Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bernard, John Peter
BERNARD, JOHN PETER (d. 1750), biographer, was the son of James Bernard, a French protestant minister, well known in his day as a man of letters. He received his education at Leyden, where he took degrees in arts and philosophy. In 1733 he was settled in London, and gaining a livelihood by preaching, giving lessons in literature and mathematics, and compiling for the booksellers. He is remembered by having contributed largely to the 'General Dictionary, Historical and Critical,' 10 vols, folio, London, 1734–41. Some idea of the share he had in this laborious undertaking may be gathered from his letters to the editor, Dr. Thomas Birch, preserved at the British Museum in the Additional (Birch) MS. 4301. Bernard died in the parish of St. Marylebone, Middlesex, 6 April 1760.
He had been admitted a fellow of the Royal Society in January 1737-8.
[MS. Addit.430],ff. 1-99; Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, v. 287 n., Gent. Mag. xx. 188; Letters of Administration in P. C. C. granted 30 May 1760.]