John Watkins (writer)
Encyclopedia
John Watkins was an English miscellaneous writer, known as a biographer.
, he was educated at Bristol
for the nonconformist ministry. Becoming dissatisfied, he conformed to the Church of England
around 1786, with his friend Samuel Badcock
, and for some years kept an academy in Devon. Watkins moved to London soon after beginning to write, probably about 1794. His latest preface is dated 30 May 1831.
,’ 1792. Chapter x. consists of the depositions in a trial for witchcraft
held at Exeter
on 14 August 1682. The work was reprinted and published at Bideford in 1883. In 1796 appeared ‘The Peeper: a collection of Essays, Moral, Biographical, and Literary’ (London, 1796; 2nd edit. London, 1811), dedicated to Hannah More
. These were followed by a number of publications, some anonymous and some under his name. The most important of them was perhaps his ‘Universal Biographical and Historical Dictionary,’ which appeared in 1800, London. It went through several editions, the last in, and was translated into French, with additions, in 1803 by Jean Baptiste L'Écuy.
He also was the author of:
He also translated from the Latin George Buchanan
's ‘History of Scotland,’ with a continuation, London, 1827, and wrote a memoir of Hugh Latimer
, prefixed to his ‘Sermons,’ London, 1824.
Life
Born in DevonDevon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, he was educated at Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
for the nonconformist ministry. Becoming dissatisfied, he conformed to the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
around 1786, with his friend Samuel Badcock
Samuel Badcock
Samuel Badcock was an English nonconformist minister, theological writer and literary critic.-Life:He was born at South Molton, Devon on 23 February 1747. His parents were dissenters, and he was educated in a school at Ottery St. Mary, for the sons of those opposed to the Church of England...
, and for some years kept an academy in Devon. Watkins moved to London soon after beginning to write, probably about 1794. His latest preface is dated 30 May 1831.
Works
His first independent publication appeared in 1792, entitled ‘An Essay towards the History of BidefordBideford
Bideford is a small port town on the estuary of the River Torridge in north Devon, south-west England. It is also the main town of the Torridge local government district.-History:...
,’ 1792. Chapter x. consists of the depositions in a trial for witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
held at Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
on 14 August 1682. The work was reprinted and published at Bideford in 1883. In 1796 appeared ‘The Peeper: a collection of Essays, Moral, Biographical, and Literary’ (London, 1796; 2nd edit. London, 1811), dedicated to Hannah More
Hannah More
Hannah More was an English religious writer, and philanthropist. She can be said to have made three reputations in the course of her long life: as a poet and playwright in the circle of Johnson, Reynolds and Garrick, as a writer on moral and religious subjects, and as a practical...
. These were followed by a number of publications, some anonymous and some under his name. The most important of them was perhaps his ‘Universal Biographical and Historical Dictionary,’ which appeared in 1800, London. It went through several editions, the last in, and was translated into French, with additions, in 1803 by Jean Baptiste L'Écuy.
He also was the author of:
- ‘A Letter to Earl Stanhope, in which … the Conduct of Great Britain and her Allies is Vindicated,’ 1794.
- ‘A Word of Admonition to Gilbert WakefieldGilbert WakefieldGilbert Wakefield was an English scholar and controversialist.Gilbert Wakefield was the third son of the Rev. George Wakefield, then rector of St Nicholas' Church, Nottingham but afterwards at Kingston-upon-Thames. He was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. as second...
, occasioned by his Letter to William WilberforceWilliam WilberforceWilliam Wilberforce was a British politician, a philanthropist and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire...
,’ 1797. - ‘Scripture Biography,’ 1801; several editions, latest 1830.
- ‘Characteristic Anecdotes of Men of Learning and Genius,’ London, 1808.
- ‘History of our Lord Jesus Christ Harmonised,’ 1810.
- ‘Boydell's Heads of Illustrious and Celebrated Persons, with Memoirs,’ London, 1811.
- ‘The Family Instructor,’ 1814, 3 vols.
- ‘The Important Results of an Elaborate Investigation into the Case of Elizabeth FenningElizabeth FenningElizabeth Fenning was an English criminal whose conviction for attempted murder became a cause célèbre.-Background:Fenning was the daughter of poor parents, was from the age of fourteen employed in various situations as a domestic servant...
,’ London, 1815. - ‘Memoirs of Sheridan,’ London, 1816; 3rd edit. 1818. This was the first life of Richard Brinsley SheridanRichard Brinsley SheridanRichard Brinsley Butler Sheridan was an Irish-born playwright and poet and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. For thirty-two years he was also a Whig Member of the British House of Commons for Stafford , Westminster and Ilchester...
to appear. It seems to have been put together immediately after his death. It was in two volumes, and professed to describe Sheridan's private as well as his public life. Croker censured it in an article in the Quarterly ReviewQuarterly ReviewThe Quarterly Review was a literary and political periodical founded in March 1809 by the well known London publishing house John Murray. It ceased publication in 1967.-Early years:...
. - ‘Memoirs of Queen Sophia Charlotte,’ London, 1819.
- ‘Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Lord Byron,’ London, 1822; German translation, Leipzig, 1825.
- ‘A Biographical Memoir of … Frederick, Duke of York and Albany,’ London, 1827.
- ‘The Life and Times of “England's Patriot King,” William IV,’ London, 1831.
He also translated from the Latin George Buchanan
George Buchanan
George Buchanan may refer to:*George Buchanan , Scottish humanist*Sir George Buchanan , Scottish soldier during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms*Sir George Buchanan , Chief Medical Officer...
's ‘History of Scotland,’ with a continuation, London, 1827, and wrote a memoir of Hugh Latimer
Hugh Latimer
Hugh Latimer was a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, Bishop of Worcester before the Reformation, and later Church of England chaplain to King Edward VI. In 1555, under Queen Mary, he was burnt at the stake, becoming one of the three Oxford Martyrs of Anglicanism.-Life:Latimer was born into a...
, prefixed to his ‘Sermons,’ London, 1824.