Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hoppus, John

by William Arthur Jobson Archbold

HOPPUS, JOHN (1789–1875), independent minister and professor at University College, London, son of the Rev. John Hoppus, also an independent minister, was born in London in 1789. He was educated for a time under Dr. Bennett at the Rotherham Independent College, where the views of Edward Williams, author of the ‘Divine Equality and Sovereignty,’ had great influence among the students. He afterwards studied at Edinburgh under Dugald Stewart, but transferred his terms to Glasgow, in order to attend the sermons of Dr. Chalmers, and there he graduated M.A. He came to London to take charge of the Carter Street Chapel, but resigned in 1825 owing to difficulties with his congregation, which was somewhat Arian in views. Hoppus had done some work for the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, and had become acquainted with Brougham. At Brougham's instance, with the support of James Mill, he was appointed the first professor of the philosophy of mind and logic in the university of London, afterwards University College, in 1829 [for the circumstances of the election, see under Grote, George]. Here he lectured till the middle of 1866. He was made LL.D. of Glasgow in 1839, and F.R.S. in 1841. In 1847 he took part in the controversy as to popular education. Hoppus died 29 Jan. 1875. He had married in 1832 Martha Devenish, who died in 1853, leaving several children.

His principal works, all published in London, are:

1. ‘A Statement of Facts, with Correspondence, relating to the late Measures of the Managers of the Congregation of Protestant Dissenters assembled in Carter Lane, Doctors' Commons,’ 1825, 12mo.
2. ‘An Account of Lord Bacon's “Novum Organon Scientiarum,”’ for the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, 1827, 8vo.
3. ‘An Essay on the Nature and Objects of the Course of Study, in the Class of the Philosophy of the Human Mind and Logic in the University of London,’ 2nd edition, 1830.
4. ‘On the Present State of Religion,’ 1832, 12mo.
5. ‘Sketches on the Continent in 1835,’ 2nd edition, 1836, 12mo.
6. ‘Thoughts on Academical Education and Degrees in Arts,’ 1837, 8vo.
7. ‘The Crisis of Popular Education,’ 1847, 8vo.
8. ‘Lectures on the Polity and History of the Hebrews,’ 1847, 12mo.
9. ‘Memorials of a Wife,’ 1856, 12mo.

[Works; Congregational Year-Book, 1876.]

W. A. J. A.