John Arbutiinot, a Scottish physician and writer, born in Kincardineshire about 1675, died in London, Feb. 27, 1735. He was the son of a Presbyterian clergyman, took his doctor's degree at the university of Aberdeen, and going to London, supported himself for a while by teaching mathematics. He made his first literary venture in 1697 in a critical essay entitled "An Examination of Dr. Woodward's Account of the Deluge," in which he aimed to show that a universal deluge was inconsistent with philosophical truth. The reputation which this work gave its author was considerably heightened in 1700 by his "Essay on the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning." He now began to practise as a physician, and quickly attained a high position in the profession, aided not a little by his witty conversation and agreeable manners. In 1704 he contributed to the royal society a paper concerning the regularity of the birth of both sexes, which procured his election into that body. In 1709 he was appointed the queen's physician in ordinary, and the next year was admitted a member of the royal college of physicians. He lived in constant intercourse with Pope, Swift, Gay, Par-nell, Gray, and Prior, in whose brilliant circle he was unequalled for learning and wit.

In 1712 he wrote the "History of John Bull," a political allegory, designed to ridicule the duke of Marlborough and render the war unpopular. It is the most durable monument of his fame, and one of the best humorous compositions in the English language. He formed in 1714, in conjunction with Swift and Pope, the plan of writing a satire on the abuse of human learning in every branch. The design was to be executed in the humorous manner of Cervantes, in the form of a history of feigned adventures. It was frustrated by the death of Queen Anne, by which Arbuthnot lost his place, and a serious blow was given to all the political friends of the associated wits. The design was never carried further than an imperfect though witty and original essay, written chiefly by Arbuthnot, under the title of " First Book of the Memoirs of Martinus Scriblerus." Dr. Arbuthnot visited Paris immediately after the death of the queen, and on his return continued his literary occupations and his medical practice. In 1717 he and Pope gave assistance to Gay in a farce entitled " Three Hours after Marriage," the failure of which is explained in part by the peculiar character of Arbuthnot's humor, which was something too refined and rare to be generally appreciated.

In 1723 he was chosen second censor of the royal college of physicians, and in 1727 was made an elect of the college, and pronounced the Harveian oration. In 1727 also appeared the most valuable of his serious performances, entitled " Tables of Ancient Coins, Weights, and Measures." He continued to write humorous papers, among them a remarkable epitaph upon the infamous Col. Char-teris. In 1732 he contributed toward detecting and punishing the impositions of the so-called "Charitable Corporation," and shortly afterward published his essays concerning " The Nature and Choice of Aliments," and " The Effects of Air on Human Bodies." He was then living in great debility at Hempstead, and, failing to obtain relief, returned but a short time before his death to London. His last humorous work was an entertaining and scholarlike paper on "The Altercation or Scolding of the Ancients." Arbuthnot was equally admired for his amiability and his wit. Some of his writings are so blended with those of his confederates that they are not easily distinguished.