MEURSIUS (John), a learned and laborious writer, born at Lisdun, near the Hague, in 1579. He early discovered a fondness for polite literature and the sciences; and went to study the law at Orleans with the son of Barneveldt, whom he accompanied in his travels. In 1610 he was made professor of history at Leyden, and afterwards Greek professor. His reputation daily increasing, Christian IV. king of Denmark made him professor of history and politics, in the university of Sora. Meursius filled that chair with universal applause; and died in 1641, aged 62. He wrote many learned works, several of which relate to the ancient state of Greece; as, 1. De populis Attica. 2. Atticarum lectionum libri vi. 3. Archontes Athenienses. 4. Fortuna Attica. 5. De Athenarum origine. 6. De festis Græcorum, &c. John Meursius, his son, was also the author of several works. It seems almost needless to observe, that the scandalous obscene Latin work, intitled Meursius, is not either of our author or his son; but, as is said, the notable production of one John Westranus, a lawyer at the Hague.