Academics a name given to such philosophers as adopted the doctrines of Plato. They were so called from the Academia, a grove near Athens, where they studied and lectured. The Academics are divided into those of the first academy, who taught the doctrines of Plato in their original purity; those of the second, or middle academy, who differed materially from the first, and inclined to skepticism; and those of the new academy, who pursued probability as the only attainable wisdom. The Academics and Epicureans (q.v.) were the prevailing philosophical sects at the time of Christ's birth. — Tennemann, Hist. Philosophy §§ 127-138.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More