Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Pullen, Samuel (fl.1758)
PULLEN or PULLEIN, SAMUEL (fl. 1758), writer on the silkworm, probably grandson of Tobias Pullen [q. v.], obtained a scholarship at Trinity College, Dublin, 1732, graduated B.A. 1734, and M.A. of Trinity in 1738. He translated from the Latin of Marcus Hieronymus Vida, bishop of Alba (d. 1566), ‘The Silkworm: a Poem in two Books,’ published at Dublin, 1750, 8vo; and ‘Scacchia Ludus: a Poem on the Game of Chess,’ Dublin, printed by S. Powell for the author, 1750. A relative, William Pullein, was governor of Jamaica, and Pullen became greatly interested in the introduction of silk cultivation into the American colonies. He wrote ‘The Culture of Silk: or an Essay on its rational Practice and Improvement,’ London, 1758. On the same subject he read two papers before the Royal Society: ‘A New and Improved Silk-reel,’ illustrated with plans (1 Feb. 1759), and ‘An Account of a Particular Species of Cocoon, or Silk-pod, from America,’ 8 March 1759 (Philosoph. Trans. 1759, vol. li. pt. i. pp. 21, 54). He was also the author of ‘Observations towards a Method of preserving the Seeds of Plants in a state fit for Vegetation during long Voyages,’ London, 1760, 8vo; and of a poem ‘On the Taking of Louisburgh’ (America), published in the ‘Gentleman's Magazine,’ 1758, p. 372.
[Cat. of Trin. Coll. Libr. Dublin; Watt's Bibl. Brit. ii. 781; four letters from Pullein are in Sloane MS. 4317.]