John Wilmot Rochester, second earl of, a wit of the court of Charles II., born at Ditch-ley, Oxfordshire, in 1647 or 1648, died July 26, 1680. He travelled in France and Italy, and in 1665-'6 served at sea, distinguishing himself on several occasions; but on returning to London he would not fight duels and lost reputation. The king made him a gentleman of the bedchamber and ranger of Woodstock park. He became addicted to intemperance, and was famous for debauchery and buffoonery. When prostrated by disease, he was converted from infidelity, and on his deathbed directed the destruction of all his profane and licentious writings. But shortly after his death appeared a volume of his " Poems on several Occasions " (reprinted in 1685, '91, and '96), followed by his "Familiar Letters " (1697). In the edition of 1731-'2, which includes poems by Roscommon, Dorset, and others, much that is attributed to Rochester is probably spurious. Dr. Burnet published "Some Passages of the Life and Death of John, Earl of Rochester" (1681), and Dr. Johnson wrote his biography in "Lives of the Poets." His only son died a minor in 1681, when the title became extinct.