Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jermyn, James
JERMYN, JAMES (d. 1852), philologist, was the third son of Robert Jermyn, captain of a ship, but afterwards collector of the customs at Southwold, Suffolk, by Mary, daughter and coheiress of Dr. Samuel Rye of Halesworth in the same county (Nichols, Herald and Genealogist, v. 438). Henry Jermyn (1767–1820) [q. v.] was his cousin. He was called to the bar, but being possessed of a private fortune did not practise. After residing for a time at Brighthelmstone, Sussex, he settled at Southwold, where he was appointed collector of the pier dues. He died in 1852. In 1822 he married Emily Harriott (1793–1824), only surviving child of his cousin Henry, by whom he had three daughters.
Jermyn's chief publications are: 1. ‘The Halesworth Review, from 14th September to 14th October 1808’ [anon.], 8vo, Halesworth, 1808. It contains notices of the various pamphlets published at Halesworth about that time respecting plays, especially those by the Rev. John Dennant. Relating to the same subject is ‘The Halesworth Dunciad, a Satire on Pedantry, addressed to the Censor of the Stage’ (i.e. J. Dennant), 4to, Halesworth, 1808, which has also been ascribed to Jermyn. 2. ‘Opus Epithetorum’ [anon.], 8vo, privately printed, London, (1815?), a specimen of an intended dictionary of epithets used by Jermyn. 3. ‘Phrases. Specimen of an arrangement of English Phrases faithfully collected from the Works of our principal Poets, from the time of Chaucer to the present Period’ [anon.], 8vo, privately printed (London? 1818?). 4. ‘Gradus ad Parnassum. On a plan nearly resembling that of the Latin work … being an arrangement of our principal Synonyms, Epithets, and Phrases, faithfully collected from the Works of the best Poets’ [anon.], 8vo, privately printed (London? 1820?). 5. ‘To the Hundred of Blything’ [anon.], 8vo (Southwold? 1821?), an address on the subject of the poor-law assessment. 6. ‘Pro & Con, or Hundred Arguments for a new Act [of poor-law assessment] and against it’ [anon.], 8vo, Southwold (1821?). 7. ‘Elements of English Epithets, with Illustrations and References to Authorities. Specimen’ [anon.], 4to (London, 1847). 8. ‘Prospectus and Specimen of an English Gradus and Dictionary of Ideas,’ &c., 8vo, London, 1848. 9. ‘Book of English Epithets, literal and figurative, with Elementary Remarks and Minute References to Authorities,’ 8vo, London, 1849.
[Brit. Mus. Cat.]