Walliss John (1), Dd, Frs

Walliss John (1), D.D., F.R.S.

an eminent English divine and mathematician, was born at Ashford, Kent, Nov. 23, 1016, and was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he graduated about 1636. He took orders in the Church of England in 1640, and was chaplain to sir Richard Darley and to lady Vere. Being an expert in discovering the keys to MSS. written in cipher, he was employed in this capacity by the Long Parliament. He afterwards obtained the living of St. Gabriel, London, but exchanged it for St. Martin's in 1643; became Savilian professor of geometry at Oxford in 1648; 4keeper of the archive's there in 1658; and was confirmed in these offices at the Restoration in 1660. He was a member of the Royal Society in 1662. He had a controversy with Hobbes, who pretended to have discovered the quadrature of the circle, which lasted from 1655 till 1663. He died at Oxford, Oct. 28, 1703. Besides-publishing numerous scientific and mathematical works, he was one of the revisers of the Book of Common Prayer (1661); edited the posthumous works of Jeremiah Horrox (1673); maintained theological controversies with the Arians, Baptists, and Sabbatarians; published Theological Discourses (1692); and left the MSS. of a number of sermons, which were published for the first time in 1791. See his Memoir, by Rev. C. E. de Coetlogon, printed with the Sermons.