LILLY, WILLIAM, an English astrologer, b. at Diseworth, in Leicestershire, in 1602. Whilst yet a young man, he was employed as book-keeper by a merchant in London, who could not write, and on his employer's death married his widow, with whom he obtained a fortune of £1000 sterling. He betook himself to the study of astrology, par ticularly the Al' 8 NOtOria of Cornelius Agrippa, and soon acquired a considerable fame :as a caster of nativities, and a predictor of future events. In 1634 he is said to have obtained permission from the dean of Westminster to search for hidden treasure in Westminstei. abbey, but was driven from his midnight work by a storm, which he :ascribed to hellish powers. From 1644 till his death lie annually issued his liferlinus Anglicus Junior, containing vaticinations, to which no small importance was attached by many. In the war lie attached himself to the parliamentary party, and was actually sent in 16-48, with another astrologer, to the camp at Colchester, to encourage the troops, which service Ile performed so well that he received a pension for it, which, however, he only retained two years. Nevertheless, he made a srnall fortune by his
" art" durinr, the commonwealth, and was able to purchase an estate. After the restora tion, he wanor some time imprisoned, on the supposition that he was acquainted with the secrets of the republicans; but being set free, he retired to the country. He was again apprehended on suspicion of knowing something of the causes of the great fire of London in 1606. He died June 9, 1681, at his estate at Hersham. Lilly wrote nearly a score of works on his favorite subject. They are of no value whatever, except to illustrate the credulity or knavery of their author.