North, John

North, John D.D., a learned English divine, son of baron Dudley North, was born- in London Sept. 4,1645. Destined for an ecclesiastical life, he was educated at Cambridge University, and there took all his degrees. He then taught Greek in his alma mater, and in 1677 succeeded the famous Isaac Barrow as principal of Trinity College. During the exercise of these duties he continued the collection of the fine library begun by his predecessor. He died in Cambridge in April, 1683. Dr. North was noted for his scholarship, especially a profound acquaintance with the philosophy of Plato; he published a valuable edition of certain writings of that philosopher (Cambridge, 1673, 8vo), and assisted on the Fragumenta Pythagorica of Gale. "North was a high Tory, an advocate of absolute monarchy, a severe disciplinarian, and an austere man in his personal habits. Although his opinions accorded with those prevalent in the university, his conduct as head of a college made him unpopular" (Stoughton, Eccles. Hist. of England, 2:252). See Roger North, Lives of F. North. Dudley North, and Rev. John North (Lond. 1740, 1742, 3 vols. 8vo); Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v. (J. H. W.)