He was born in Northamptonshire and was the half brother of John Wilkins, who would become bishop of Chester and one of the founders of the Royal Society.
He became one of the earliest members of the Royal Society, and he was also made the registrar of the diocese of Chester.
In 1686, he developed a severe eye infection, and he resigned his teaching post in 1687.
Anthony à Wood wrote of Pope as a libertine, and he published collections of poetry and translations in 1698, but others regarded him as pious and devout.
He died in 1714 and left his money and belongings to a woman named Anne Shargold, who had cared for him in his illness.