compiled Hebrew lexicons according to his principles and on the basis of his works. Hence he is justly regarded as having had extensive influence even over the early versions of the Old Testament. He has been held in high repute, both for his method, and the precision and elegance of his style. The Jews have always regarded him as their principal grammarian. He died in the earlier part of the thirteenth century, but in what year is not certainly known, though according to some it was in 1240. His works are of two classes, exegetical and grammatical. His Hebrew grammar bears the title of "Sepher Michlol," or Book of Perfection, although this appears to be intended to include the lexicon also. The first edition of the grammar is said to have been printed in 1513, but this is doubtful; and the earliest mentioned by Steinschneider (Bibliographisches Handbuch, Leipsic, 1859) is an edition printed at Constantinople in 1532-34, in folio, and the second an octavo at the same time and place. It has been frequently printed since; but the edition of Venice by Elias Levita in 1545, with annotations, is said to be the best. The "Sepher Shorashim," or Book of Roots, is a lexicon with biblical citations, first published before 1480, again at Naples in 1490, and often since. The Venice edition of Elias Levita in 1546 or 1548 is valuable; but the best is that of Berlin, by Lebrecht and Biesenthal, in 1847. The exegetical works of Kimchi have been most of them inserted in the large rabbinical bibles published at Venice and Basle, which do not, however, contain the commentary on the book of Psalms. These commentaries are upon nearly the whole of the Old Testament. He also wrote "Letters;" a controversial work on the Messianic psalms in answer to christian interpreters; and other works, some of which have never been published.—B. H. C.
KIND, Johann Friedrich, a prolific German lyric poet, dramatist, and novelist, was born at Leipsic, 4th March, 1768, and died at Dresden, 25th June, 1843. He studied law, and in 1793 settled at Dresden as an attorney, but after 1814 lived in literary retirement. His fame rests on his "Freischütz," which has been rendered immortal by Weber's music.—K. E.
KING, Charles, Mus. Bac., Oxon, the cathedral composer, was educated in the choir of St. Paul's cathedral under Dr. Blow. In 1704 he was admitted to the degree of bachelor in music at Oxford; and on the death of Jeremiah Clark, he succeeded to the situation of almoner and master of the children of St. Paul's. In 1730 he became a vicar choral of the same cathedral. He was also organist of St. Bennet Fink, London, all of which situations he held till his death in 1745. He composed a few anthems and many services. The number of the latter gave occasion to Dr. Greene's saying, that "Mr. King was a very serviceable man." King's services have been much censured; but as they are in constant use in every cathedral in England and Ireland, this is an incontestable proof of merit, and silences all criticism.—E. F. R.
KING, Sir Edmund, a surgeon and chemist of the seventeenth century, who contributed some papers on physiological subjects to the Philosophical Transactions, Charles II., who took an interest in chemistry, and in whose reign the Royal Society was founded, is said to have spent much time in his laboratory. Sir Edmund attended the king on his death-bed, and was ordered £1000 by the privy council, which he never received.—G. BL.
KING, Edward, a name which would have been forgotten had not the genius of Milton given it immortality under that of Lycidas. He was the son of Sir John King, secretary for Ireland, and born in 1612. A fellow collegian of Milton's, they were both designed for holy orders, and formed an intimate friendship. King early distinguished himself for his proficiency in polite literature, and wrote some elegant Latin verses while in college. But a life of high promise was suddenly terminated. He was drowned off the coast of Chester, while going to Ireland, on the 10th of August, 1637. The following year a small volume of poems in Greek, Latin, and English ("Lycidas" amongst them), was printed in honour of his memory at Cambridge. Milton had evidently a high opinion of his talents—
- " Dead ere his prime,
- " Dead ere his prime,
Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer;"
"in quo nihil immaturum præter ætatem."—J. F. W.
KING, Edward, an English antiquary, born in Norfolk in 1735, educated at Clare hall, Cambridge, removed to Lincoln's inn, was called to the bar, and became recorder of Lynn. In 1767 he was elected F.R.S., and three years later F.S.A. Of the Antiquaries he became president in 1784 on the death of Dean Miles. He published "Morsels of Criticism," 3 vols., 8vo; "Munimenta Antiqua," 3 vols., fol.; and "Remarks on the Signs of the Times." Bishop Horsley wrote a reply to this last work. He died in 1807.—P. E. D.
KING, Gregory, an eminent writer on heraldic and commercial subjects, was born in 1648 at Lichfield, and was educated at the grammar-school of that town. Through the recommendation of Dr. Hunter of Lichfield, he was taken into the service of Sir W. Dugdale. His subsequent career was one of the most varied kind; no occupation, from surveying a road to painting a coach-panel, coming amiss to him. He became acquainted with Hollar the engraver, and Ogilby, and was employed by both. King died in 1712. His most important work is "Natural and Political Observations and Conclusions upon the State and Condition of England," 1696. which was republished by G. Chalmers in 1802 and 1810.—W. C. H.
KING, Henry, was born at Wornal, Bucks, in 1591, the son of John King, bishop of London. He took orders, and became a popular preacher, chaplain to James I., archdeacon of Colchester, residentiary of St. Paul's, canon and dean of Rochester, and in 1641 bishop of Chichester. He vacated this see during the Commonwealth, but returned to it at the Restoration, and held it till his death in 1669. In youth he was fond of music and poetry, and was witty and agreeable in his conversation. In later life he studied rhetoric, philosophy, and theology. He wrote "The Psalms of David from the new translation of the Bible, turned into metre, to be sung after the old tunes used in churches," London, 1651. In 1649 he published "A deep groan fetched at the funeral of the incomparable and glorious King Charles I.," a poem which may be seen at the end of the works of Charles I., signed D.H.K. A volume of poems, elegies, paradoxes, sonnets, &c., appeared in 1657. He also wrote letters, anthems, and sermons; the latter includes an exposition of the Lord's Prayer. He was a decided royalist, but puritanically inclined.—John King, his brother, born in Yorkshire in 1596, and educated at Christ church, Oxford, was orator of the university, and in 1620 prebendary of Christ church. He was also prebendary of St. Paul's, and canon of Windsor. He wrote Latin encomiums on Charles I.; a Latin oration on James I., and some sermons. He died in 1639.—B. H. C.
KING, John, was born at Wornal, studied at Westminster, and entered Christ church, Oxford, in 1576. He was chaplain to Elizabeth and James I., and archdeacon of Nottingham in 1590. In 1605 he became dean of Christ church and vice-chancellor of the university, and in 1611 bishop of London, by the favour of James, who styled him the King of preachers. "He was a solid and profound divine, of great gravity and piety, and had so excellent a volubility of speech, that Sir Edward Coke, the famous lawyer, would often say of him that he was the best speaker in the star-chamber in his time." As bishop of London he preached every Sunday. He published lectures and sermons on public occasions, and died, March 30, 1621, aged sixty-two. Soon after his death the papists endeavoured to show that he died in their communion, and a book was written by one of them to prove it. This calumny was fully refuted by his son Henry and others.—B. H. C.
KING, John, an English divine, a native of St. Columb in Cornwall, where he was born in 1652. He studied at Oxford, but took his degree of D.D. at Catherine hall, Cambridge. When he entered into orders he was appointed curate of Bray in Berks, and in 1690 became rector of Pertenhall in Bedfordshire. In 1694 he removed to Chelsea. Archbishop Dawes, who had been master at Catherine hall, appointed him prebendary of York. He died the following year, and by his own desire was buried at Pertenhall. Dr. King was somewhat given to controversy, but was regarded as a man of good ability and learning. Some of his works remain still unpublished; but the titles of the remainder are indicative of his character—"Animadversions on a letter of advice to the Nonconformists;" "The Case of Bishop Atherton;" "Tolando-Pseudologo-Mastix, or a currycomb for a lying coxcomb;" and sermons.—John King, his eldest son, born in 1696, studied at Eton and Cambridge, and practised medicine at Stamford, where he died in 1728. He published a Latin epistle to John Freind in 1722. and an edition of the Hecuba, Orestes, and Phœnissæ of Euripides in 1726, which is now very rare.—B. H. C.
