Born at Salisbury, studied at Wadham, Oxford, and Lincoln’s Inn. On his father’s death (1733) left master of an ample fortune, he devoted himself to the classics, but in 1761 entered parliament, and in 1763 became a Lord of the Admiralty and of the Treasury, in 1764 secretary and comptroller to Queen Charlotte. In 1774 he published “Art and Happiness;” in 1751 “Hermes,” an inquiry into universal grammar. See his works edited in 1801–3 with a Memoir by his son, the diplomatist, James, first Earl of Malmesbury (1746–1820).

General

  His profound knowledge of Greek, which he applied more successfully, perhaps, than any modern writer has done, to the study and explanation of ancient philosophy, arose from an early and intimate acquaintance with the excellent poets and historians in that language…. The deep sense of moral and religious obligation which was habitual to him, and those benevolent feelings which were so great a happiness to his family and friends, had the same powerful influence over his public as his private life.

  We ought not either to admit the mention of Mr. James Harris, the learned and accomplished author of one of the most beautiful specimens of metaphysical analysis of the theory of Language, which exist in our language—I mean the work entitled “Hermes.”

  Mr. Harris had long left the University of Oxford before he began even to read Aristotle, or to inquire into the Greek philosophy; and he was led to the consideration of universal grammar by no book of the academical cycle, either then or since, but by the “Minerva” of Sanctius. That Mr. Harris was a tardy student of philosophy, is shown, perhaps, in his want of self-reliance, in his prejudice in favor of authority—at least of ancient authority. But truth is not the property of the old or of the new; “nondum occupata,” it frequently belongs to neither.

  The definitions of Harris are considered arbitrary, and often unnecessary, and his rules are complicated; but his profound acquaintance with Greek literature, and his general learning, supplying numerous illustrations, enabled him to produce a curious and valuable publication. Every writer on the history and philosophy of grammar must consult “Hermes.” Unfortunately the study of the ancient dialects of the northern nations was little prevalent at the time of Mr. Harris, and to this cause—as was the case also with many of the etymological distinctions in Johnson’s Dictionary—must be attributed some of his errors and the imperfection of his plan.