BLOUNT (Thomas), a learned English writer of No 48.
the 17th century, born at Bordesley in Worcestershire. He had not the advantage of an university education; but, by strength of genius and great application, made a considerable progress in literature. Upon the breaking out of the popish plot in the reign of king Charles II. being much alarmed on account of his being a zealous Roman-catholic, he contracted a palsy; and died in December 1679, aged 61. He wrote, 1. The academy of eloquence, containing a complete English rhetoric. 2. Glossographica, or a dictionary interpreting such hard words, whether Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Italian, &c. that are now used in our refined English tongue, &c. 3. Boscobel; or the history of his majesty's escape after the battle of Worcester. 4. A law dictionary. 5. Animadversions upon Sir Richard Baker's chronicle. 6. Fragmenta Antiquitatis; and other works.