JOHN, an eminent philosopher and divine, the son of Walter Wilkins, a goldsmith of Oxford, was born in 1614, at Fawley, near Daventry in Northamptonshire, in the house of his maternal grandfather, John Dod, a non-conformist. After being trained in a private school at Oxford, he was entered of New Inn Hall in 1627, but was not long afterwards removed to Magdalen Hall, where he took his degrees in arts. On receiving holy orders, he became chaplain to Lord Say, and afterwards to Charles Count Palatine of the Rhine. To the favour of this prince his knowledge of mathematics was a strong recommendation. At the age of twenty-four he published "The Discovery of a New World; or, a Discourse tending to prove that 'tis probable there may be another habitable World in the Moon: with a Discourse concerning the Possibility of a Passage thither." Lond. 1638, 8vo. This was followed by "A Discourse concerning a New Planet; tending to prove that it is probable our Earth is one of the Planets." Lond. 1640, 8vo. Both these works appeared without his name. He next produced "Mercury; or, the secret and swift Messenger; shewing how a man may with privacy and speed communicate his thoughts to a friend at any distance." Lond. 1644, 8vo. Another of his works bears the title of "Mathematical Magick; or, the Wonders that may be performed by Mechanical Geometry." Lond. 1648, 8vo. These four tracts were long afterwards reprinted in a collection of his Mathematical and Philosophical Works. Lond. 1708, 8vo. Lond. 1802, 2 vols. 8vo. The earliest of his theological works was his "Ecclesiastes; or, a Discourse of the Gift of Preaching, as it falls under the Rules of Art." Lond. 1646, 8vo. The ninth edition was printed in 1718. This publication was succeeded in 1649 by "A Discourse concerning the Beauty of Providence, in all the rugged passages of it;" and in 1653 by "A Discourse concerning the Gift of Prayer."

On the commencement of the civil wars he adhered to the parliament, and took the solemn league and covenant. The committee for reforming the university appointed him warden of Wadham College. On the 12th of April 1648 he was created B.D., and was next day admitted to the office, for which his learning, as well as his talents and temper, eminently qualified him. Next year he was created D.D. and about the same period married Robina, the sister of Oliver Cromwell, and the widow of Dr French, canon of Christ Church. The protector granted him a dispensation for retaining the wardenship, notwithstanding his marriage. In 1659 Richard Cromwell appointed him master of Trinity College, Cambridge, but he was ejected in the course of the following year. The Restoration did not however deprive Dr Wilkins of all hope of preferment. He soon afterwards became preacher at Gray's Inn, and rector of St Lawrence-Jewry. His next promotion was to the deanery of Ripon. It was about this period that he published the most remarkable of his works, "An Essay towards a Real Character and a Philosophical Language." Lond. 1668, fol. Of this essay a Latin version was completed by Ray, but was never published. During the same year, 1668, he was advanced to the bishopric of Chester; and his consecration sermon was preached by Dr Tillotson, who had married his step-daughter, Elizabeth French. The high preferment which he so well merited he did not long enjoy. Wilkins was the fourth bishop appointed to this see since the year 1608. His fatal disease was a suppression of urine, which was mistaken for the stone. He died at Dr Tillotson's house in Chancery-lane, London, on the 19th of November 1672, having only attained the age of fifty-eight. His funeral