DERHAM, REV. WILLIAM, D.D., an eminent English divine and philosopher, was born at Stowton, near Worcester, in Novem ber 1657, arid received his early education at Blockley in the same county. He was admitted of Trinity College, Oxford, iu 1675. Having completed his academic studies, he was ordained, and in 1685 was inatitutcd in the vicarage of Wargrave in Berkshire; and four years afterwards to the valuable rectory of Upminster in Essex, where he apcnt the remainder of his life. To this residence he was much attached ; mainly because it gave him, by its contiguity to London, ample opportunities of associating with the scientific men of the metro polis. He was made canon of Windsor in 1716, and in 1730 he received from his university the diploma of D.D. He devoted his attention, with great earnestness, to natural and experimental philosophy. He was enrolled a member of the Royal Society ; and he contributed a considerable number of memoirs to its Transactions. These papers prove him to have been a man of indefatigable research and careful observation.
Ilia first publication was the 'Artificial Clock-Maker,' which has gone through three or four editions, and is considered a useful manual even now. In 1711, 1712, and 1714, he preached those sermons at Boyle's Lecture which be afterwards expanded into the well-known works 'Physico-Theology ' and Aatro-Theology; or a demonstration of tho being and attributes of God from tho works of creation and a survey of the heavens, enriched with valuable notes, and good engrav ings after drawings of his own. His next separate work was Chrieto Theology,' or a demonstration of tho divine authority of the Christian religion, being the substance of a sermon preached in the Abbey Church of Bath, in 1729. His last published work of his own was entitled 'A Defence of the Church's Right in Leasehold Estates,' written in answer to a work entitled ' An Inquiry into the Customary Estates and Tenant-rights of those who hold lands of the Church and other Foundations.' It was published in the name of Everard Fleetwood.
Dr. Derham also published some of the works of the naturalist Ray, of which he had procured the manuscripts ; and to him the world is indebted for the publication of the philosophical experiments of Dr. Hook. He also gave new editious of other of Ray's works, with valu able editions, original, and from the anther's manuscripts ; besides editing other works of value, amongst which was the 'Miscellanea Curiosa,' in 3 vols. small 8vo.
A considerable number of his papers were printed in the 'Philoso phical Transactions,' from the 20th to the 39th volume inclusive, the principal of which are : 1, Experiments on Pendulums in Vacua.' 2, ' Of an Instrumeut for finding the Meridian.' 3, Experiments and Observations on the Motion of Sound.' 4, 'On the Migration of Birds.' 5, On the Spots on the Sun from 1703 to 1711.' 6, Obser vations on the Northern Lights, 8th October 1726, and 13th October 1728.' 7, 'Tables of the Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites.' 8, ' Differ ence of Time in the Merediau of Different Places.' 9, On the Meteor called Ignis Fatuus.' 10, The History of the Death-watch.' 11, Meteorological Tables,' for several years.
Dr. Derham was of an ungainly appearance, small stature, and dis torted form. Ile was not only the moral and religions benefactor of his parishioners, and of all those who came in his way, but he was likewise their physician in sickness, and their pecuniary friend in all their difficulties. He died at his rectory in 1735.