John Wilkins, D.D., was born in 1614; and in 1627 was entered of New Inn, Oxford, but removed to Magdalen Hall, where he graduated. On the breaking out of the rebellion he took the covenant; and in 1648 was created B.D., and made warden of Wadham College by the Presbyterian Committee for the Reformation of the University. He afterwards subscribed to the engagement, and complied with the various changes of the times, though apparently steadily attached to the monarchy. About 1656, he married Robina, sister of Oliver Cromwell, by whom he had no issue; and in 1659 he was appointed master of Trinity College, Cambridge. On the restoration he took the required oaths, and was appointed Dean of Ripon, afterwards Dean of Exeter; and also preached to the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn. Through the influence of George, Duke of Buckingham, he obtained the Bishopric of Chester, and was consecrated November 15th, 1668, holding with it the rectory of Wigan. He died at the house of Dr. Tillotson, who had married his daughter-in-law, on November 19th, 1672, and was buried in the church of St. Lawrence, Jewry, London. He was one of the founders of the Royal Society, to which he bequeathed £400, and a pious, learned, and scientific man. Calamy says “many ministers were brought in by Bishop Wilkins’ soft interpretation of the terms of conformity.” “He was no great read man,” says Aubrey, “but one of much and deepe thinkeing, and of a working head, and a prudent man as well as ingeniose. He was a lustie, strong growne, well sett, broad shouldered person; cheerful and hospitable. He was extremely well beloved in his diocese.” Bishop Wilkins wrote several curious and learned works, which are now scarce and of considerable value. John Pearson, D.D., F.R.S., born at Snoring (or Creake), in Norfolk, February 12th, 1612, educated at Eton, admitted of King’s College, Cambridge, B.A. 1635, M.A. 1639, and shortly afterwards Prebendary of Sarum. During the civil war he was chaplain to Lord Goring, and afterwards in the same capacity in the family of Sir Robert Cook in London. In 1650, he was minister of St. Clement’s, Eastcheap, London, at which Church, he preached his incomparable lectures on the Creed, and afterwards published them, as he states in the dedication to his parishioners, at their request. At the Restoration, he was nominated one of the king’s chaplains, installed Prebendary of Ely, September 22nd, 1660, and on the 26th of the same month and year, appointed Archdeacon of Surrey, and admitted Master of Trinity College, on the 14th April, 1662. Elected F.R.S. 1667.