Dr John, was born in 1665, and educated at a country school, where he learned the Latin and Greek languages, and was afterwards sent to London, where he is said to have been put apprentice to a linen-draper. He was not long in that station, till he became acquainted with Dr Peter Barwick, an eminent physician, who took him under his tuition and into his family. Here he prosecuted with great vigour and success the study of philosophy, anatomy, and physic. In 1692, Dr Skillingsfleet quitting the place of professor of physic in Graham college, our author was chosen to succeed him, and the year following was elected F.R.S. In 1695 he obtained the degree of M.D. by patent from Archbishop Tenison; and the same year he published his Essay towards a Natural History of the Earth. He afterwards wrote many other pieces, which have been well received by the learned world. He founded a lecture in the university of Cambridge, to be read there upon his Essay, &c. and handsomely endowed it. He died in 1728.