Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jones, John (1693-1752)

1400430Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 30 — Jones, John (1693-1752)1892Daniel Lleufer Thomas

JONES, JOHN (1693–1752), editor of Horace, son of William Jones, an apothecary, was born in the Old Jewry, London, on 31 Aug. 1693. He entered Merchant Taylors' School on 12 Sept. 1703, was elected to a scholarship at St. John's College, Oxford, in 1712, and graduated B.A. in 1716, and B.C.L. on 9 April 1720. He became head-master of Oundle school in Northamptonshire in 1718. Dr. Edmund Gibson, bishop of London, is said to have been ‘continually teazed for preferment by his kinsman Jones,’ whom he collated in 1743 to the rectory of Uppingham in Rutland. Jones held the benefice until his death, and was buried at Uppingham on 20 July 1752. An anonymous letter written by Jones, and putting some ‘shrewd questions’ to Dr. Richard Newton, the author of ‘Pluralities Indefensible,’ is published in the third edition of that work, London, 1745, 8vo. Jones also edited the works of Horace, London, 1736, 4to. The edition, a few copies of which were printed on large paper, contains Latin notes and various readings, and is dedicated to the Duke of Rutland.

[Robinson's Reg. of Merchant Taylors' School ii. 11; Nichols's Lit. Anecd. v. 709; communication from the Rev. R. P. Lightfoot, archdeacon of Oakham, Rutland.]

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