(Thomas), a learned English writer of the 17th century, born at Bordesley in Worcestershire. He had not the advantage of an university education; but, by strength of genius and great application, made a considerable progress in literature. Upon the breaking out of the popish plot in the reign of king Charles II., being much alarmed on account of his being a zealous Roman-catholic, he contracted a palsy; and died in December 1679, aged 61. He wrote, 1. The academy of eloquence, containing a complete English rhetoric. 2. Glotographica, or a dictionary interpreting such hard words, whether Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Italian, &c. that are now used in our refined English tongue, &c. 3. Bofofus; or the history of his majesty's escape after the battle of Worcester. 4. A law dictionary. 5. Animadversions upon Sir Richard Baker's chronicle. 6. Fragmenta Antiquitatis; and other works.

(Sir Henry), an English writer, born at his father's seat in Hertfordshire in 1602. After a regular education, he set out on his travels in 1634; and getting acquainted with a janizary at Venice, he accompanied him into the Turkish dominions; having been abroad two years, he returned and published a relation of his travels in the Levant, which went thro' several editions. He was knighted by Charles I. and was at the battle of Edge-hill, at which time he is supposed to have had the charge of the young princes; but, after the king's death, was employed by the parliament, and by Cromwell. Yet after the restoration of the royal family he was appointed high sheriff of the county of Hertford, and from that time lived as a private gentleman above 20 years. He published, 1. An account of his travels. 2. Six comedies written by John Lilly, under the title of Court Comedies. 3. The exchange walk, a satire; and 4. An epistle in praise of tobacco. He died October 9th, 1682.

(Sir Thomas Pope), baronet, an eminent writer, and the eldest son of the former, was born at Upper Holloway, in the county of Middlesex, September 12th, 1649. He was educated under the eye of his father; and always distinguished himself as a lover of liberty, a sincere friend to his country, and a true patron of learning. He was advanced to the degree of baronet by king Charles II., in whose reign he was elected burgess for St Albans in two parliaments, and was knight of the shire in three parliaments after the Revolution. He wrote in Latin, 1. A critique on the most celebrated writers. 2. Essays on several subjects. 3. A natural history, extracted out of the best modern writers; and, 4. Remarks upon poetry, with characters and censures of the most considerable poets, whether ancient or modern. He died June 30th, 1697.

(Charles), younger brother of Sir Thomas Pope Blount, had also an excellent capacity, and was an eminent writer. His Anima Mundi, or An historical narration of the opinions of the ancients, concerning man's soul after this life, according to unenlightened nature, gave great offence, and was complained of to the bishop of London. But the work which rendered him most known, was his translation of Philostratus's Life of Apollonius Tyaneus, published in 1680; which was soon suppressed, as an attack on revealed religion. Another work of the same complexion he published the same year, called Great is Diana of the Ephesian, &c., in which, under colour of exposing superstition, he struck at revelation. In 1684, he printed a kind of Introduction to Polite Literature. In the warmth of his zeal for the Revolution, he wrote a pamphlet to prove king William and queen Mary conquerors; which was condemned to be burnt by both houses of parliament. The close of his life was very unhappy. For, after the death of his wife, he became enamoured of her sister, who was only scrupulous against their union on account of their prior connection by the marriage; on which he wrote a letter on the subject, as the case of a third person, with great learning and address. But the archbishop of Canterbury and other divines deciding against him, and the lady on this growing inflexible, it threw him into a frenzy in which he shot himself, in 1693. After his death, his miscellaneous pieces were collected and published.