Edward. Bernard

Edward. Bernard

an English clergyman, a learned critic and astronomer, was born at Perry St. Paul, Northamptonshire, May 2, 1638. He graduated from St. John's College, Oxford, in 1659; filled the chair of astronomy at Oxford for a time in the absence of Sir Christopher Wren, and in 1672 became rector of Cheam in Surrey. In 1674 he became Savilian professor of astronomy at Oxford, and remained in that chair until 1691, when he was presented to the rectory of Brightwell in Berkshire. He died Jan. 12, 1696. He visited Holland three times in the course of his learned investigations. His works are of interest especially in science and criticism. See Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.