Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Wait, Daniel Guilford

by Edward Irving Carlyle

WAIT, DANIEL GUILFORD (1789–1850), Hebrew scholar, born in 1789, was the son of Daniel Wait of Bristol. He matriculated from University College, Oxford, on 20 Oct. 1809, and removed to St. John's College, Cambridge, whence he graduated LL.B. in 1819 and LL.D. in 1824. He was ordained as curate in Pucklechurch, near Bristol, and on 12 March 1819 was presented to the rectory of Blagdon in Somerset. Wait was an orientalist of some learning. His first publication in 1811 was 'A Defence of a Critique of the Hebrew Word Nachash,' London, 8vo, in which he supported the conclusion that Eve was deceived by a serpent and not by an ape, as Adam Clarke [q. v.] had urged in the 'Classical, Biblical, and Oriental Journal.' His chief work, 'Jewish, Oriental, and Classical Antiquities' (Cambridge, 8vo), which appeared in 1823, was compiled with much labour and research. Wait died at Blagdon, unmarried, on 30 Sept. 1850.

Besides the works mentioned, he was the author of:

1. 'An Inquiry into the Religious Knowledge which the Heathen Philosophers derived from the Jewish Scriptures,' Cambridge, 1813, 8vo.
2. 'A Comparison of certain Traditions found in the Thalmud, Targumiy and Rabbinical Writers, with circumstances in the Life of our Saviour,' Cambridge, 1814, 8vo.
3. 'A Critical Examination of some few Scripture Texts, which maintain the Doctrine of a Trinity in Unity,' London, 1819, 8vo.
4. 'A Course of Sermons preached before the University of Cambridge,' London, 1826, 8vo.
5. 'A Selection from the Psalms,' London, 1848, 12mo.

He translated 'An Introduction to the Writings of the New Testament,' London, 1827, 8vo, from the German of Johann Leonhard von Hug; but his translation was superseded by that of Moses Stuart (Andover, 1836, 8vo). He also edited the 'Repertorium Theologicum,' London, 1829, 8vo, of which only one number appeared.

[Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1715-1886; Foster's Index Ecclesiasticus, 1800-40; Biogr. Dictionary of Living Authors, 1816; Gent. Mag. 1860, ii. 669.]

E. I. C.