Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Nelson, James

by Gerald Patrick Moriarty

NELSON, JAMES (1710–1794), author, born in 1710, followed the profession of an apothecary for fifty years in Red Lion Square, Holborn, London. He was well known in contemporary literary circles, and wrote two works which were highly praised by the critics. They are: 1. ‘An Essay on the Government of Children under three general heads: Health, Manners, and Education,’ London, 1753, in which the mistaken prejudices of the time on the subject are carefully refuted. 2. ‘The Affectionate Father, a sentimental Comedy; together with Essays on Various Subjects,’ London, 1786. In this various moral truths were taught in the form of a play. Nelson died in London on 19 April 1794.

[Nichols's Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century, ix. 14; Gent. Mag. 1753 p. 508, 1794 pt. i. p. 389.]

G. P. M-y.