KING, Dr William

KING, Dr William, principal of St Mary's hall, Oxford, son of the reverend Peregrine King, was born

King. at Stepney in Middlesex, in the year 1685. He was made doctor of laws in 1715, was secretary to the duke of Ormond, and earl of Arran, as chancellors of the university; and was made principal of St Mary's hall on the death of Dr Hudson in 1719. When he stood candidate for member of parliament for the university, he resigned his office of secretary, but enjoyed his other preferment, and it was all he did enjoy to the time of his death. Dr Clark, who opposed him, carried the election; and after this disappointment, he, in the year 1727, went over to Ireland, where he is said to have written an epic poem, called The Toast, which was a political satire, printed and given away to his friends, but never sold. On the dedication of Dr Radcliff's library in 1749, he spoke a Latin oration in the theatre of Oxford, which was received with the highest acclamations; but it was otherwise when printed, for he was attacked in several pamphlets on account of it. Again, at the memorable contested election in Oxfordshire 1755, his attachment to the old interest drew on him the resentment of the new, and he was libelled in newspapers and pamphlets, against which he defended himself in an Apology, and warmly retaliated on his adversaries. He wrote several other things, and died in 1762. He was a polite scholar, an excellent orator, an elegant and easy writer, and esteemed by the first men of his time for his learning and wit.