Conant, John, Dd

Conant, John, D.D.

a learned English divine, was born October 18, 1608, at Yealmpton, in Devonshire. He was educated in private schools and at Exeter College, in Oxford, where he was chosen a fellow in 1633, soon after became an, eminent tutor, and June 7, 1649, was unanimously chosen rector by his fellows. In 1652 he received priest's orders at Salisbury, and in December, 1654, became divinity professor of the University of Oxford. In October, 1657, he was made vice-chancellor of the university, and held that dignity until August 5, 1660; was deprived of his rectory of Exeter College, September 1, 1662; in 1670 was invited to St. Mary, Aldermanbury, in London, but declined. In 1676 he became archdeacon of Norwich, and in December, 1681, prebendary in the cathedral of Worcester. He died March 12, 1693. Dr. Conant understood thoroughly the Oriental languages, and was well versed in the Syriac. There have been six volumes of his Sermons published (Oxf. 1693-1722). See Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.