John Smith (Platonist)

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John Smith (1618-52) was an English educator, born at Achurch, Northamptonshire. He entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in 1636, took his B.A. in 1640 and his M.A. in 1644, at which time he was chosen fellow of Queens' College. His health seems to have been precarious from the first. His labors were princepally confined to his office as teacher, for which he had remarkable qualifications. His preaching was with a rare degree of eloquence, which can still be felt in the Discourses (1660), which remain to us. He gained much local fame as a lecturer on mathematics. His personal character was such as to excite the admiration and love of his associates in a remarkable degree. As a founder of the Cambridge Platonists, his special service was in developing the foundation of a Christian philosophy.

• This article incorporates text from an edition of the New International Encyclopedia that is in the public domain.