Clarke, John (2)

Clarke, John dean of Sarum (brother of Dr. Samuel Clarke), was born at Norwich, and bred a weaver, but was afterwards educated at Cambridge, where he received the degree of D.D. He obtained a prebend at Norwich, was appointed chaplain to the king, and, finally, dean of Salisbury. He died in 1759. His principal writings are, An Inquiry into the Cause and Origin of Evil (Boyle Lecture, Lond. 1720-21, 2 vols. 8vo); a Demonstration of Newton's Philosophy (Lond. 1730, 8vo). His translation of Grotius de Veritate is still reprinted. He furnished the notes to Wharton's Religion of Nature.