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Percival, Thomas

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an English physician, eminent as a writer on philosophic and general social topics, was born at Warrington, in Lancashire, in 1740. After studying at Edinburgh and Leyden, he settled at Manchester, and there founded a literary and philosophical society, of which he was chosen president. He devoted a considerable portion of his time during the later period of his life to the study of moral philosophy, and he published several popular works on this subject. In his religious tenets he was a strict dissenter from the Church of England, but was very temperate and unobtrusive in his opinions. He died, universally respected by the inhabitants of Manchester, August 30, 1804. Dr. Percival's earlier medical and philosophical papers were collected and published in one volume (Lond. 1767, 8vo). To this two other volumes were afterwards added, one in 1773, and the other in 1778. These essays went through several editions, and acquired for the author considerable reputation. Besides the Essays, we may mention some: — Moral and Literary Dissertations (Warrington, 1784, 8vo): — A Father's Instructions, consisting of Moral Tales, Fables, and Reflections, designed to Promote the Love of Virtue (Lond. 1788, 8vo). All his works were collected and published together after his death by his son, in four vols. 8vo (Lond. 1807). To this edition is prefixed a memoir of his life and writings, and a selection from his literary correspondence.