Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Harris, Samuel
HARRIS, SAMUEL (1682–1733), first professor of modern history at Cambridge, was born on 9 Dec. 1682, entered Merchant Taylors' School on 11 Sept. 1694, and proceeded to Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. 1703, M.A. 1707, and was elected fellow. He was Craven scholar of the university in 1701. In October 1724 he was admitted first regius professor of modern history at Cambridge. The professorship was founded by George I in the previous May. Harris's inaugural lecture (in Latin) was printed. He died on 21 Dec. 1733 (Gent. Mag. 1733, p. 663).
Harris was author of a very curious and learned commentary on the 53rd chapter of Isaiah, which his widow Mary issued after his death in 1735 (London, 4to), and dedicated to Queen Caroline.
[Robinson's Reg. Merchant Taylors' School, i. 333; Cooper's Annals of Cambridge, iv. 182, 185.]