Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Burn, John
BURN, JOHN (1744?–1802), lawyer, the son of Richard Burn, LL.D. [q. v.], author of the ‘Justice of the Peace and Parish Officer,’ was born about 1744 at Orton in Westmoreland, where his father was rector. Though bred to the law, he did not practise, but his legal knowledge stood him in good stead in his capacity of magistrate for the counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland. The duties of this position he is said to have fulfilled with great intelligence and activity. He published no independent work of his own, but devoted himself to editing and continuing some of his father's legal writings. In 1792 he issued his continuation of Richard Burn’s ‘New Law Dictionary.’ The 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th editions (1788-1800) of the ‘Justice of the Peace’ were edited and continued by him; and to the 17th (1793) he added an appendix, containing an act respecting aliens, other acts having regard to excise, to militia, to the maintenance of the families of ballotted men, to the appointment of guardians of the poor, and to traitorous correspondence with the enemy during the war with France.
Burn died at Orton Hall in Westmoreland, 20 Jan. 1802, aged 58.
[Beauties of England and Wales, xv. pt. ii.; European Magazine, xli. 238; Brit. Mus. Cat.]