(John), an English poet, son of the rector of Luton in Bedfordshire, was born in 1667, and educated at Cambridge; after which he took orders, and was presented to the living of Malden in Bedfordshire. About 1703 he went to London for instruction in a larger and very considerable living; but was foppish some time by Compton, then bishop of London, on account of these four lines of his poem, entitled the Choice:

"And as I near approach'd the verge of life, Some kind relation (for I'd have no wife) Should take upon him all my worldly care, While I did for a better state prepare."

The parentheses in these lines were so maliciously represented, that the good bishop was made to believe that Pomfret preferred a mifress to a wife. But he was soon convinced that this representation was the mere effect of malice, as Pomfret at that time was actually married. The opposition, however, which his slanderers had made to him had its effect; for, being by this obliged to stay in London longer than he intended, he caught the smallpox, and died of it, aged 35.

He published a volume of his poems in 1699, with a very modest and sensible preface. Two pieces of his were published after his death by his friend Philalethes; one intitled Reaon, and written in 1700, when the disputes about the Trinity ran high; the other Dies Novissima, or the "Last Epiphany," a Pindaric ode.

His versification is not unnatural; but there is not the force in his writings which is necessary to constitute a poet. A dissenting teacher of his name, and who published some rhymes upon spiritual subjects, occasioned fanaticism to be imputed to him; but his friend Philalethes has justly cleared him from the imputation. Pomfret had a very strong mixture of devotion in him, but no fanaticism.

"The Choice (says Dr Johnson) exhibits a system of life adapted to common notions, and equal to common expectations; such a state as affords plenty and tranquillity, without exclusion of intellectual pleasures. Perhaps no composition in our language has been often read than Pomfret's Choice. In his other poems there is an easy volubility; the pleasure of smooth metre is afforded to the ear, and the mind is not oppressed with ponderous, or entangled with intricate, sentiment. He pleases many; and he who pleases many must have merit."