CAMPBELL, John, an eminent historical, biographical, and political writer, was born at Edinburgh, March 8. 1707-8. His father, Robert Campbell of Glenlyon, Esq. was captain of horse in a regiment commanded by the then earl of Hyndford; and his mother, Elizabeth, daughter of — Smith, Esq. of Windsor in Berkshire, had the honour of claiming a descent from the poet Waller. Our author, their fourth son, was at the age of five years carried from Scotland to Windsor, where he received the first principles of his education; and at a proper age, he was placed out as clerk to an attorney, being intended for the law. This profession, however, he never followed; but by a close application to the acquisition of knowledge of various kinds, became qualified to appear with great advantage in the literary world. In 1736, before he had completed his 30th year, he gave to the public, in two volumes folio, "The Military History of Prince Eugene and the duke of Marlborough," enriched with maps, plans, and cuts. The reputation hence acquired, occasioned him soon after to be solicited to take a part in the "Ancient Universal History." Whilst employed in this capital work, Mr Campbell found leisure to entertain the world with other productions. In 1739, he published the "Travels and Adventures of Edward Brown, Esq." 8vo. In the same year appeared his "Memoirs of the Bathaw Duke de Ripperda," 8vo, reprinted, with improvements, in 1740. These memoirs were followed,
Campbell followed, in 1741, by the "Concise History of Spanish America," 8vo. In 1742, he was the author of "A Letter to a friend in the Country, on the Publication of Thurlow's State Papers; giving an account of their discovery, importance, and utility. The same year was distinguished by the appearance of the 1st and 2d volumes of his "Lives of the English Admirals, and other eminent British Seamen." The two remaining volumes were completed in 1744; and the whole, not long after, was translated into German. This was the first of Mr Campbell's works to which he prefixed his name; and it is a performance of great and acknowledged merit. In 1743, he published "Hermippus revived;" a second edition of which, much improved and enlarged, came out in 1749, under the following title: "Hermippus Redivivus: or, the Sage's Triumph over Old Age and the Grave. Wherein a method is laid down for prolonging the life and vigour of man. Including a Commentary upon an ancient Inscription, in which this great secret is revealed; supported by numerous authorities. The whole interspersed with a great variety of remarkable and well-attested relations." This extraordinary tract had its origin in a foreign publication; but it was wrought up to perfection by the additional ingenuity and learning of Mr Campbell. In 1744 he gave to the public, in two volumes folio, his "Voyages and Travels," on Dr Harris's plan, being a very distinguished improvement of that collection which had appeared in 1705. The time and care employed by Mr Campbell in this important undertaking did not prevent his engaging in another great work, the "Biographia Britannica," which began to be published in weekly numbers in 1745, and extended to seven volumes folio: but our author's articles were only in the first four volumes; of which Dr Kippis observes, they constitute the prime merit.
When the late Mr Dodley formed the design of "The Preceptor," which appeared in 1748, Mr Campbell was to assist in the undertaking; and the parts written by him were the Introduction to Chronology, and the discourse on Trade and Commerce, both of which displayed an extensive fund of knowledge upon these subjects. In 1750 he published the first separate edition of his "Present State of Europe;" a work which had been originally begun in 1746, in the "Museum," a very valuable periodical performance, printed for Dodley. There is no production of our author's that hath met with a better reception. It has gone through six editions, and fully deserved this encouragement. The next great undertaking which called for the exertion of our author's abilities and learning, was "The Modern Universal History." This extensive work was published, from time to time, in detached parts, till it amounted to 16 volumes folio; and a second edition of it, in 8vo, began to make its appearance in 1759. The parts of it written by Mr Campbell were, the histories of the Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, French, Swedish, Danish, and Ostend Settlements in the East-Indies; and the Histories of the Kingdoms of Spain, Portugal, Algarve, Navarre, and that of France, from Clovis to 1666. As our author had thus distinguished himself in the literary world, the degree of LL. D. was very properly and honourably
conferred upon him, June 18. 1754, by the university Campbell of Glasgow.
His principal and favourite work was, "A Political Survey of Great Britain," 2 vol. 4to, published a short time before his death; in which the extent of his knowledge, and his patriotic spirit, are equally conspicuous. Dr Campbell's reputation was not confined to his own country, but extended to the remotest parts of Europe. As a striking instance of this, it may be mentioned, that in the spring of 1774, the empress of Russia was pleased to honour him with the present of her picture, drawn in the robes worn in that country in the days of John Basilowitz, grand duke of Muscovy, who was contemporary with Queen Elizabeth. To manifest the doctor's sense of her imperial majesty's goodness, a set of the "Political Survey of Britain," bound in Morocco, highly ornamented, and accompanied with a letter descriptive of the triumphs and felicities of her reign, was forwarded to St Petersburg, and conveyed into her hands by Prince Orloff, who had resided some months in this kingdom.
Dr Campbell in 1736 married Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Vobe, of Lecominster, in the county of Hereford, gentleman, with whom he lived nearly 40 years in the greatest conjugal harmony and happiness. So wholly did he dedicate his time to books, that he seldom went abroad: but to relieve himself as much as possible from the inconveniences incident to a sedentary life, it was his custom, when the weather would admit, to walk in his garden; or otherwise in some room of his house, by way of exercise. By this method, united with the strictest temperance in eating, and an equal abstemiousness in drinking, he enjoyed a good state of health, though his constitution was delicate. His domestic manner of living did not preclude him from a very extensive and honourable acquaintance. His house, especially on a Sunday evening, was the resort of the most distinguished persons of all ranks, and particularly of such as had rendered themselves eminent by their knowledge or love of literature. He received foreigners, who were fond of learning, with an affability and kindness which excited in them the highest respect and veneration; and his instructive and cheerful conversation made him the delight of his friends in general. He was, during the latter part of his life, agent for the province of Georgia in North America; and died at the close of the year 1775, in the 67th year of his age. The doctor's literary knowledge was by no means confined to the subjects on which he more particularly treated as an author; he was well acquainted with the mathematics, and had read much in medicine. It hath been with great reason believed, that if he had dedicated his studies to this last science, he would have made a very conspicuous figure in the medical profession. He was eminently versed in the different parts of sacred literature; and his acquaintance with the languages extended not only to the Hebrew, Greek and Latin among the ancient, and to the French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch, among the modern; but likewise to the Oriental tongues. He was particularly fond of the Greek language. His attainment of such a variety of knowledge was exceedingly assisted by a memory surprisingly retentive, and which indeed as-
Campbell: nished every person with whom he was conversant. In communicating his ideas, he had an uncommon readiness and facility; and the style of his works, which had been formed upon the model of that of the celebrated Bishop Sprat, was perspicuous, easy, flowing, and harmonious. To all these accomplishments of the understanding, Dr Campbell joined the more important virtues of a moral and pious character. His disposition was gentle and humane, and his manners kind and obliging. He was the tenderest of husbands, a most indulgent parent, a kind master, a firm and sincere friend. To his great Creator he paid the constant and ardent tribute of devotion, duty, and reverence; and in his correspondences he showed that a sense of piety was always nearest his heart.