Elias Hicks, an American preacher of the society of Friends, born in Hempstead, N. Y., March 19, 1748, died in Jericho, N. Y., Feb. 27, 1830. While a youth he manifested a talent for public speaking, and at the age of 27 was a well known preacher. For many years he labored zealously in advancing the generally accepted doctrines of the Friends; but having as he believed discovered errors in these tenets, he put forth views of his own which he defended with energy and ability. To advance these views he travelled extensively in the United States and in the British provinces, attracting large congregations by his oratory. The result was a schism in the body of Friends; those adhering to the old doctrines being specially termed orthodox, while the followers of Hicks were called after him Hicksites. (See Friends.) He preserved his intellectual vigor till late in life, visiting when 80 years of age New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, and the northern and western parts of New York. His theological writings were principally in an epistolary form. - See "Elias Hicks, Journal of his Life and Labors" (Philadelphia, 1828), and his "Sermons" (1828).