LOWTH, Dr WILLIAM, a learned and pious divine, born at London in 1661, was the son of an apothecary, and took his degrees at Oxford. His eminent worth and learning recommended him to Dr Mew, bishop of Winchester,
Lowth, who made him his chaplain, gave him two livings in Hampshire, and conferred upon him a prebend in the cathedral of Winchester. Although he had acquired an unusual share of critical learning, the labours of Mr Lowth were strictly confined within the limits of his own province, and he applied solely to the peculiar duties of his function; yet, in order that he might acquit himself the better in theology, he pursued his studies with a more general and extensive view. Few were more deeply versed in critical learning, there being scarcely any ancient author, Greek or Latin, profane or ecclesiastical, which he had not read with accuracy, constantly accompanying his reading with critical and philological remarks. Of his collections in this way he was upon all occasions very communicative. Hence his notes on Clemens Alexandrinus, which are to be met with in Potter's edition of that father; and his remarks on Josephus, communicated to Hudson for his edition, and acknowledged in the preface; as also those larger and more numerous annotations upon the Ecclesiastical Historians, inserted in Reading's edition of them at Cambridge. The author of the Bibliotheca Biblica was indebted to him for the same kind of assistance. Chandler, bishop of Durham, whilst engaged in his Defence of Christianity, from the Prophecies of the Old Testament, against the Discourse of the Grounds and Reasons of the Christian Religion, and in his Vindication of the Defence, in answer to the Scheme of Literal Prophecy considered, held a constant correspondence with Lowth, and consulted him upon many difficulties which occurred in the course of that work. But the most valuable part of his character was that which least appeared in the eyes of the world; the private and retired part, that of the good Christian and the useful parish priest. His piety, his diligence, his hospitality and beneficence, rendered his life highly exemplary, and greatly enforced his public exhortations. He married Margaret, daughter of Mr Robert Pitt, of Blandford, by whom he had two sons and three daughters; and died in 1732, when, by his own orders, he was buried in the churchyard of Buriton. He published, 1. A Vindication of the Divine Authority and Inspiration of the Old and New Testaments; 2. Directions for the profitable reading of the Holy Scriptures; 3. Commentaries on the Prophets; and some other works.