BLAIR, John, an eminent Scottish chronologist, was born and educated at Edinburgh, and afterwards went to London, where he became usher at a school. In 1754 he presented to the world his valuable work, The Chronology and History of the World, from the Creation to the year of Christ 1753. This volume was published by subscription, and dedicated to Lord Chancellor Hardwicke. In 1755 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society, and in 1761 of the Society of Antiquaries. In 1756 he published a second edition of his Chronological Tables; and in the following year he was appointed chaplain to the princess dowager of Wales, and mathematical tutor to the Duke of York. His services were rewarded with a prebend's stall in Westminster, and other preferments. In 1763 he attended his royal pupil on a Continental tour, when he visited Lisbon, Gibraltar, Minorca, Italy, and France; and on his return he published an improved edition of his Chronology, which he dedicated to the Princess of Wales. The fate of his brother Captain Blair, who fell in the memorable sea-fight in which Admiral Rodney defeated and took prisoner the French commander Count de Grasse, on the 12th April 1782, is believed to have accelerated his own death, which took place on the 24th of June in the same year.