BURMAN, Francis, a celebrated theologian and sacred poet of Holland, was born at Utrecht in 1671. He studied in his native city under Gravius, and afterwards removed to Leyden, where he made great attainments in mathematics and philosophy. In 1698 he became pastor of Coodom in Friesland, and four years later accompanied the Dutch embassy sent to London to congratulate Queen Anne on her accession to the English throne. On his return to Holland he accepted an invitation to become pastor of Euckhuysen—where he remained for two years. At the end of that period he removed to Amsterdam and resided there for ten years, teaching and preaching with much success. In 1714 he was elected to a theological chair at Utrecht, where he died after a short illness in 1719. Of his numerous works, we may specify his Burmannorum pietas, in which he vindicates the memory of his father from the charge of Spinozism alleged against him by Philip Limbourg of Amsterdam; and his Theologus, Utrecht, 1715.]