John Fell
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
an English Independent minister, was born at Cockermouth, 1735, and became pastor at Thaxted Essex. His early opportunities were great, but by his talents and industry he became a very respectable scholar. He was made tutor in the ancient languages in the Dissenters' seminary at Homerton. He is said to have " been dismissed from his office there for reading newspapers on Sunday." His friends got him an annuity of 4l00,-and he was "asked to deliver lectures on the Evidences at the Scots' Church, London Wall.". He had only delivered four when he died, Sept. 6, 1797. He published (in controversy with Dr. Hugh Farmer- q.v.) Demosniacs, an Inquiry into the Heathen and Scriptere Doctrine of Demons (London, 1779, 8vo) :-The Idolatry of Greece and Rome distinguished from that of other Heathen Nations (Lond. 1785, 8vo). After his death Dr. Hunter published his Lectures on the Evidences (Lond. 1798, 8vo).-Bogue and Bennett, Hist. of Dissenters, ii, 518; Kitto, Cyclopedia, s.v.; Darling, Cyclop. Bibliographica, 1125.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [2]
A celebrated English divine; Royalist in sympathy, he continued throughout the Puritan ascendency loyal to the English Church, and on the Restoration became Dean of Christ Church and a royal chaplain; was a good man and a charitable, and a patron of learning; in 1676 was raised to the bishopric of Oxford; was the object of the well-known epigram, "I do not like thee, Dr. Fell, The reason why I cannot tell" (1625-1686).
