general tables, and many
compendious rules, 1592, 4to. He died not later than
1573.
, an eminent English civilian and antiquary, was born in 1713 in Normandy; whence his father, who was descended from an ancient family at Caen in that province, came
, an eminent English civilian and antiquary, was born in 1713 in Normandy; whence his father, who was descended from an ancient family at Caen in that province, came to England, soon after the birth of his second son James, and resided at Greenwich. The early rudiments of instruction he probably received in his own country. In 1729, being at that time a scholar at Eton, he was three months under the care of sir Hans Sloane, on account of an accident which deprived him of the sight of one eye. In 1731, he was admitted a gentleman-commoner of St. John’s college, Oxford; proceeded LL. B. June 1, 1738, and LL. D. Oct. 21, 1742; became a member of the college of Doctors Commons in November, 1743; and married, in 1749, Susanna a worthy woman, who had been his servant; and who survived him till Oct. 6, 1791, when she died in an advanced age.
D‘Urfey (Thomas), an author, more generally spoken of by the familiar name of Tom, was descended from an ancient family in France. His parents, being
D‘Urfey (Thomas), an author, more generally spoken of by the familiar name of Tom, was descended from an ancient family in France. His parents, being protestants, fled from Rochelle before it was besieged by Lewis XIII. in 1628, and settled at Exeter, where this their son was born, but in what year is uncertain. He was originally bred to the law; but soon finding that profession too saturnine for his volatile and lively genius, he quitted it, to become a devotee of the muses; in which he met with no small success. His dramatic pieces, which are very numerous, were in general well received: yet, within thirty years after his death, there was not one of them on the muster-roll of acting plays; that licentiousness of intrigue, looseness of sentiment, and indelicacy of wit, which were their strongest recommendations to the audiences for whom they were written, having very justly banished them from the stage in the periods of purer taste. Yet are they very far from being totally devoid of merit. The plots are in general busy, intricate, and entertaining; the characters are not ill drawn, although rather too farcical, and the language, if not perfectly correct, yet easy and well adapted for the dialogue of comedy. But what obtained Mr. D’Urfey his greatest reputation, was a peculiarly happy knack he possessed in the writing of satires and irregular odes. Many of these were upon temporary occasions, and were of no little service to the party in whose cause he wrote; which, together with his natural vivacity and good humour, obtained him the favour of great numbers of all ranks and conditions, monarchs themselves not excluded. He was strongly attached to the tory interest, and in the latter part of queen Anne’s reign had frequently the honour of diverting that princess with witty catches and songs of humour, suited to the spirit of the times, written by himself, and which he sung in a lively and entertaining manner. And the author of the Guardian, who, in No. 67, has given a very humorous account of Mr. D‘Urfey, with a view to recommend him to the public notice for a benefitplay, tells us, that he remembered king Charles II. leaning on Tom D’Urfey’s shoulder more than once, and humming over a song with him. He used frequently to reside with the earl of Dorset at Knole; where a picture of him, painted by stealth, is still to be seen.
, an English navigator in the reign of Elizabeth, was descended from an ancient family in Nottinghamshire, where he
, an English navigator in the reign
of Elizabeth, was descended from an ancient family in
Nottinghamshire, where he had some property. This he
sold, as did also his brother Geoffrey, being, it is said,
more inclined to trust to their abilities, than the slender
patrimony descended to them from their ancestors; and
they were among the very few of those who take such
daring resolutions in their youth, without living to repent
of them in their old age. The inclination of Edward leading him to the choice of a military life, he served some
time with reputation in Ireland; but upon sir Martin Frobisher’s report of the probability of discovering a northwest passage into the South seas, he resolved to embark
with him in his second voyage, and was accordingly appointed captain of the Gabriel, a bark of twenty-five tons,
in which he accompanied sir Martin in the summer of
1577, to the straits that now bear his name, but in their
return he was separated from him in a storm, and arrived safely at Bristol, in a third expedition, which proved
unsuccessful, he commanded the Judith, one of fifteen
sail, and had the title of rear-admiral. The miscarriage of
this voyage had not convinced Fenton of the impracticability of the project; he solicited another trial, and it was,
after much application, granted him, though the particular object of this voyage is not easily discovered; his
instructions from the privy-council, which are still preserved, say, that he should endeavour the discovery of a
north-west passage, and yet he is told to go by the Cape
of Good Hope to the East Indies, thence to the South seas,
and to attempt his return by the supposed north-west passage, and not by any means to think of passing the Straits
of Magellan, except in case of absolute necessity. The
truth appears to be, he had interest enough to be allowed
to try his fortune in the South-seas. He sailed in the
spring 1582, with four vessels, and was making to Africa;
thence he intended to sail to Brazil, in his course to the
straits of Magellan, but having learnt that there was already
a strong Spanish fleet there, he put into a Portuguese
settlement, where he met with three of the Spanish squadron, gave them battle, and after a severe engagement,
sunk their vice-admiral, and returned home in May 1583.
Here he was well received, and appointed to the command
of a ship sent out against the famous armada in 1588. In
some accounts of this action he is said to have commanded
the Antelope, in others, the Mary Rose; but his talents
and bravery in the action are universally acknowledged,
and it is certain he had a very distinguished share in those
actions, the fame of which can never be forgotten. Little
more is recorded of him, than that he spent the remainder
of his days at or near Deptford, where he died in 1603.
A monument was erected to his memory in the parish
church of Deptford, at the expence of Richard earl of
Cork, who had married his niece. According to Fuller,
he died within a few days oi' his mistress, queen Elizabeth,
and he remarks, “Observe how God set up a generation
of military men both by sea and land, which began and
expired with the reign of queen Elizabeth, like a suit of
clothes made for her, and worn out with her; for providence designing a peaceable prince to succeed her, in
whose time martial men would be rendered useless, so ordered the matter, that they all, almost, attended their
mistress, before or after, within some short distance, unto
her grave.
” This, however, was not strictly true, for the
celebrated earl of Nottingham, sir Charles Blount, sir
George Carew, sir Walter Raleigh, sir William Monson,
sir Robert Mansel, and other great officers by sea and
land, survived queen Elizabeth.
poet, and a most accomplished courtier, in the reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. Mary, and Elizabeth, was descended from an ancient family in Hertfordshire, and born
, a learned lawyer, a good historian, a celebrated poet, and a most accomplished courtier,
in the reigns of Henry VIII. Edward VI. Mary, and Elizabeth, was descended from an ancient family in Hertfordshire, and born in a village near St. Alban’s, about
1512. He was bred at Oxford, and removed thence to
Lincoln’s-inn, where he applied himself with so much success to the study of the law, that he was soon taken notice of in Westminster-hall as an advocate, at the same
time that he was much admired at court for his wit and
good-breeding. His first rise in his profession, and at
court, was owing to Cromwell earl of Essex, who was
himself a man of great parts, and took a pleasure in countenancing and advancing others who had talents. Upon
the fall of this patron, he quitted the public exercise of his
profession as a lawyer; not, however, before he had given
evident testimonies of his knowledge and learning, as appears from, 1. “The double translation of Magna Charta
from French into Latin and English.
” 2. “Other laws enacted in the time of Henry III. and Edw. I. translated into
English.
”
, a very learned lawyer in the reign of Henry VIII. was descended from an ancient family, and was the younger son of
, a very learned lawyer in the reign of Henry VIII. was descended from an ancient family, and was the younger son of Ralph Fitzherbert, esq. He was born at Norbury, co. Derby , but it is not known in what year. After he had been properly educated in the country, he was sent to Oxford, and from thence to one of the inns of court; but we neither know of what college, nor of what inn he* was admitted. His great parts, judgment, and diligence, soon distinguished him in his profession; and in process of time he became so eminent, that on Nov. 18, 1511, he was called to be a serjeant at law. In 1516 he received the honour of knighthood, and the year after was appointed one of his majesty’s Serjeants at law. He began now to present the world with the product of his studies; and published from time to time several valuable works. In 1523, which was the fifteenth year of Henry the Eighth’s reign, he was made one of the justices of the court of common pleas, in which honourable station he spent the remaining part of his life; discharging the duties of his office with such ability and integrity, that he was universally respected as the oracle of the law. Two remarkable things are related of his conduct; one, that he openly opposed cardinal Wolsey in the height of his power, although chiefly on the score of alienating the church lands; the other, that on his death-bed, foreseeing the changes that were likely to happen in the church as well as state, he pressed his children in very strong terms to promise him solemnly neither to accept grants, nor to make purchases of abbey-lands. He died May 27, 1515—8, and was buried in his own parish church of Norbury. He left behind him a very numerous posterity; and as he became by the death of his elder brother John possessed of the family estate, he was in a condition to provide very plentifully for them. The Fitzherbert family, in the different branches of it, continues to flourish, chiefly in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
, an eminent English lawyer in the reign of Henry VI. was descended from an ancient family in Devonshire: but we cannot
, an eminent English lawyer
in the reign of Henry VI. was descended from an ancient
family in Devonshire: but we cannot learn either the
place or time of his birth. It is also uncertain in which
^university he studied, or whether he studied in any. Prince,
in his -Worthies of Devonshire, supposes him to havebeen
educated at Oxford, and bishop Tanner fixes him to Exeter, college: and the great learning every where shewn in
his writings makes these conjectures probable. When he
turned his thoughts to the municipal laws of the land, he
settled at Lincoln’s Inn, where he quickly distinguished
himself by his knowledge of civil as well as common law.
The first date that occurs, with respect to his preferments,
is the fourth year of Henry VI.; when, as Dugdale informs
us, he was made one of the governors of Lincoln’s Inn,
and honoured with the same employment three years after.
In 1430 he was made a serjeant at law; and, as himself tells
us, kept his feast on that occasion with very great splendour,
In 1441 he was made a king’s serjeant at law; and, the year
after, chief justice of the king’s bench. He is highly commended by our most eminent writers, for the wisdom, gravity, and uprightness, with which he presided in that court
for many years. He remained in great favour with the king,
of which he received a signal proof, by an unnsual augmentation of his salary. He held his office through the reign
of Henry VI. to whom he steadily adhered, and served
him faithfully in all his troubles; for which, in the first
parliament of Edward IV. which began at Westminster,
Nov. 1461, he was attainted of high treason, in the same
act by which Henry VI. queen Margaret, Edward their
son, and many persons of the first distinction, were likewise attainted. After this, Henry fled into Scotland, and
it is generally believed, that he then made Fortescne chancellor of England. His name, indeed, upon this occasion,
is not found recorded in the patent rolls; because, as
Selden says, “being with Henry VI. driven into Scotland
by the fortune of the wars wijth the house of York, he was
made chancellor of England while he was there.
” Several
writers have styled him chancellor of England; and, in
his book “De laudibus legum Anglia;,
” he calls himself
“Cancellarius Angliae.
”
, an eminent English historian, was descended from an ancient family of that name in Kent. His
, an eminent English historian, was
descended from an ancient family of that name in Kent.
His grandfather, Edward Gibbon, a citizen of London,
was appointed one of the commissioners of customs under
the Tory administration of the last four years of queen
Anne, and was praised by lord Bolingbroke for his knowledge of commerce and finance. He was elected one of
the directors of the unfortunate South-sea company, in
1716, at which time he had acquired an independent fortune of 60,000l. the whole of which he lost when the company failed in 1720. The sum of 10,000l. however, was
allowed for his maintenance, and on this foundation he
reared another fortune, not much inferior to the first, an<,i
secured a part of it in the purchase of landed property.
He died in December 1736, at his house at Putney, and
by his last will enriched two daughters, at the expence of
his son Edward, who had married against his consent.
This son was sent to Cambridge, where at Emanuel college, he “passed through a regular course of academical
discipline,
” but left it without a degree, and afterwards
travelled. On his return to England he was chosen, in
1734, member of parliament for the borough of Petersfield,
and in 1741 for Southampton. In parliament he joined
the party which after a long contest, finally drove sir Robert Walpole and his friends from their places. Our author has not concealed that “in the pursuit of an unpopular minister, he gratified a private revenge against the
oppressor of his family in the South-sea persecution.
”
"Walpole, however, was not that oppressor, for Mr. CoxC
has clearly proved that he frequently endeavoured to stem
the torrent of parliamentary vengeance, and to incline the
sentiments* of the house to terms of moderation.
, an eminent civilian, the third son of John Godolphin, esq. was descended from an ancient family of his name in Cornwall, and
, an eminent civilian, the third
son of John Godolphin, esq. was descended from an ancient
family of his name in Cornwall, and born Nov. 29, 1617,
at Godolphin, in the island of Scilly. He was sent to
Oxford, and entered a commoner of Gloucester-hall, in
1632; and having laid a good foundation of logic and philosophy, he applied himself particularly to the study of
the civil law, which he chose for his profession; and accordingly took his degrees in that faculty, that of bachelor
in 1636, and of doctor in 1642-3. He has usually been
ranked among puritans for having written two treatises
published by him in 1650 and jL 1651, entitled, 1. “The
Holy Limbec, or an extraction of the spirit from the Letter of certain eminent places in the Holy Scripture.
” Other
copies were printed with this title, “The Holy Limbec,
or a Semicentury of Spiritual Extractions,
” &c. 2. “The
Holy Harbour, containing the whole body of divinity, or
the sum and substance of the Christian Religion.
” But
whatever may be the principles maintained in these works,
which we have not seen, it is certain that when he went to
London afterwards, he sided with the anti-monarchical
party; and, taking the oath called the Engagement, was
by an act passed in Cromwell’s convention, or short parliament, July 153, constituted judge of the admiralty
jointly with William Clarke, LL. D. and Charles George
Cock, esq. In July 1659, upon the death of Clarke, he
and Cock received a new commission to the same place,
to continue in force no longer than December following.
, an eminent naval historian, was descended from an ancient family at Eyton or Yetton, in Herefordshire,
, an eminent naval historian, was descended from an ancient family at Eyton or Yetton, in Herefordshire, and born about 1553. He was trained up at Westminster school; and, in 1570, removed to Christ church college in Oxford. While he was at school, he used to visit his cousin Richard Hakluyt, of Eyton, esq. at his chambers in the Middle Temple, a gentleman well known and esteemed, not only by some principal ministers of state, but also by the most noted persons among the mercantile and maritime part of the kingdom, as a great encourager of navigation, and the improvement of trade, arts, and manufactures. At this gentleman’s chambers young Hakluyt met with books or' cosmography, voyages, travels, and maps; and was so pleased with them, that he resolved to direct his studies that way, to which he was not a little encouraged by his cousin. For this purpose, as soon as he got to Oxford, he made himself master of the modern as well as ancient languages; and then read over whatever printed or written discourses of voyages and discoveries, naval enterprizes, and adventures of all kinds, he found either extant in Greek^ Latin, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, or English. By such means he became so conspicuous in this new branch of science, that he was chosen to read public lectures on naval matters at Oxford, and was the first who introduced maps, globes, spheres, and other instruments of the art, into the common schools. The: zeal and knowledge he displayed made him acquainted with and respected by the principal sea-commanders, merchants, and manners of our nation; and^ though it was but a few years after that he went beyond sea, yet his fame travelled thither long before him. He held a correspondence with the learned in these matters abroad, as with Ortelius, the king of Spain’s cosmographer, Mercator, &c.
, a noted translator, was descended from an ancient family of the Hollands of Lancashire,
, a noted translator, was descended from an ancient family of the Hollands of Lancashire, and was the son of John Holland, a pious divine,
who, in queen Mary’s reign, was obliged to go abroad for
the sake of religion; but afterwards returned, and became
pastor of Dunmowin Essex, where he died in 1578. Philemon was born at Chelmsford in Essex, about the latter
end of the reign of Edward VI. and after being instructed
at the grammar-school of that place, was sent to Trinitycollege, Cambridge, where he was pupil to Dr. Hampton,
and afterwards to Dr. Whitgift. He was admitted fellow of
his college, but left the university after having taken the
degree of M. A. in which degree he was incorporated at
Oxford in 1587. He was appointed head master, of the
free-school of Coventry, and in this laborious station he not
only attended assiduously to the duties of his office, but
served the interests of learning, by undertaking those numerous translations, which gained him the title of “Translator general of the age.
” He likewise studied medicine,
and practised with considerable reputation in his neighbourhood; and at length, when at the age of forty, became
a doctor of physic in the university of Cambridge. He
was a peaceable, quiet, and good man in all the relations
of private life, and by his habits of temperance and regularity attained his 85th year, not only with the full possession of his intellects, but his sight was so good, that
he never had occasion to wear spectacles. He continued
to translate till his 80th year; and his translations, though
devoid of elegance, are accounted faithful and accurate.
Among these are, translations into English of “Livy,
”
written, it is said, with one pen, which a lady of his acquaintance so highly prized that she had it embellished
with silver, and kept as a great curiosity. “Pliny’s Natural History,
” “Plutarch’s Morals,
” Suetonius,“”Ammianus Marcellinus,“” Xenophon’s Cyropaedia,“and
” Camdeu’s Britannia,“to the last of which he made
several useful additions: and into Latin he translated the geographical part of
” Speed’s Theatre of Great Britain,“and
a French
” Pharmacopoeia of Brice Bauderon." A quibbling epigram upon his translation of Suetonius has often
been retailed in jest books:
, earl of Clarendon, and chancellor of England, was descended from an ancient family in Cheshire, and born at Dinton
, earl of Clarendon, and chancellor of
England, was descended from an ancient family in Cheshire, and born at Dinton in Wiltshire, Feb. 16, 1608. In
1622, he was entered of Magdalen-hall in Oxford, and ir
1625, took the degree of bachelor in arts but failing of a
fellowship in Exeter college, for which he stood, he removed to the Middle Temple, where he studied the law
for several years with diligence and success. When tha
lawyers resolved to give a public testimony of their dissent
from the new doctrine advanced in Prynne’s “Histriomastix,
” in which was shewn an utter disregard of all manner of decency and respect to the crown, Hyde and Whitelocke were appointed the managers of the masque presented on that occasion to their majesties at Whitehall on
Candlemas-day, 1633-4. At the same time he testified,
upon all occasions, his utter dislike to that excess of power,
which was then exercised by the court, and supported by
the judges in Westminster-hall. He condemned the oppressive proceedings of the high-commission court, the
star-chamber, the council-board, the earl-marshal’s court,
or court of honour, and the court of York. This just way
of thinking is said to have been formed in him by a domestic accident, which Burnet relates in the following
manner: “When he first began,
” says that historian, “to
grow eminent in his profession of the law, he went down to
visit his father in Wiltshire; who one day, as they were
walking in the fields together, observed to him, that ‘ men
of his profession were apt to stretch the prerogative too
far, and injure liberty: but charged him, if ever he came
to any eminence in his profession, never to sacrifice the
laws and liberty of his country to his own interest, or the
will of his prince.’ He repeated this twice, and immediately fell into a fit of apoplexy, of which he died in afew hours; and this advice had so lasting an influence upou
the son, that he ever after observed and pursued it
”
, a pious English divine and writer, was born in 1646, and was descended from an ancient family at Eaton under Heywood, in
, a pious English divine and writer,
was born in 1646, and was descended from an ancient family at Eaton under Heywood, in Shropshire. He was
related to bishop Williams, of Chichester, to whom he dedicated his book of “Prayers.
” Where he was educated
we are not told, nor is it discoverable that he was at either
university. He appears, however, when admitted into
orders, to have been for some time curate of Harlay, in
Shropshire. On the death of his rector, Richard earl of
Bradford, the patron of the living, hearing Mr. Jenks
spoken of respectfully by the parishioners, went one Sunday, in private, to hear him preach; and was so much
pleased with the discourse, that he presented him to the
living in 1668, and made him his chaplain. Mr. Jenks
had also the living of Kenley, a small village about two
miles from Harlay, at both which churches he officiated
alternately, and kept no curate until old age and infirmities made assistance necessary. He died at Harlay on
May 10, 1724, and was buried in the chancel of that
church, where there is a monument to his memory. The
work by which Mr. Jenks is best known is his “Prayers
and offices of Devotion,
” of which the 27th edition was
published in 1810 by the Rev. Charles Simeon, fellow of
King’s college, Cambridge, with alterations and amendments in style. Mr. Jenks also was the author of “Meditations upon various important subjects,
” of which a second edition was published in Meditations
” is upon his coffin, which he kept by
him for many years, and in which were two sculls, one of
them that of a near relation.
, a learned prelate, and deservedly reputed one of the fathers of the English church, was descended from an ancient family at Buden in Devonshire, where
, a learned prelate, and deservedly reputed one of the fathers of the English church, was descended from an ancient family at Buden in Devonshire, where he was born May 24, 1522. After learning the rudiments of grammar under his maternal uncle Mr. Bellamy, rector of Hamton, and being put to school at Barnstaple, he was sent to Oxford, and admitted a postmaster of Mertori college, in July 1535, under the tuition of Parkhurst, afterwards bishop of Norwich, who entertained a very high opinion of him from the beginning, and had great pleasure in. cultivating his talents. After studying four years at this college, he was, in August 1539, chosen scholar of Corpus Chnsti college, where he pursued his studies with indefatigable industry, usually rising at four in the morning, and studying till ten at night by which means he acquired a masterly knowledge in most branches of learning but, taking too little care of his health, he contracted such a cold as fixed a lameness in one of his legs, which accompanied him to his grave. In Oct. 1540, he proceeded B.A. became a celebrated tutor, and was soon after chosen reader of humanity and rhetoric in his college. In Feb. 1544, he commenced M. A. the expence of taking which degree was borne by his tutor Parkhurst.
, the deprived bishop of Bath and Wells, was descended from an ancient family seated at Kenplace, in Somersetshire,
, the deprived bishop of Bath and Wells,
was descended from an ancient family seated at Kenplace, in Somersetshire, and born at Berkhamstead, in
Hertfordshire, July 1637. At the age of thirteen he was
sent to Winchester-school; and thence removed to Newcollege, in Oxford, of which he became a probationerfellow in 1657. He took his degrees regularly, and pursued his studies closely for many years; and in 1666 he
removed to Winchester-college, being chosen fellow of
that society. Not long after this, he was appointed domestic chaplain to Morley, bishop of that see, who presented him first to the rectory of Brixton, in the Isle of
Wight, and afterwards to a prebend in the church of Westminster, 1669. In 1674 he made a tour to Rome, with
his nephew Mr. Isaac Walton, then B. A. in Christchurch, in Oxford; and after his return, took his degrees in divinity, 1679. Not long after, being appointed
chaplain to the princess of Orange, he went to Holland. Here his prudence and piety gained him the esteem
and confidence of his mistress; but in the course of his
office, he happened to incur the displeasure of her consort, by obliging one of his favourites to perform a promise
of marriage with a young lady of the princess’s train, whom
he had seduced by that contract. This zeal in Ken so
offended the prince, afterwards king William, that he very
warmly threatened to turn him away from the service;
which Ken as warmly resenting, requested leave of the
princess to return home, and would* not consent to stay
till intreated by the prince in person. About a year after,
however, he returned to England, and was appointed in
quality of chaplain, to attend lord Dartmouth with the
royal commission to demolish the fortifications of Tangier.
The doctor returned with this nobleman April 1684; and
was immediately advanced to be chaplain to the king, by
an order from his majesty himself. Not only the nature
of the post, but the gracious manner of conferring it, evidently shewed that it was intended as a step to future favours; and this was so well understood, that, upon the
removal of the court to pass the summer at Winchester,
the doctor’s prebendal house was pitched upon for the use
of Mrs. Eleanor Gwyn. But Ken was too pious even to
countenance vice in his royal benefactor; and therefore
positively refused admittance to the royal mistress, which
the king, however, did not take amiss, as he knew the
sincerity of the man; and, previous to any application, nominated him soon after to the bishopric of Bath and Wells.
A few days after this, the king was seized with the illness
of which he died; during which, the doctor thought it his
duty to attend him very constantly, and did his utmost to
awaken his conscience. Bishop Burnet tells us that he
spoke on that occasion “with great elevation of thought
and expression, and like a man inspired.
” This pious
duty was the cause of delaying his admission to the temporalities of the see of Wells; so that when king James
came to the crown, new instruments were prepared for
that purpose.
, bishop of Cloghcr in Ireland, was descended from an ancient family, and born at Balquhaine, in
, bishop of Cloghcr in Ireland, was descended from an ancient family, and born at Balquhaine, in the north of Scotland. The first part of his education was at Aberdeen, whence he removed to Oxford. Afterwards he travelled into Spain, Italy, Germany, and France: he spoke French, Spanish, and Italian, with the same propriety and fluency as the natives; and was so great a master of the Latin, that it was said of him, when in Spain, Solus Lcsleius Latine loquitur. He continued twenty-two years abroad; and, during that time, was at the siege of Rochelle, and the expedition to the isle of Rhee, with the duke of Buckingham. He was all along conversant in courts, and at home was happy in that of Charles I. who admitted him into his privy. council both in Scotland and Ireland; in which stations he was continued by Charles II. after the restoration. His chief preferment in the church of Scotland was the bishopric of the Orkneys, whence he was translated to Raphoe in Ireland, in 1633; and, the same year, sworn a privy-counsellor in that kingdom. He built a stately palace in his diocese, in the form and strength of a castle, one of the finest episcopal palaces in Ireland, and proved to be useful afterwards in the rebellion of 1641, by preserving a good part of that country. The good bishop exerted himself, as much as he could, in defence of the royal cause, and endured a siege in his castle of Raphoe, before he would surrender it to Oliver Cromwell, being the last which held out in that country. He then retired to Dublin, where he always used the liturgy of the church of Ireland in his family, and even had frequent confirmations and ordinations. After the restoration, he came over to England; and, in 1661, was translated to the see of Clogher. He died in 1671, aged above 100 3'ears, having been above 50 years a bishop; and was then consequently the oldest bishop in the world.
ing eloge was written by the late Mr. Collinson immediately after the death of Mr. Lethieullier: “He was descended from an ancient family from France in time of persecution,
, gentleman-commoner
of Trinity college, Oxford, was the second son of John
Lethieullier, esq. of Aldersbrook, in Essex, where he had
a noble collection of Mss. choice books, medals, and na-,
tural curiosities, which he had collected in his travels
through France, Italy, and Germany. His father dying
Jan. 1, 1736-7, and his elder brother being dead before,
he became heir to the paternal estates, which were very
considerable. He was elected F. S. A. in July 1724. He
married, Feb. 6, 1725-6, Margaret, daughter of William
Sloper, esq. of Woodhay, in Berkshire; but died Aug.
27, 1760, aged fifty-nine, without issue. He was succeeded in his estates, to which he had added the manor
of Birch- hall in They don Bois, by Mary, only daughter
of his next brother Charles Lethieullier, LL.D. fellow of
All Souls college, F. A. S. and counsellor at law, who died
the year before him. He was an excellent scholar, a
polite gentleman, and universally esteemed by all the
learned men of his time. Some papers of his are printed
in Phil. Trans. No. 497, and Archseologia, I. p. 26, 57, 73,
75; II. 291. His library was sold by auction, 1760.
The following eloge was written by the late Mr. Collinson immediately after the death of Mr. Lethieullier: “He
was descended from an ancient family from France in time
of persecution, and a gentleman every way eminent for his
excellent endowments. His desire to improve in the civil
and natural history of his country led him to visit all parts
of it; the itineraries in his library, and the discoveries he
made relating to its antiquities, with drawings of every
thing remarkable, are evidences of his great application to
rescue so many ancient remains from mouldering into oblivion. His happy turn of mind was not confined solely to
antiquities, but in these journeys he was indefatigable in
collecting all the variety of English fossils, with a view to
investigate their origin: this great collection, which excels
most others, is deposited in two large cabinets, disposed
under their proper classes. The most rare are elegantly
drawn, and described in a folio book, with his observations
on them. As the variety of ancient marbles had engaged
his attention, and he found so little said of them with respect to their natural history, it was one of his motives, iti
visiting Italy, to furnish himself with such materials as he
was able to procure from books, and learned men, relating
to them. He collected specimens of the most curious, and
had drawings, finely painted, of the most remarkable monuments of the ancient marbles; they are bound up in a
folio volume, with all the observations he could gather relating to their natural history and antiquity. His cabinet
of medals, his collection of antiquities of various kinds,
and most elegant books of the finest engravings, are ‘instances of the fine taste with which he has enriched his
library and cabinet with the spoils of Italy. This short but
imperfect memoir is candidly offered as a tribute due to a
Jong friendship. It is wished it may excite an abler pen
’to do more justice to the memory of this great and good
man. But it is humbly hoped that these hints will be accepted not only as a testimony of respect, but may also
inform an inquisitive genius in these branches of science
where he may be assisted with such valuable materials for
the prosecution of his future studies.
”
, a remarkable English enthusiast, was descended from an ancient family in the county of Durham, where
, a remarkable English enthusiast, was descended from an ancient family in the county of Durham, where his father, Richard Lilburne, was possessed of a handsome estate*, especially at Thickney-Purcharden, the seat of the family upon which he resided, and Lad this son, who was born in 1613. Being a younger child, he was designed for a trade; and was put apprentice at twelve years of age, to a wholesale clothier in London, who, as well as his father, was disaffected to the hierarchy. The youth, we are told, had a prompt genius and a forward temper above his years, which shewed itself conspicuously, not long after, in a complaint to the citychamberlain of his master’s ill-usage; by which, having obtained more liberty, he purchased a multitude of books favourable to his notions of politics and religion; and having his imagination warmed with a sense of suffering and resentment, he became at length so considerable among his party, as to be consulted upon the boldest of their undertakings against the hierarchy, while yet an apprentice.
, a learned and amiable clergyman, and some time Greek professor of the university of Cambridge, was descended from an ancient family in Pembrokeshire, and was the
, a learned and amiable clergyman,
and some time Greek professor of the university of Cambridge, was descended from an ancient family in Pembrokeshire, and was the son of major Lort, of the Welsh
fusileers, who was killed at the battle of Fontenoy, in 1745.
He was born in 1725, and was admitted of Trinity-college,
Cambridge, in 1743, from whence he removed into the
family of Dr. Mead, to whom he was librarian until the
death of that celebrated physician, in 1754; and while in
that situation probably acquired the taste for literary history
and curiosities which enabled him to accumulate a very
valuable library, as well as to assist many of his contemporaries in their researches into biography and antiquities.
In the mean time he kept his terms at college; and proceeded A. B. in 1746; was elected fellow of his college in
1749; and took his degree of M. A. in 1750. In 1755 he
was elected a fellow of the society of antiquaries, and was
many years a vice-president, until his resignation in 1788.
During this time he made some communications to the
“Archxologia,
” vols. IV. and V. In 1759, on the resignation of Dr. Francklin, he was appointed Greek professor
at Cambridge, and in 1761 he took the degree of B. D.
and was appointed chaplain to Dr. Terrick, then bishop of
Peterborough. In January 1771 he was collated by Dr.
Cornwallis, archbishop of Canterbury, to the rectory of St.
Matthew, Friday-street, on which he resigned his Greek
professorship; and in August 1779 he was appointed chaplain to the archbishop, and in the same year commenced
D.D. In April 1780, the archbishop gave him a prebend
of St. Pau Ps (his grace’s option) and he continued at Lambeth till 1783, when he married Susanna Norfolk, one of
the two daughters of alderman Norfolk, of Cambridge. On
the death of Dr. Ducarel, in 1785, he was appointed by
archbishop Moore, librarian to the archiepiscopal library at
Lambeth. He was also for some years librarian to the
duke of Devonshire. In April 1789, he was presented by
Dr. Porteus, bishop of London, to the sinecure rectory Jqf
Fulham, in Middlesex; and in the same year was instituted to the rectory of Mile-end, near Colchester. He
died Nov. 5, 1790, at his house in Savile-row; his death
was occasioned by a fall from a chaise while riding near
Colchester, which injured his kidnies, and was followed
by a paralytic stroke. He was buried at his church in Friday-street, of which he had been rector nineteen years. A
monumental tablet was put up to his memory, which also
records the death of his widow, about fifteen months afterwards. They had no issue.
, a Danish statesman and scholar, was descended from an ancient family, a branch of the counts of
, a Danish statesman and scholar, was descended from an ancient family, a
branch of the counts of Guerini, in the dukedom of Tuscany, which had settled in Germany. He was born in
1703, at the castle of Lubbenau, and educated at Jena and
Halle, at both which places he applied with the utmost
assiduity to the Greek and Latin languages, and even to
theology. After travelling in various parts of Europe, and
visiting England in 1732, he obtained an appointment at
the court of Denmark; but, being ambitious of a more
public station, he volunteered his services in the home and
foreign department, and displayed so much activity that
he was dispatched by Christian VI. to East Friezland, to
settle the affairs of the dowager princess, Sophia Caroline,
sister to the queen. This mission he discharged to the
satisfaction of his sovereign; and was appointed in 1735
ambassador extraordinary to the court of Stockholm, where
he resided until 1740. On his return to Denmark the
king conferred on him an office in Holstein, and a few
years after he was sent as ambassador extraordinary to Petersburgh. On his return in 1752 he was appointed governor of the counties of Oldenburg and Delmanhorsr, to
which he retired with his family, and where he spent his
time in the composition of literary works, the first of which,
a translation of “Seneca de Beneficiis,
” with excellent
notes, was printed in The Epistles of
St. Paul,
” &c. which was afterwards published. He wrote
also several moral essays.
, a distinguished physician, was born at Ballymony, co. Antrim, on the 26th of April, 1726. He was descended from an ancient family of his name in the shire of
, a distinguished physician, was
born at Ballymony, co. Antrim, on the 26th of April,
1726. He was descended from an ancient family of his
name in the shire of Galloway, in Scotland; but his grandfather, who was bred to the church, was called to officiate
at Belfast to a congregation of Presbyterians, and his
father became the minister of Ballymony, where David
was born. Having received the first elements of his education at the public school of this place, and served his
apprenticeship to a surgeon, he went into the navy, first
in the capacity of mate to an hospital-ship, and subsequently in the rank of surgeon, in which station he remained for some years preceding the peace of Aix-laChapelle. At this period he was led from the frequent
opportunities of witnessing the attacks of scurvy which a
sea-faring life afforded him, to investigate the best method
of cure for that disease, upon which he afterwards published a treatise. After the peace of Aix, Mr. Macbride
went to Edinburgh and London, where he studied anatomy
under those celebrated teachers doctors Monro and Hunter,
and midwifery under Smellie. About the end of 1749, he
settled in Dublin as a surgeon and accoucheur; but his
youth and remarkable bashfulness occasioned him to remain a number of years in obscurity, little employed; although he was endeared to a small circle of friends by his
great abilities, amiable dispositions, and his general knowledge in all the branches of polite literature and the arts.
In 1764, he published his “Experimental Essays,
” which
were received with great applause, and were soon translated into different languages; and the singular merit of
this performance induced the university of Glasgow to
confer the degree of doctor of physic on its author. The
improvement introduced by Dr. Macbride in the art of
tanning, by substituting lime-water for common water in
preparing ooze, procured him the honour of a silver medal
from the Dublin Society, in 1768, and of a gold medal of
considerable value from the society of arts and commerce
in London.
, M. A. one of the most learned critics of the eighteenth century, was descended from an ancient family of that name, seated near Wigan,
, M. A. one of the most learned
critics of the eighteenth century, was descended from an
ancient family of that name, seated near Wigan, in Lancashire. He was one of the twelve children of the rev.
Ralph Markland, M. A. vicar of Childwall, in that county,
whose unblemished life and character gave efficacy to the
doctrines he preached, and rendered him an ornament to
the church of which he was a member. He was not, however, the author of a poem, frequently attributed to his
pen, entitled “Pteryplegia, or the art of Shooting Fly-,
ing,
” as it was one of the juvenile productions of his relative, Dr. Abraham Markland, fellow of St. John’s college,
Oxford, and above thirty years master of St. Cross, near
Winchester, of whose life and more important writings
Wood has made some mention.
, an eminent school -master, was descended from an ancient family in Cumberland. His father,
, an eminent school -master, was descended from an ancient family in Cumberland. His father, William Mulcaster, resided at Carlisle, where, according to Wood, his son Richard was born. He was educated on the foundation at Eton, whence, in 1548, he gained his election to King’s college, Cambridge. Here he took no degree, but while scholar removed to Oxford; for what reason we know not. In 1555, he was elected student of Christ-Church; and, in the next year, was licensed to proceed in arts, and became eminent for his proficiency in Eastern literature. He began to be a teacher about 1559, and on Sept. 24, 1561, for his extraordinary accomplishments in philology was appointed the first master of Merchant Taylors’ school, then just founded; and he provided the first usher, and divided the boys into forms, &c. In this school he passed nearly twenty-six years; a severe disciplinarian, according to Fuller, but beloved by his pupils when they came to the age of maturity and reflected on the benefit they had derived from his care. Of these, bishop Andrews appears always to have preserved the highest respect for him, had his portrait hung over his study-door, behaved with great liberality to him, and by his will bequeathed a handsome legacy to his son. In April 1594, he was collated to the prebendal-stall of Gatesbury in the cathedral of Sarum; and, in 1596, he resigned the mastership of Merchant Taylors. The company were desirous that he should remain with them; but Fuller has recorded that he gave for answer, Fidelis semus, perpetuus asinus; and it appears from Mr. Wilson’s History that he had at last reason to think himself slighted . With his profession he certainly was not dissatisfied, nor, able to give it up for when he left the Merchant Taylors, he was chosen, in the same year, 1596, upper master of St. Paul’s School, in which office he remained for twelve years, and then retired to the rich rectory of StamfordRivers, in Essex, to which he had been instituted at the presentation of the queen. His retirement might also have been hastened by the loss of an affectionate wife, as well as by the decaying state of his own health; for, two years after putting up a plate with an inscription to her memory, in the church of Stamford, he died April 15, 1611, and was buried in the same church, but without any memorial.
, an English physician and antiquary, was descended from an ancient family in Westmorland, but born at
, an English physician
and antiquary, was descended from an ancient family in
Westmorland, but born at Charlton-Musgrave in Somersetshire, in 1657. Being educated, as is supposed, at
Winchester-school, he became, in 1675, a probationerfellow of New college, in Oxford, where he took the degree of LL. B. in 1682; but afterwards studying physic,
distinguished himself greatly by his knowledge in that profession and in natural philosophy; and was elected fellow
of the royal society. He was made secretary to it in 1684,
in which quality he continued, and published the “Philosophical Transactions,
” from No.
, an eminent Polish divine, was descended from an ancient family in Prussia, and born about
, an eminent Polish divine,
was descended from an ancient family in Prussia, and born
about 1618. In the course of his studies, which were passed
at Kalisch, he applied himself particularly to poetry; for
which he had an early taste. After he had finished his
courses of divinity and jurisprudence, he travelled to Italy;
where he visited the best libraries, and took the degree of
doctor of law at Rome. Thence he went to France, and
was introduced at Paris to the princess Mary Louisa; who
being about to marry Ladislaus IV. king of Poland, Olzoffski had the honour of attending her thither. On his arrival, the king offered him the secretary’s place; but he declined it, for the sake of following his studies. Shortly after
he was made a canon of the cathedral church at Guesne,
and chancellor to the archbishopric: in which post he managed all the affairs of that see, the archbishop being very
old and infirm. After the death of this prelate, he was called
to court, and made Latin secretary to his majesty; which
place he filled with great reputation, being a complete master of that language. In the war between Poland and Sweden, he wrote a piece against that enemy to his country,
entitled “Vindiciae Polonicae.
” He attended at the election of Leopold to the imperial crown of Germany, in
quality of ambassador to the king of Poland, and went afterwards in the same character to Vienna, to solicit the withdrawing of the imperial troops from the borders of the Polish territories. Immediately on his return he was invested
with the high office of prebendary to the crown, and promoted to the bishopric of Culm.
After the death of Ladislaus he fell into disgrace with
the queen, because he opposed the design she had of setting a prince of France upon the throne of Poland however, this did not hinder him from being made vice-chancellor of the crown. He did all in his power to dissuade
Casimir II. from renouncing the crown; and, after the resignation of that king, several competitors appearing to fill
the vacancy, Olzoffski on the occasion published a piece,
called “Censura,
” &c. This was answered by another,
entitled “Censura Censurse Candidatorum;
” and the liberty which our vice-chancellor had taken in his “Censura
”
brought him into some danger. It was chiefly levelled
against the young prince of Muscovy, who was one of the
competitors, though no more than eight years of age; and
the czar was highly incensed, and made loud complaints
and menaces, unless satisfaction were given for the offence.
Upon the election of Michel Koribut to the throne, Olzoffski was dispatched to Vienna, to negotiate a match between the new-elected king and one of the princesses of
Austria; and, on his return from that embassy, was made
grand chancellor of the crown. He did not approve the
peace concluded with the Turks in 1676, and wrote to the
grand vizir in terms of which the grand seignor complained
to the king of Poland.
, an English writer of considerable abilities, was born about 1589. He was descended from an ancient family, who had been long seated at
, an English writer of considerable abilities, was born about 1589. He was descended
from an ancient family, who had been long seated at Chicksand, near Shefford, in Bedfordshire, where his grandfather, and father, sir John Osborne, were men of fortune,
and, according to Wood, puritans, who gave him what
education he had at home, but never sent him to either
school or university. This he appears to have afterwards
much regretted, on comparing the advantages of public
and private education. As soon, however, as he was of
age, he commenced the life of a courtier, and being taken
into the service of the Pembroke family, became master of
the horse to William earl of Pembroke. Upon the breaking
out of the civil wars, he sided with the parliament, but not
in all their measures, nor all their principles; yet they
conferred some public employments upon him; and, having
married a sister of one of Oliver’s colonels, he was enabled
to procure his son John a fellowship in All-souls’ college,
Oxford, by the favour of the parliamentary visitors of that
university, in 1648. After this he resided there himself,
purposely to superintend his education; and also to print
some books of his own composition. Accordingly, among
others, he published there his “Advice to a Son,
” the first
part in godly ministers,
” as Wood calls them,
they drew up a complaint against the said books, as instilling atheistical principles into the minds of the youth,
and proposed to have them publicly burnt. Although this
sentence was not carried into execution, there appeared so
many objections to the volumes, that an order passed the
27th of July, 1658, forbidding all booksellers, or any other
persons, to sell them. But our author did not long survive this order, dykig Feb. 11, 1659, aged about seventy.
For the accusation of atheism there seems little foundation;
but many of his sentiments are otherwise objectionable,
and the quaintness of his style, and pedantry of his expression, have long ago consigned the work to oblivion. His
other publications were, 1. “A seasonable Expostulation,
with the Netherlands,
” &c. Persuasive
to mutual compliance under the present government.
”
3. “Plea for a free State compared with Monarchy.
” 4.
“The private Christian’s non ultra,
” &c. 1G56, 4to. 5.
A volume in 8vo, containing, “The Turkish policy, &c.
a Discourse upon Machiavel, &c. Observations upon the
King of Sweden’s descent into Germany a Discourse upon
Piso and Vindex, &c. a Discourse upon the greatness
and corruption of the Court of Rome another upon the
Election of Pope JLeo X. Political occasion for the defection from the Church of Rome a Discourse in vindication
of Martin Luther.
” Besides these were published, 1.
“Historical Memoirs on the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth
and King James.
” 2. “A Miscellany of sundry Essays,
&c. together with political deductions from the History
of the Earl of Essex,
” c. Other pieces have been ascribed to him on doubtful authority. A collection of his
works was published in 1689, 8vo and again, 1722, in 2
vols. 12mo.
, a very pleasing English poet, was descended from an ancient family, settled for some centuries
, a very pleasing English poet, was descended from an ancient family, settled for some centuries at Congleton, in Cheshire. His father, of the same name, wns attached to the republican party in the reign of Charles I.; and on the restoration found it convenient to go over to Ireland, carrying with him a large personal fortune, with which he purchased estates in that kingdom. These, with the lands he had in Cheshire, descended to the poet, who was horn in 1679, in Dublin. In this city he was educated, and entered of Trinity-college, Dublin, at the age of thirteen. He became M. A. in 1700, and in the same year was ordained deacon, although under the canonical age, by a dispensation from the primate. Three years after he was admitted into priest’s orders, and in 1705, Dr. Ashe, bishop of Clogher, conferred upon him the archdeaconry of Clogher. About the same time, he married miss Anne Minchin, an amiable lady, by whom he had two sons, who died young, and a daughter who long survived him.
, an English poet, was descended from an ancient family in Leicestershire, and educated
, an English poet, was descended
from an ancient family in Leicestershire, and educated at
St. John’s-college, in Cambridge, where he took his degrees of A.B. in 1696, and A.M. in 1700, at which time he
obtained a fellowship. ' While at college also he is supposed to have written his “Pastorals,
” which involved him
so seriously with the wits and critics of the age. When
he quitted the university, and repaired to the metropolis,
he became, as Jacob expresses himself, “one of the wits
at Button’s; n and there contracted an acquaintance with
the gentlemen of the belles lettres, who frequented it. Sir
Richard Steele was his particular friend, and inserted in
his Tatler, N. 12, a little poem of his, called
” A Winter
Piece,“dated from Copenhagen, the 9th of May, 1709,
and addressed to the earl of Dorset. Sir Richard thus
mentions it with honour:
” This is as fine a piece as we
ever had from any of the schools of the most learned painters. Such images as these give us a new pleasure in our
sight, and fix upon our minds traces of reflection, which
accompany us wherever the like objects occur.“Pope,
too, who had a confirmed aversion to Philips, while he
affected to despise his other works, always excepted this
out of the number, and mentioned it as the production of
a man
” who could write very nobly."
, a Roman catholic divine, and author of some works of considerable merit, was descended from an ancient family. His father was a Roman catholic,
, a Roman catholic divine, and author of some works of considerable merit, was descended from an ancient family. His father was a Roman catholic, but had become a convert to popery. Where or when he was born we are not told, but it appears that when at school, he became an enthusiastic admirer of some catholic books, lives of the saints, &c. He was thence removed to St. Omer’s, where he made great progress in polite literature, and obtained the first academical prizes. At one time, he felt an inclination to become a member of the society of the Jesuits, but changed his mind in that respect, and after a course of study at St. Omer’s, travelled through the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Italy, during the course of which, he visited persons eminent for learning; assisted at various academical exercises looked over the principal libraries, and considered the productions of the polite arts, and those magnificent structures which ancient and modern piety had raised and dedicated to public worship. He observed the different face and product of each country, and that endless variety of manners which seems merely or principally to arise from clU mate and education. He did not trust his remarks to memory alone, but committed them briefly to writing; but whether they are now existing, we are unable to ascertain.
, an eminent Scotch physician of the mechanical sect, was descended from an ancient family in the county of Fife, and
, an eminent Scotch physician of the mechanical sect, was descended from an
ancient family in the county of Fife, and born at Edinburgh Dec. 25, 1652. After some classical education at the
school of Dalkeith, he was removed in 1668 to the university of Edinburgh; where, having gone through a course
of philosophy, he obtained in 1671 his degree of M. A. and
studied first divinity, which does not appear to have been
to his taste, and then the civil law, which was more seriously the object of his choice, and he pursued it with so
much intenseness as to impair his health. He was then,
advised to travel to Montpelier in France, but found himself recovered by the time he reached Paris. He determined to pursue the study of the law in the university
there; but there being no able professor of it, and meeting
with some of his countrymen, who were students in physic,
he went with them to the lectures and hospitals. A few
months after, he was called home by his father; and now,
having laid in the first elements of all the three professions,
he found himself absolutely undetermined which to follow.
In the mean time he applied himself to the mathematics,
in which he made a very great progress; and an acquaintance which he formed with Dr. David Gregory, the celebrated mathematical professor, probably conduced to cherish his natural aptitude for this study. At length, struck
with the charms of mathematical truth which been lately
introduced into the philosophy of medicine, and hoping to
reduce the healing art to geometrical method, he unalterably determined in favour of medicine as a profession. As
there was however at this time no medical school in Edinburgh, no hospital, nor opportunity of improvement but
the chamber and the shop, he returned to Paris about 1675,
and cultivated the object of his pursuit with diligence and
steadiness. Among his various occupations, the study of
the ancient physicians seems to have had a principal share.
This appears from a treatise which he published some time
after his return, “Solutio problematis de inventoribus,
”
which shews that he wisely determined to know the progress of medicine from its earliest periods, before he attempted to reform and improve that science. In August
1680 he received from the faculty of llheims the degree
of Doctor, which in 1699 was likewise conferred on him
by the university of Aberdeen, and he was likewise appointed a member of the college of surgeons of Edinburgh
in 1701. He was before chosen a member of the royal
college of physicians of Edinburgh from the time it was
established by charter in 1681.
On his return to Edinburgh, which was about the time of
the revolution, he presently came into good business, and
acquired an extensive reputation. Such, however, was his
attachment to the exiled James II. that he became excluded
from public honours and promotion at home, and therefore,
Laving in 1692 received an invitation from the curators of
the university of Leyden, to be professor of physic there,
he accepted it, and went and made his inauguration speech
the 26th of April that year, entitled “Oratio qua ostenditur meclicinam ab omni philosophorum secta esse Jiberam.
” He continued there little more than a year; during
which short space he published several dissertations, chiefly
with a view of shewing the usefulness of mathematics to
physic. Pitcairne was the first who introduced the mechanic principles into that art, now so generally exploded,
but they do not appear to have influenced his practice,
which did not differ essentially from the present. He
returned to Scotland in 1693, to discharge an engagement
to a young lady, who became his second wife, the daughter
of sir Archibald Stephenson, an eminent physician in Edinburgh; and, being soon after married to her, was fully
resolved to set out again for Holland; but, the lady’s parents being unwilling to part with her, he settled at Edinburgh, and wrote a valedictory letter to the university of
Leyden. His lady did not survive her marriage many
years; yet she brought him a daughter, who was in 1731
married to the earl of Kelly.
, Earl Of Bath, an eminent English statesman, was descended from an ancient family, who took their surname from
, Earl Of Bath, an eminent English statesman, was descended from an ancient family, who took their surname from a place of that appellation in Leicestershire. His grandfather, sir William Pulteney, was member of parliament for the city of Westminster, and highly distinguished himself in the House of Commons by his manly and spirited eloquence. Of his father, little is upon record. He was born in 1682, and educated at Westminster school and Christ-church, Oxford, where his talents and industry became so conspicuous, that dean Aldrich appointed him to make the congratulatory speech to queen Anne, on her visit to the college. Having travelled through various parts of Europe, he returned to his riative country with a mind highly improved, and came into parliament for the borough of Heydon in Yorkshire, by the interest of Mr. Guy, his protector and great benefactor, who left him 40,000l. and an estate of 500l. a year.
, an eminent English bishop, was descended from an ancient family, and was the youngest son of
, an eminent English
bishop, was descended from an ancient family, and was
the youngest son of Robert Sanderson, of Gilthwaite-hall,
Yorkshire, by Elizabeth, one of the daughters of Richard
Carr, of Butterthwaite-hall, in the parish of Ecclesfield.
He was born at Rotherham, in Yorkshire, Sept. 19, 1587,
and educated in the grammar-school there, where he made
so uncommon a progress in the languages, that, at thirteen,
he was sent to Lincoln college in Oxford. Soon after
taking his degree of B. A. his tutor told Dr. Kilbie, the
rector, that his “pupil Sanderson had a metaphysical
brain, and a matchless memory, and that he thought he
had improved or made the last so by an art of his own invention.
” While at college, he generally spent eleven
hours a day in study, chiefly of philosophy and the classics. In 1606 he was chosen fellow, and in July 1608,
completed his degree of M. A. In November of the same
year, he was elected logic reader, and re-elected in Nov.
1609. His lectures on this subject were published in 1615,
and ran through several editions. In 1613, 1614, and
1616, he served the office of sub-rector, and in the latter
of those years, that of proctor. In 1611, he was ordained
deacon and priest by Dr. King, bishop of London, and took
the degree of bachelor of divinity in 1617. In 1618, he
was presented by his cousin sir Nicolas Sanderson, lord
viscount Castleton, to the rectory of Wybberton, near
Boston, in Lincolnshire, but resigned it the year following
on account of the unhealthiness of its situation; and about
the same time was collated to the rectory of Boothby-Paniiell, or Paynel, in the same county, which he enjoyed
above forty years. Having now quitted his fellowship, he
married Anne, the daughter of Henry Nelson, B. D. rector of Haugham in the county of Lincoln; and soon after
was made a prebendary of Southwell, as he was also of
Lincoln in 1629. He continued to attend to his parochial
duties in a very exemplary manner, and particularly laboured much to reconcile differences, and prevent law-suits
both in his parish, and in the neighbourhood. He also
often visited sick and disconsolate families, giving advice
and often pecuniary assistance, or obtaining the latter by
applications to persons of opulence. He was often called
upon to preach at assizes and visitations; but his practice
of reading his sermons, as it was then not very common,
raised some prejudice against him. Walton observes, that
notwithstanding he had an extraordinary memory, he had
such an innate bashfulness and sense of fear, as to render
it of little use in the delivery of his sermons. It was remarked, when his sermons were printed in 1632, that “the
best sermons that were ever read, were never preached.
”
At the beginning of the reign of Charles I. he was chosen
one of the clerks in convocation for the diocese of Lincoln;
and Laud, then bishop of London, having recommended
him to that king as a man excellently skilled in casuistical
learning, he was appointed chaplain to his majesty in 1631.
When he became known to the king, his majesty put many
cases of conscience to him, and received from him solutions
which gave him so great satisfaction, that at the end of his
month’s attendance, which was in November, the king told
him, that “he should long for next November; for he resolved to have more inward acquaintance with him, when
the month and he returned.
” The king indeed was never
absent from his sermons, and used to say, that “he carried
his ears to hear other preachers, but his conscience to hear
Mr. Sanderson.
” In 1633 he obtained, through the earl
of Rutland’s interest, the rectory of Muston, in Leicestershire, which he held eight years. In Aug. 1636, when the
court was entertained at Oxford, he was,‘ among others,
created D. D. In 1642, he was proposed by both Houses
of parliament to king Charles, who was then at Oxford, to
be one of their trustees for the settling of church affairs,
and approved by the king: but that treaty came to nothing. The same year, his majesty appointed him regius
professor of divinity at Oxford, with the canonry of Christ
church annexed: but the national calamities hindered him
from entering on it till 1646, and then he did not hold it
undisturbed much more than a year. In 1643, he was nominated by the parliament one of the assembly of divines,
but never sat among them neither did he take the covenant
or engagement, so that his living was sequestered but, so
great was his reputation for piety and learning, that he was
not deprived of it. He had the’ chief hand in drawing up
“The Reasons of the university of Oxford against the solemn League and Covenant, the Negative Oath, and the
Ordinances concerning Discipline and Worship:
” and,
when the parliament had sent proposals to the king for a
peace in church and state, his majesty desired, that Dr.
Sanderson, with the doctors Hammond, Sheldon, and Morley, should attend him, and advise him how far he might
with a good conscience comply with those proposals. This
request was rejected by the presbyterian party; but, it being complied with afterwards by the independents, when
his majesty was at Hampton-court, and in the isle of Wight,
in 1647 and 1648, those divines attended him there. Dr.
Sanderson often preached before him, and had many public
and private conferences with him, to his majesty’s great
satisfaction. The king also desired him, at Hampton-court,
since the parliament had proposed the abolishing of episcopal government as inconsistent with monarchy, that he
would consider of it, and declare his judgment; and what
he wrote upon that subject was afterwards printed in 1661,
8vo, under this title, “Episcopacy, as established by law
in England, not prejudicial to Regal power.
” At Sanderson’s taking leave of his majesty in this his last attendance
on him, the king requested him to apply himself to the
writing of “Cases of Conscience;
” to which his answer
was, that “he was now grown old, and unfit to write cases
of conscience.
” But the king told him plainly, “it was
the simplest thing he ever heard from him; for, no young
man was fit to be a judge, or write cases of conscience.
”
Upon this occasion, Walton relates the following anecdote:
that in one of these conferences the king told Sanderson,
or one of them that then waited with him, that “the remembrance of two errors did much afflict him, which were,
his assent to the earl of Stafford’s death, and the abolishing of episcopacy in Scotland; and that, if God ever restored him to the peaceable possession of his crown, he
would demonstrate his repentance by a public confession
and a voluntary penance, by walking barefoot from the
Tower of London, or Whitehall, to St. Paul’s church, and
would desire the people to intercede with God for his pardon.
” In De juramenti obligatione,
” published the
preceding year, with great satisfaction; and asked Barlow,
afterwards bishop of Lincoln, if he thought Sanderson
could be induced to write cases of conscience, provided he
had an honorary pension allowed, to supply him with books
and an amanuensis But Sanderson told Barlow, “that, if
any future tract of his could bring any benefit to mankind,
he would readily set about it without a pension.
” Upon
this, Boyle sent the above present by the hands of Barlow;
and Sanderson presently revised, finished, and published,
his book “De obligatione conscientiae,
” which, as well as
, marquis of Halifax, a celebrated statesman, but of equivocal character, was descended from an ancient family in Yorkshire. He was the son
, marquis of Halifax, a celebrated statesman, but of equivocal character, was descended from an ancient family in Yorkshire. He was the son of sir William Savile, bart. and Anne, daughter of Thomas lord Coventry, lord keeper of the great seal. He was born, probably about 1630. Upon the death of his father, he succeeded to the title of baronet, and soon distinguished himself by his abilities in public affairs; and being zealous in bringing about the restoration, was created a peer, in consideration of his own and his father’s merits. In 1668 he was appointed of that remarkable committee, which sat at Brook-hall for the examination of the accounts of the money which had been given during the Dutch war, of which no member of the House of Commons was admitted. In April 1672 he was called to a seat in the privy council; and, June following, went over to Holland with the duke of Buckingham and the earl of Arlington, as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, to treat about a peace with France, when he met with great opposition from hi* colleagues.
, an eminent mathematician, mechanist, and astronomer, was descended from an ancient family at Little-Horton, near Bradford,
, an eminent mathematician, mechanist, and astronomer, was descended from an ancient family at Little-Horton, near Bradford, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, where he was born about 1651. He was at first apprenticed to a merchant at Manchester, but his inclination and genius being decidedly for mathematics, he obtained a release from his master, and removed to Liverpool, where be gave himself up wholly to the study of mathematics, astronomy, &c. and for a subsistence, opened a school, and taught writing and accounts, &c. Before he had been long at Liverpool, he accidentally met with a merchant or tradesman visiting that town from London, in whose house the astronomer Mr. Flamsteed then lodged; and such was Sharp’s enthusiasm for his favourite studies, that with the view of becoming acquainted with this emiment man, he engaged himself to the merchant as a bookkeeper. Having been thus introduced, he acquired the friendship of Mr. Flamsteed, who obtained for him a profitable employment in the dock-yard at Chatham. In this he continued till his friend and patron, knowing his great merit in astronomy and mechanics, called him to his assistance, in completing the astronomical apparatus in the royal observatory at Greenwich, which had been built about the year 1676.
, an eminent English antiquary, was descended from an ancient family of his name, which flourished
, an eminent English antiquary, was descended from an ancient family of his name, which flourished in the time of Henry III. at Bekington in Hampshire, and in the fifteenth century was settled in Norfolk, where our author’s great-grandfather was possessed of a considerable estate. This great-grandfather married the heiress of the Narborough family, by whom he had a son who became sir John Spelman, knt. of Narborough, and our author’s father, Henry, was the fourth son of sir John, and lived at Conghata near Lynn-regis in Norfolk. He married Frances, daughter of William Sanders of Ewell in Surrey, by whom he had our author, his eldest son, who was born in 1562, and educated at the school of Walsinghatn in the neighbourhood. In his fourteenth year, when according to his own modest account he was scarcely ripe for academical studies, he was entered of Trinity-college, Cambridge. Here he applied with great diligence for two years ana a half, but upon the death of his father, he was obliged to return home, and assist his mother, in managing the affairs of the family.
, esq. an admiral of distinguished bravery, was descended from an ancient family in Staffordshire, and born
, esq. an admiral of distinguished bravery, was descended from an ancient family in Staffordshire, and born at Westminster on the 12th of November, 1684. His father, who was secretary of state to king William and queen Mary, gave him a good education, but never intended him for the sea-service: but, as the youth became desirous of entering on that employment, his father at last consented, and he pursued those studies which had a relation to navigation and gunnery with surprising alacrity and success. His first expedition at sea was under admiral Hopson, when the French fleet and Spanish galleons were destroyed at Vigo. In 1702, he served in an expedition to the West Indies under commodore Walker; and, in 1704, on board the fleet commanded by sir George Rooke, which convoyed the king of Spain to Lisbon, when Mr. Vernon received a hundred guineas and a ring from that monarch’s own hand. He was also at the famous battle of Malaga, the same year. In January 1705, he was appointed commander of the Dolphin; and, in 1707, commanded the Royal Oak, one of the ships sent to convoy the Lisbon fleet, which falling in with the French, three of our men of war were taken, and a fourth blown up. In 1708, Mr. Vernon commanded the Jersey, and was sent to the W'est Indies as rear-admiral under sir Charles Wager, where he took many valuable prizes, and greatly interrupted the trade of the enemy. In 1715, he commanded the Assistance, a ship of fifty guns, under sir John Norris, in an expedition to the Baltic; and, in 1726, the Grafton of seventy guns, under sir Charles Wager, in the same seas. On the accession of his late majesty George II. in 1727, Mr. Vernon was chosen member for Penryn, in Cornwall, and soon after was sent, to Gibraltar, as commander of the Grafton, to join sir Charles Wager. The next expedition in which he was engaged was that which immortalized his name. This was in 1739: he was sleeping in his bed at Chatham when the courier arrived with the news at about two in the morning; and, being informed that dispatches of the utmost importance were arrived from London, he arose. On opening the packet, he found a commission appointing him vice-admiral of the blue, and commander in chief of a squadron fitting out for destroying the settlements of the Spaniards in the West Indies, with a letter from his majesty, requiring his immediate attendance on him. Having received his instructions, he weighed anchor from Spithead on the 23d of July; and, on the 20th of November, arrived in sight of Porto Bello, with only six ships under his command. The next day he began the attack of that town; when, after a furious engagement on both sides, it was taken on the 22nd, together with a considerable number of cannon, mortars, and ammunition, and also two Spanish men of war. He then blew up the fortifications, and left the place for want of land forces sufficient to keep it; but first distributed 10,000 dollars, which had been sent to Porto-Bello for paying the Spanish troops, among the forces for their encouragement. In 1741, he made an unsuccessful attempt upon Carthagena in conjunction with general Wentworth. After his return home, the rebellion in 1745 breaking out, he was employed in guarding the coasts of Kent and Sussex; when he stationed a squadron of men of war in so happy a manner as to block up the French ports in the channel. But, soon after, complaints being made against him for superseding the orders of the lords of the admiralty, in appointing a gunner in opposition to one recommended by themselves, and for exacting too severe duty from his men, he was struck off the list of admirals; on which he retired from all public business, except attending the House of Commons as member for Ipswich in Suffolk. He died suddenly at his seat at Nacton in Suffolk, on the 29th of October, 1757, in the seventythird year of his age.
, Lucasian professor of mathematics in the university of Cambridge, was descended from an ancient family at Mitton, in the parish of
, Lucasian professor of mathematics in the university of Cambridge, was descended from
an ancient family at Mitton, in the parish of Fittes, Shropshire, being the eldest son of John Waring of that place.
He was born in 1734, and after being educated at the
free school at Shrewsbury, under Mr. Kotchkis, was sent
on one of Millington’s exhibitions to Magdalen college,
Cambridge, where he applied himself with such assiduity
to the study of mathematics, that in 1757, when he proceeded bachelor of arts, he was the senior wrangler, or
most distinguished graduate of the year. This honour, for
the securing of which he probably postponed his first degree to the late period of his twenty-third year, led to his
election, only two years afterwards, to the office of Lucasian professor. The appointment of a young man, scarcely
twenty-five years of age, and still only a bachelor of arts,
to a chair which had been honoured by the names of Newton, Saunderson, and Barrow, gave great offence to the
senior members of the university, by whom the talents and
pretensions of the new professor were severely arraigned.
The first chapter of his “Miscellanea Analytica,
” which
Mr. Waring circulated in vindication of his scientific character, gave rise to a controversy of some duration. Dr.
Powell, master of St. John’s, commenced the attack by a
pamphlet of “Observations
” upon this specimen of the
professor’s qualifications for his office. Wariug was defended in a very able reply, for which he was indebted to
Mr. Wilson, then an under-graduate of Peter House, afterwards sir John Wilson, a judge of the common pleas, and
a magistrate justly beloved and revered for his amiable
temper, learning, honesty, and independent spirit. In
1760, Dr. Powell wrote a defence of his “Observations,
”
and here the controversy ended. Mr. Waring’s deficiency
of academical honours was supplied in the same year by
the degree of M. A. conferred upon him by royal mandate,
and he remained in the undisturbed possession of his office.
Two years afterwards, his work, a part of which had excited so warm a dispute, was published from the university
press, in quarto, under the title of “Miscellanea Analytica
de Æquationibus Algebraicis et Curvarum Proprietatibus,
”
with a dedication to the duke of Newcastle. It appears
from the title-page, that Waring was by this time elected
a fellow of his college. The book itself, so intricate and
abstruse are its subjects, is understood to have been little
studied even by expert mathematicians. Indeed, speaking
of this and his other works, in a subsequent publication, he
says himself, “I never could hear of any reader in England out of Cambridge, who took the pains to read and
understand what I have written.
”
t of the United States of America, was born Feb. 11, 1732, in the parish of Washington, Virginia. He was descended from an ancient family in Cheshire, of which a branch
, commander in chief of the armies, and first president of the United States of America, was born Feb. 11, 1732, in the parish of Washington, Virginia. He was descended from an ancient family in Cheshire, of which a branch had been established in Virginia about the middle of the seventeenth century. No remarkable circumstances have transpired of his education or his early youth; and we should not indeed expect any marks of that disorderly prematureness of talent, which is so often fallacious, in a character whose distinguishing praise was to be regular and natural. His classical instruction was probably small, such as the private tutor of a Virginian country gentleman could at that period have imparted; and if his opportunities of information had been more favourable, the time was too short to profit by them. Before he was twenty he was appointed a major in the Colonial militia, and he had very early occasion to display those political and military talents, of which the exertions on a greater theatre have since made his name so famous throughout the world.
, a loyal astrologer of the seventeenth century, was descended from an ancient family in Westmoreland, and born at
, a loyal astrologer of the seventeenth century, was descended from an ancient family in Westmoreland, and born at Kirby-Kendal in that county April 4, 1617. He passed some time at the university of Oxford, but was more studious of mathematics and astronomy than of any other academical pursuits. After this, having some private fortune, he retired from the university, until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he converted his property into money, and raised a troop of horse for his majesty, of which he became captain. After other engagements, he was finally routed at Stow-on-the-Would in Gloucestershire, March 21, 1645, where sir Jacob Astley was taken prisoner, and Wharton received several wounds, the marks of which he carried to his grave. He then joined the king at Oxford, and had an office conferred upon him in the ordnance, but after the decline of the royal cause, he came to London and gained a livelihood by his writings, chiefly by that profitable article, the composing of almanacks, with predictions. In some of his productions he gave offence by his loyal hints and witticisms, and was several times imprisoned, particularly in Windsor-castle, where he found his brother conjuror William Lilly. Lilly showed him much kindness, which Wharton repaid afterwards by saving him from prosecution as a republican prophet. Upon the restoration, Whartori*s loyalty was rewarded by the place of treasurer and paymaster of the ordnance, and he was also created a baronet. He died Aug. 12, 1681. He wrote, besides his Almanacks, Mercuries, astronomical pieces, and chronologies of the events of his time. His works were collected and published by Gadbury in 1683, 8vo.