Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Harpur, Joseph

by Francis Watt

HARPUR, JOSEPH (1773–1821), critic, son of Joseph Harpur of Motcombe, Dorsetshire, was born there in 1773. He matriculated at Trinity College, Oxford, 10 March 1790, and proceeded B.C.L. in 1806, and D.C.L. in 1813. After a long absence he returned to the university about 1806, and held for many years the office of deputy-professor of civil law. He died in his lodgings, Clarendon Street, Oxford, from an attack of paralysis on 2 Oct. 1821, and was interred in the churchyard of St. Michael's parish. Harpur wrote 'An Essay on the Principles of Philosophical Criticism applied to Poetry,' 1810.

[Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1888, ii. 610; Notes and Queries, 3rd ser. iv. 190, 278; Gent. Mag. 1821, ii. 381; Cat. Oxford Graduates. 1851, p. 296.]

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