Chapter Arnold to Ashmole of A by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Asgill, John (1659-1738).—Eccentric writer, student at the Middle Temple, 1686, and called to the Bar 1692. In 1699 he published in an unlucky hour a pamphlet to prove that death was not obligatory upon Christians, which, much to his surprise, aroused the public wrath and led to his expulsion from the Irish and English House of Commons successively. Asgill thereafter fell on evil days, and passed the rest of his life between the Fleet and the King’s Bench, where, strange to say, his zeal as a pamphleteer continued unabated. He died in 1738.

Ashmole, Elias (1617-1692).—Antiquary, was educated at Lichfield, and became a solicitor in 1638. On the breaking out of the Civil War he sided with the royalists; went to Oxford and studied science, including astrology. The result of his studies in this region of mystery was his Theatrum Chymicum Britannicum, which gained him great repute and the friendship of John Selden. His last astrological treatise was The Way to Bliss, which dealt with the subject of “the philosopher’s stone.” He also wrote various works on antiquarian subjects, and a History of the Order of the Garter. Ashmole held various posts under government, and presented to the University of Oxford a valuable collection of curiosities now known as the Ashmolean Museum. He also bequeathed his library to the University. His wife was a daughter of Sir W. Dugdale, the antiquary.