Knox, Vicesimus, Dd

Knox, Vicesimus, D.D., a distinguished English writer and divine, born at Newington Green, Middlesex, Dec. 8, 1752, was a son of the Rev. Vicesimus Knox, LLB., fellow of St. John's College, Oxford, and head master of Merchant Taylors' School, London. Young Vicesinmus Knox was also educated at St. John's College, Oxford, and in 1778 was elected master of Tunbridge 'School, Kent, where he remained some thirty-three years, and was then succeeded by his eldest son. He was also rector of Rumwell and Ramsden Crays, in Essex, and minister of the chapelry of Shipbourne, in Kent. In the latter part of his life he resided in London. He was much admired as a preacher, and frequently gave his aid in behalf of public charities by delivering a sermon. He died while on a visit to his son at Tunbridge, Sept. 6, 1821. Dr, Knox's chief theological works were:

1. Essays, Moral and Literary (Lond. 1777, 12mo, anonymously; republished in 1778, with additional essays, in 2 vols. 12mo: many additions have been since published): —

2. Liberal Education, or a practical Treatise on the Methods of acquiring useful and polite Learning (1781, 8vo; enlarged in 1785 to 2 vols. 8vo): this work was chiefly intended to point out the defects of the system of education in the English universities, and is said to have had some effect in producing a reformation: —

3. Sermons intended to promote Faith, Hope, and Charity (1792, 8vo):-

4. Christian Philosophy, or an Attempt to display the Evidence and Excellence of Revealed Religion (1795, 2 vols. 12mo):

5. Considerations on the Nature land Efficacy of the Lord's Supper (1799, 12mo). He also published occasional sermons and pamphlets. Dr. Knox's writings were once much esteemed. His style has considerable neatness and elegance, but he has little originality or power of thought, and his popularity has for some years been gradually decreasing. They have been reprinted under the style Works (Lond. 1824, 7 vols. 8vo). — Egl. Cyclop. s.v.; Allibone, Dict. of English and American Authors, vol. ii, s.v.