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

by John Thomas Gilbert

HAWKEY, JOHN (1703–1759), classical scholar, a native of Ireland, entered Trinity College, Dublin, in 1720, aged 17, became a scholar in 1722, and graduated in 1725. Hawkey published a translation of the ‘Anabasis’ of Xenophon; established a school in 1746 at Dublin, and issued there several editions of the classics. These have been much commended for their beauty and accuracy by the classical bibliographers, Edward Harwood and Thomas Frognall Dibdin. Hawkey projected an edition of Cicero in twenty volumes, which, however, was not printed. He published at Dublin handsome editions of ‘Paradise Lost’ in 1747, and ‘Paradise Regained’ in 1752. These editions, according to Milton's editor, the Rev. H. J. Todd, are valuable for their accuracy. Hawkey died at Dublin in 1759.

His editions of classical authors, all published in Dublin in 8vo, are:

1. ‘Virgilius,’ 1745.
2. ‘Horatius,’ 1745, dedicated to Primate John Hoadly.
3. ‘Terentius,’ 1745, dedicated to the Earl of Chesterfield.
4. ‘Juvenal and Persius,’ 1746, dedicated to Mordecai Cary, bishop of Killala.
5. ‘Sallustius,’ 1747.

[View of Editions of Classics, by E. Harwood, 1790; Introduction to Knowledge of Classics, by T. F. Dibdin, D.D., 1827; Poetical Works of Milton, by H. J. Todd, 1842; History of City of Dublin, vol. ii. 1859.]

J. T. G.