then successively schoolmaster at Sevenoaks, and Clerk of the Ordnance, in which position his intromissions appear to have been of more advantage to himself than to the public service. He was the author of _The Palace of Pleasure_ (1566), largely consisting of translations from Boccaccio, Bandello, and other Italian writers, and also from the classics. It formed a quarry in which many dramatists, including Shakespeare, found the plots for their plays.
PALEY, WILLIAM (1743-1805).–Theologian, _s._ of a minor canon of Peterborough, where he was _b._, went at 15 as a sizar to Christ’s Coll., Camb., where he was Senior Wrangler, and became a Fellow and Tutor of his coll. Taking orders in 1767 he held many benefices, and rose to be Archdeacon of Carlisle, and Sub-Dean of Lincoln. P., who holds one of the highest places among English theologians, was the author of four important works–_Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy_ (1785), _Horae Paulinae_, his most original, but least popular, book (1790), _View of the Evidences of Christianity_ (1794), and _Natural Theology_ (1802). Though now to a large extent superseded, these works had an immense popularity and influence in their day, and are characterised by singular clearness of expression and power of apt illustration. The system of morals inculcated by P. is Utilitarian, modified by theological ideas. His view of the “divine right of Kings” as on a level with “the divine right of constables” was unpleasing to George III., notwithstanding which his ecclesiastical career was eminently successful. His manners were plain and kindly.
PALGRAVE, SIR FRANCIS (1788-1861).–Historian, _s._ of Meyer Cohen, a Jewish stockbroker, but at his marriage in 1823, having previously become a Christian, assumed his mother-in-law’s name of Palgrave. He studied law, and was called to the Bar in 1827. From 1838 until his death in 1861 he was Deputy Keeper of the Records, and in that capacity arranged a vast mass of hitherto inaccessible documents, and ed. many of them for the Record Commission. His historical works include a _History of England in Anglo-Saxon Times_ (1831), _Rise and Progress of the English Commonwealth_ (1832), and _History of Normandy and England_ (4 vols., 1851-64), _pub._ posthumously. He was knighted in 1832. His works are of great value in throwing light upon the history and condition of mediaeval England.
PALGRAVE, FRANCIS TURNER (1824-1897).–Poet and critic, _s._ of the above, _ed._ at Oxf., was for many years connected with the Education Department, of which he rose to be Assistant Sec.; and from 1886-95 he was Prof. of Poetry at Oxf. He wrote several vols. of poetry, including _Visions of England_ (1881), and _Amenophis_ (1892), which, though graceful and exhibiting much poetic feeling, were the work rather of a man of culture than of a poet. His great contribution to literature was his anthology, _The Golden Treasury of Songs and Lyrics_ (1864), selected with marvellous insight and judgment. A second series showed these qualities in a less degree. He also _pub._ an anthology of sacred poetry.
PALTOCK, ROBERT (1697-1767).–Novelist, was an attorney, and wrote _The Life and Adventures of Peter Wilkins, a Cornish Man_ (1751), admired by Scott, Coleridge, and Lamb. It is somewhat on the same plan as _Robinson Crusoe_, the special feature being the _gawry_, or flying woman, whom the hero discovered on his island, and married. The description of Nosmnbdsgrutt, the country of the flying people, is a dull imitation of Swift, and much else in the book is tedious.
PARDOE, JULIA (1806-1862).–Novelist and miscellaneous writer, _b._ at Beverley, showed an early bias towards literature, and became a voluminous and versatile writer, producing in addition to her lively and well-written novels many books of travel, and others dealing with historical subjects. She was a keen observer, and her Oriental travels had given her an accurate and deep knowledge of the peoples and manners of the East. Among her books are _The City of the Sultan_ (1836), _Romance of the Harem_, _Thousand and One Days_, _Louis XIV. and the Court of France_, _Court of Francis I._, etc.
PARIS, MATTHEW (_c._ 1195-1259).–Chronicler, entered in 1217 the Benedictine Monastery of St. Albans, and continued the work of Roger de Wendover (_q.v._) as chronicler of the monastery. In 1248 he went on the invitation of Hacon King of Norway to reform the Abbey of St. Benet Holm. In this he was successful, and on his return to England enjoyed the favour of Henry III., who conversed familiarly with him, and imparted information as to matters of state, which constitutes a valuable element in his histories. He had a high reputation for piety and learning, was a patriotic Englishman, and resisted the encroachments of Rome. His chief work is _Historia Major_, from the Conquest until 1259. In it he embodied the _Flores Historiarum_ of his predecessor Roger, and the original part is a bold and vigorous narrative of the period (1235-59). He also wrote _Historia Minor_ and _Historia Anglorum_, a summary of the events (1200-1250).
PARK, MUNGO (1771-1806).–Traveller, _b._ near Selkirk, studied medicine at Edin. As a surgeon in the mercantile marine he visited Sumatra, and on his return attracted the attention of various scientific men by his botanical and zoological investigations. In 1795 he entered the service of the African Association, and made a voyage of discovery on the Niger. His adventures were _pub._ in _Travels in the Interior of Africa_ (1799), which had great success. He _m._ and set up in practice in Peebles; but in 1805 accepted an invitation by Government to undertake another journey in Africa. From this he never returned, having perished in a conflict with natives. His narratives, written in a straightforward and pleasing style, are among the classics of travel.
PARKER, THEODORE (1810-1860).–Theologian, _b._ at Lexington, Massachusetts, _ed._ at Harvard, was an indefatigable student, and made himself master of many languages. In 1837 he was settled at West Roxbury as a Unitarian minister, but the development of his views in a rationalistic direction gradually separated him from the more conservative portion of his co-religionists. He lectured on theological subjects in Boston in 1841, travelled in Europe, and in 1845 settled in Boston, where he lectured to large audiences, and exercised a wide influence. He took a leading part in the anti-slavery crusade, and specially in resisting the Fugitive Slave Act. In 1859 his health, which had never been robust, gave way; he went to Italy in search of restoration, but _d._ at Florence. Although he was a powerful theological and social influence, his writings are not of corresponding importance: it was rather as a speaker that he influenced his countrymen, and he left no contribution to literature of much permanent account, though his _coll._ works fill 14 vols. Among the most outstanding of his writings are _A Discourse of Matters Pertaining to Religion_, and _Sermons for the Times_.
PARKMAN, FRANCIS (1823-1893).–Historian, _s._ of a Unitarian minister in Boston, Massachusetts, graduated at Harvard, and qualified as a lawyer, but never practised, and though hampered by a state of health which forbade continuous application, and by partial blindness, devoted himself to the writing of the history of the conflict between France and England in North America. This he did in a succession of works–_The Conspiracy of Pontiac_ (1851), _The Pioneers of France in the New World_ (1865), _The Jesuits in North America_ (1867), _La Salle and the Discovery of the Great West_ (1869), _The Old Regime in Canada_ (1874), _Count Frontenac and New France_ (1877), _Montcalm and Wolfe_ (1884), and _A Half Century of Conflict_ (1892). In these the style, at first somewhat turgid, gradually improved, and became clear and forcible, while retaining its original vividness. P. spared no labour in collecting and sifting his material, much of which was gathered in the course of visits to the places which were the scenes of his narrative, and his books are the most valuable contribution in existence to the history of the struggle for Canada and the other French settlements in North America. He also wrote two novels, which had little success, and a book upon rose-culture.
PARNELL, THOMAS (1679-1718).–Poet, _b._ and _ed._ in Dublin, took orders in 1700, and was Vicar of Finglas and Archdeacon of Clogher. The death of his young wife in 1706 drove him into intemperate habits. He was a friend of Swift and Pope, a contributor to the _Spectator_, and aided Pope in his translation of the _Iliad_. He wrote various isolated poems showing a fine descriptive touch, of which the most important are _The Hermit_, _The Night Piece_, and _The Hymn to Contentment_. P. was a scholar, and had considerable social gifts. His Life was written by Goldsmith.
PARR, DR. SAMUEL (1747-1825).–Scholar, _s._ of an apothecary at Harrow, where and at Camb. he was _ed._ He was successively an assistant-master at Harrow and headmaster of schools at Colchester and Norwich, and having taken orders, finally settled down at Hatton, Warwickshire, where he took private pupils. He was undoubtedly a great Latinist, but he has left no work to account for the immense reputation for ability which he enjoyed during his life. His chief power appears to have been in conversation, in which he was bold, arrogant, and epigrammatic. He was nicknamed “the Whig Johnson,” but fell very far short of his model. His writings, including correspondence, were _pub._ in 8 vols.
PATER, WALTER HORATIO (1839-1894).–Essayist and critic, _s._ of Richard G.P., of American birth and Dutch extraction, a benevolent physician, _b._ at Shadwell, and _ed._ at the King’s School, Canterbury, and at Queen’s Coll., Oxf., after leaving which he made various tours in Germany and Italy where, especially in the latter, his nature, keenly sensitive to every form of beauty, received indelible impressions. In 1864 he was elected a Fellow of Brasenose, and in its ancient and austere precincts found his principal home. As a tutor, though conscientious, he was not eminently successful; nevertheless his lectures, on which he bestowed much pains, had a fit audience, and powerfully influenced a few select souls. He resigned his tutorship in 1880, partly because he found himself not entirely in his element, and partly because literature was becoming the predominant interest in his life. In 1885 he went to London, where he remained for 8 years, continuing, however, to reside at Brasenose during term. The reputation as a writer which he had gained made him welcome in whatever intellectual circles he found himself. Leaving London in 1893 he settled in a house in St. Giles, Oxf. In the spring of 1894 he went to Glasgow to receive the honorary degree of LL.D., a distinction which he valued. In the summer he had an attack of rheumatic fever, followed by pleurisy. From these he had apparently recovered, but he succumbed to an attack of heart-failure which immediately supervened. Thus ended prematurely in its 55th year a life as bare of outward events as it was rich in literary fruit and influence.
P. is one of the greatest modern masters of style, and one of the subtlest and most penetrating of critics. Though not a philosopher in the technical sense, he deeply pondered the subjects with which philosophy sets itself to deal; but art was the dominating influence in his intellectual life, and it was said of him that “he was a philosopher who had gone to Italy by mistake instead of to Germany.” He may also be called the prophet of the modern aesthetic school. His attitude to Christianity, though deeply sceptical, was not unsympathetic. As a boy he came under the influence of Keble, and at one time thought of taking orders, but his gradual change of view led him to relinquish the idea. Among his works may be mentioned an article on Coleridge, and others on Winckelmann, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, etc., which were _coll._ and _pub._ as _Studies in the History of the Renaissance_ (1873); _Appreciations_ (1889) contained his great essays on _AEsthetic Poetry_ and _Style_, various Shakespearian studies and papers on Lamb and Sir T. Browne; _Imaginary Portraits_, and _Greek Studies_ (1894); _Plato and Platonism_ (1893). His masterpiece, however, is _Marius the Epicurean_ (1885), a philosophical romance of the time of Marcus Aurelius. The style of P. is characterised by a subdued richness, and complicated, but perfect structure of sentences. In character he was gentle, refined, and retiring, with a remarkable suavity of manner and dislike of controversy.
PATMORE, COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON (1823-1896).–Poet, _s._ of Peter George P., also an author, _b._ at Woodford, Essex, was in the printed book department of the British Museum. He _pub._ _Tamerton Church Tower_ (1853), and between 1854 and 1862 the four poems which, combined, form his masterpiece, _The Angel in the House_, a poetic celebration of married love. In 1864 he entered the Church of Rome. Thereafter he _pub._ _The Unknown Eros_ (1877), _Amelia_ (1878), and _Rod, Root, and Flower_ (1895), meditations chiefly on religious subjects. His works are full of graceful and suggestive thought, but occasionally suffer from length and discursiveness. He was successful in business matters, and in character was energetic, masterful, and combative. He numbered Tennyson and Ruskin among his friends, was associated with the pre-Raphaelites, and was a contributor to their organ, the _Germ_.
PATTISON, MARK (1813-1884).–Scholar and biographer, _b._ at Hornby, Yorkshire, _s._ of a clergyman, _ed._ privately and at Oxf., where in 1839 he became Fellow of Lincoln Coll., and acquired a high reputation as a tutor and examiner. At first strongly influenced by Newman and the Tractarian movement, he ultimately abandoned that school. In 1851, failing to be elected head of his coll., he threw up his tutorship, and devoted himself to severe study, occasionally writing on educational subjects in various reviews. In 1861, however, he attained the object of his ambition, being elected Rector of Lincoln Coll. In 1883 he dictated a remarkable autobiography, coming down to 1860. In 1875 he had _pub._ a _Life of Isaac Casaubon_, and he left materials for a Life of Scaliger, which he had intended to be his _magnum opus_. He also wrote _Milton_ for the English Men of Letters Series, and produced an ed. of his sonnets.
PAULDING, JAMES KIRKE (1779-1860).–Novelist, etc., _b._ in the state of New York, was chiefly self-educated. He became a friend of W. Irving, and was part author with him of _Salmagundi_–a continuation of which by himself proved a failure. Among his other writings are _John Bull and Brother Jonathan_ (1812), a satire, _The Dutchman’s Fireside_ (1831), a romance which attained popularity, a _Life of Washington_ (1835), and some poems.
PAYN, JAMES (1830-1898).–Novelist, _s._ of an official in the Thames Commission, _ed._ at Eton, Woolwich, and Camb. He was a regular contributor to _Household Words_ and to _Chambers’s Journal_, of which he was ed. 1859-74, and in which several of his works first appeared; he also ed. the _Cornhill Magazine_ 1883-96. Among his novels–upwards of 60 in number–may be mentioned _Lost Sir Massingberd_, _The Best of Husbands_, _Walter’s Word_, _By Proxy_ (1878), _A Woman’s Vengeance_, _Carlyon’s Year_, _Thicker than Water_, _A Trying Patient_, etc. He also wrote a book of poems and a volume of literary reminiscences.
PEACOCK, THOMAS LOVE (1785-1866).–Novelist, _b._ at Weymouth, the only child of a London merchant, was in boyhood at various schools, but from the age of 13 self-educated. Nevertheless, he became a really learned scholar. He was for long in the India Office, where he rose to be Chief Examiner, coming between James Mill and John Stuart Mill. He was the author of several somewhat whimsical, but quite unique novels, full of paradox, prejudice, and curious learning, with witty dialogue and occasional poems interspersed. Among them are _Headlong Hall_ (1816), _Nightmare Abbey_ (1818), _Maid Marian_ (1822), _Misfortunes of Elphin_ (1829), _Crotchet Castle_ (1831), and _Gryll Grange_ (1860). He was the intimate friend of Shelley, memoirs of whom he contributed to _Fraser’s Magazine_.
PEARSON, CHARLES HENRY (1830-1894).–_B._ at Islington, _ed._ at Rugby and King’s Coll., London, at the latter he became Prof. of Modern History. Owing to a threatened failure of sight he went to Australia, where he remained for 20 years, and was for a time Minister of Education of Victoria. Returning to England in 1892 he wrote his _National Life and Character: a Forecast_, in which he gave utterance to very pessimistic views as to the future of the race. He also wrote a _History of England during the Early and Middle Ages_ (1867).
PEARSON, JOHN (1613-1686).–Theologian, _s._ of an archdeacon of Suffolk, _b._ at Great Snoring, Norfolk, _ed._ at Eton and Camb., took orders, and after holding various preferments, including the archdeaconry of Surrey, the mastership of Jesus Coll., and of Trinity Coll., Camb., was made, in 1673, Bishop of Chester. His _Exposition of the Creed_ (1659) has always been regarded as one of the most finished productions of English theology, remarkable alike for logical argument and arrangement, and lucid style. He was also the author of other learned works, including a defence of the authenticity of the epistles of Ignatius. In his youth P. was a Royalist, and acted in 1645 as a chaplain in the Royal army. He was one of the commissioners in the Savoy Conference.
PECOCK, REGINALD (1395?-1460?).–Theologian, _b._ in Wales, entered the Church, and rose to be successively Bishop of St. Asaph 1444, and of Chichester 1450. He was a strenuous controversialist, chiefly against the Lollards; but his free style of argument, and especially his denial of the infallibility of the Church, led him into trouble, and on being offered the choice of abjuration or death at the stake, he chose the former, but nevertheless was deprived of his bishopric, had his books burned, and spent his latter days in the Abbey of Thorney, Cambridgeshire. His chief work is _The Repressor of overmuch blaming of the Clergy_ (1455), which, from its clear, pointed style, remains a monument of 15th century English. _The Book of Faith_ (1456) is another of his writings.
PEELE, GEORGE (1558?-1597?).–Dramatist and poet, _s._ of a salter in London, _ed._ at Christ’s Hospital and Oxf., where he had a reputation as a poet. Coming back to London about 1581 he led a dissipated life. He appears to have been a player as well as a playwright, and to have come into possession of some land through his wife. His works are numerous and consist of plays, pageants, and miscellaneous verse. His best plays are _The Arraignment of Paris_ (1584), and _The Battle of Alcazar_ (1594), and among his poems _Polyhymnia_ (1590), and _The Honour of the Garter_ (1593). Other works are _Old Wives’ Tale_ (1595), and _David and Fair Bethsabe_ (1599). P. wrote in melodious and flowing blank verse, with abundance of fancy and brilliant imagery, but his dramas are weak in construction, and he is often bombastic and extravagant.
PENN, WILLIAM (1644-1718).–Quaker apologist, _s._ of Sir William P., a celebrated Admiral, was _b._ in London, and _ed._ at Oxf., where he became a Quaker, and was in consequence expelled from the Univ. His change of views and his practice of the extremest social peculiarities imposed by his principles led to a quarrel with his _f._, who is said to have turned him out of doors. Thereafter he began to write, and one of his books, _The Sandy Foundation Shaken_ (_c._ 1668), in which he attacked the doctrines of the Trinity, the atonement, and justification by faith, led to his being, in 1668, imprisoned in the Tower, where he wrote his most popular work, _No Cross, No Crown_ (1668), and a defence of his own conduct, _Innocency with her Open Face_ (1668), which resulted in his liberation. Shortly after this, in 1670, on the death of his _f._, who had been reconciled to him, P. succeeded to a fortune, including a claim against the Government amounting to L15,000, which was ultimately in 1681 settled by a grant of the territory now forming the state of Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, however, he had again suffered imprisonment for preaching, and employed his enforced leisure in writing four treatises, of which one, _The Great Cause of Liberty of Conscience_ (_c._ 1671), is an able defence of religious toleration. In 1682, having obtained the grant above referred to, he set sail for America, with the view of founding a community based upon the principles of toleration. Having established a Constitution and set matters in working order there, P. returned to England in 1684 and busied himself in efforts for the relief of those Quakers who had remained at home. The peculiar position of affairs when James II. was endeavouring to use the Dissenters as a means of gaining concessions to the Roman Catholics favoured his views, and he was to some extent successful in his efforts. His connection with the Court at that time has, however, led to his conduct being severely animadverted upon by Macaulay and others. In 1690 and for some time thereafter he was charged with conspiring against the Revolution Government, but after full investigation was completely acquitted. His later years were embittered by troubles in Pennsylvania, and by the dishonesty and ingratitude of an agent by whose defalcations he was nearly ruined, as a consequence of which he was imprisoned for debt. He _d._ soon after his release in 1718.
PENNANT, THOMAS (1726-1798).–Naturalist and traveller, _b._ in Flintshire, and _ed._ at Oxf., was one of the most distinguished naturalists of the 18th century, and _pub._, among other works on natural history, _British Zoology_ (1768), and _History of Quadrupeds_ (1781). In literature he is, however, best remembered by his _Tours in Scotland_ (1771-75), which did much to make known the beauties of the country to England. He also travelled in Ireland and Wales, and on the Continent, and _pub._ accounts of his journeys. Dr. Johnson said of him, “he observes more things than any one else does.”
PEPYS, SAMUEL (1633-1703).–Diarist, _s._ of John P., a London tailor, but of good family and connected with Sir E. Montague, afterwards Earl of Sandwich, was _ed._ at St. Paul’s School and at Camb. After leaving the Univ. he entered the household of Montagu, who became his life long patron. He held various Government posts, including that of Surveyor-General of the Victualling Office, in which he displayed great administrative ability and reforming zeal, and in 1672 he became Sec. of the Admiralty. After being imprisoned in the Tower on a charge in connection with the Popish plot, and deprived of his office, he was in 1686 again appointed Sec. of the Admiralty, from which, however, he was dismissed at the Revolution. Thereafter he lived in retirement chiefly at Clapham. P. was a man of many interests, combining the characters of the man of business, man of pleasure, and _virtuoso_, being skilled in music and a collector of books, manuscripts, and pictures, and he was Pres. of the Royal Society for two years. He wrote _Memoirs of the Royal Navy_ (1690), but his great legacy to literature is his unique and inimitable _Diary_, begun January 1, 1660, and coming down to May 31, 1669, when the failure of his sight prevented its further continuance. As an account by an eye-witness of the manners of the Court and of society it is invaluable, but it is still more interesting as, perhaps, the most singular example extant of unreserved self-revelation–all the foibles, peccadilloes, and more serious offences against decorum of the author being set forth with the most relentless _naivete_ and minuteness, it was written in a cypher or shorthand, which was translated into long-hand by John Smith in 1825, and ed. by Lord Braybrooke, with considerable excisions. Later and fuller ed. have followed. P. left his books, MSS., and collections to Magdalene Coll., Camb., where they are preserved in a separate library.
PERCIVAL, JAMES GATES (1795-1854).–Poet, _b._ at Berlin, Conn., was a precocious child, and a morbid and impractical, though versatile man, with a fatal facility in writing verse on all manner of subjects and in nearly every known metre. His sentimentalism appealed to a wide circle, but his was one of the tapers which were extinguished by Lowell. He had also a reputation as a geologist. His poetic works include _Prometheus_ and _The Dream of a Day_ (1843).
PERCY, THOMAS (1729-1811).–Antiquary and poet, _s._ of a grocer at Bridgnorth, where he was _b._, _ed._ at Oxf., entered the Church, and became in 1778 Dean of Carlisle, and in 1782 Bishop of Dromore. He _pub._ various antiquarian works, chiefly with reference to the North of England; but is best remembered for his great service to literature in collecting and ed. many ancient ballads, _pub._ in 1765 as _Reliques of Ancient Poetry_, which did much to bring back interest in the ancient native literature, and to usher in the revival of romanticism.
PHILIPS, AMBROSE (1675?-1749).–Poet, _b._ in Shropshire and _ed._ at Camb., wrote pastorals and dramas, was one of the Addison circle, and started a paper, the _Freethinker_, in imitation of the _Spectator_. He also made translations from Pindar and Anacreon, and a series of short complimentary verses, which gained for him the nickname of “Namby Pamby.” His _Pastorals_, though poor enough, excited the jealousy of Pope, who pursued the unfortunate author with life-long enmity. P. held various Government appointments in Ireland.
PHILIPS, JOHN (1676-1709).–Poet, _s._ of an archdeacon of Salop, and _ed._ at Oxf. His _Splendid Shilling_, a burlesque in Miltonic blank verse, still lives, and _Cyder_, his chief work, an imitation of Virgil’s _Georgics_, has some fine descriptive passages. P. was also employed by Harley to write verses on Blenheim as a counterblast to Addison’s _Campaign_. He _d._ at 33 of consumption.
PHILLIPS, SAMUEL (1814-1854).–Novelist, of Jewish descent, studied for the Church at Goettingen and Camb., but his _f._ dying, he was obliged to give up his intention and take to business, in which, however, he was unsuccessful, and fell into great straits. He then tried writing, and produced some novels, of which the best known was _Caleb Stukely_, which appeared in _Blackwood_ in 1842. He was latterly a leader-writer for the _Times_.
PICKEN, ANDREW (1788-1833).–Miscellaneous writer, _b._ in Paisley, was in business in the West Indies, and in Glasgow and Liverpool, but not being successful, went to London to try his fortunes in literature. His earlier writings, _Tales and Sketches of the West of Scotland_ and _The Sectarian_ (1829), gave offence in dissenting circles: his next, _The Dominie’s Legacy_ (1830), had considerable success, and a book on _Travels and Researches of Eminent Missionaries_ (1830) did something to rehabilitate him with those whom he had offended. His last work, _The Black Watch_ (1833), had just appeared when he _d._ of an apoplectic seizure. His best work is somewhat like that of Galt (_q.v._).
PIERPONT, JOHN (1785-1860).–Poet, _b._ at Litchfield, Conn., was first a lawyer, then a merchant, and lastly a Unitarian minister. His chief poem is _The Airs of Palestine_.
PIKE, ALBERT (1809-1891).–Poet, _b._ at Boston, Mass., was in his early days a teacher, and afterwards a successful lawyer. His now little-remembered poems were chiefly written under the inspiration of Coleridge and Keats. His chief work, _Hymns to the Gods_, which appeared in _Blackwood’s Magazine_, closely imitates the latter. He also wrote prose sketches.
PINDAR, PETER, (_see_ WOLCOT, J.).
PINKERTON, JOHN (1758-1826).–Historian and Antiquary, _b._ in Edin., was apprenticed to a lawyer, but took to literature, and produced a number of works distinguished by painstaking research, but disfigured by a controversial and prejudiced spirit. His first publication was _Select Scottish Ballads_ (1783), some of which, however, were composed by himself. A valuable _Essay on Medals_ (1784) introduced him to Gibbon and Horace Walpole. Among his other works are _Ancient Scottish Poems_ (1786), _Dissertation on the Goths_ (1787), _Medallic History of England_ (1790), _History of Scotland_ (1797), and his best work, _Treatise on Rocks_ (1811). One of his most inveterate prejudices was against Celts of all tribes and times. He _d._ in obscurity in Paris.
PINKNEY, EDWARD COATE (1802-1828).–_B._ in London, where his _f._ was U.S. ambassador. He wrote a number of light, graceful short poems, but fell a victim to ill-health and a morbid melancholy at 25. His longest poem is _Rudolph_ (1825).
PIOZZI, HESTER LYNCH (SALUSBURY) (1741-1821).–Miscellaneous writer, _m._ Henry Thrale, a wealthy brewer, and, after his death, Gabriel Piozzi, an Italian musician. Her chief distinction is her friendship with Dr. Johnson, who was for a time almost domesticated with the Thrales. Her second marriage in the year of Johnson’s death, 1784, broke up the friendship. She wrote _Anecdotes of Dr. Johnson_, a work which had a favourable reception, and gives a lifelike picture of its subject, and left an _Autobiography_. Her poem, _The Three Warnings_, is supposed to have been touched up by Johnson. Many details of her friendship with J. are given in the _Diary_ of Madame D’Arblay (_q.v._).
PLANCHE, JAMES ROBINSON (1796-1880).–Dramatist and miscellaneous writer, _b._ in London of Huguenot descent, was in the Herald Office, and rose to be Somerset Herald, in which capacity he was repeatedly sent on missions to invest foreign princes with the Order of the Garter. He produced upwards of 90 adaptations, and about 70 original pieces for the stage. He also wrote a _History of British Costumes_, _The Pursuivant of Arms_ (1852), and _The Conqueror and his Companions_ (1874), besides autobiographical _Recollections_ (1872).
POE, EDGAR ALLAN (1809-1849).–Poet and writer of tales, was _b._ at Boston, where his parents, who were both actors, were temporarily living. He was left an orphan in early childhood in destitute circumstances, but was adopted by a Mr. Allan of Richmond, Virginia. By him and his wife he was treated with great indulgence, and in 1815 accompanied them to England, where they remained for five years, and where he received a good education, which was continued on their return to America, at the Univ. of Virginia. He distinguished himself as a student, but got deeply into debt with gaming, which led to his being removed. In 1829 he _pub._ a small vol. of poems containing _Al Araaf_ and _Tamerlane_. About the same time he proposed to enter the army, and was placed at the Military Academy at West Point. Here, however, he grossly neglected his duties, and fell into the habits of intemperance which proved the ruin of his life, and was in 1831 dismissed. He then returned to the house of his benefactor, but his conduct was so objectionable as to lead to a rupture. In the same year P. _pub._ an enlarged ed. of his poems, and in 1833 was successful in a competition for a prize tale and a prize poem, the tale being the _MS. found in a Bottle_, and the poem _The Coliseum_. In the following year Mr. Allan _d._ without making any provision for P., and the latter, being now thrown on his own resources, took to literature as a profession, and became a contributor to various periodicals. In 1836 he entered into a marriage with his cousin Virginia Clemm, a very young girl, who continued devotedly attached to him notwithstanding his many aberrations, until her death in 1847. _The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym_ appeared in 1838, and in 1839 P. became ed. of the _Gentleman’s Magazine_, in which appeared as _Tales of the Arabesque and Grotesque_ many of his best stories. In 1845 his famous poem, _The Raven_, came out, and in 1848 _Eureka, a Prose Poem_, a pseudo-scientific lucubration. The death of his wife gave a severe shock to his constitution, and a violent drinking bout on a visit to Baltimore led to his death from brain fever in the hospital there. The literary output of P., though not great in volume, limited in range, and very unequal in merit, bears the stamp of an original genius. In his poetry he sometimes aims at a musical effect to which the sense is sacrificed, but at times he has a charm and a magic melody all his own. His better tales are remarkable for their originality and ingenuity of construction, and in the best of them he rises to a high level of imagination, as in _The House of Usher_, while _The Gold Beetle_ or _Golden Bug_ is one of the first examples of the cryptogram story; and in _The Purloined Letters_, _The Mystery of Marie Roget_, and _The Murders in the Rue Morgue_ he is the pioneer of the modern detective story.
_Life_, Woodberry (American Men of Letters). _Works_ ed. by Woodberry and Stedman (10 vols.), etc.
POLLOK, ROBERT (1789-1827).–Poet, _b._ in Refrewshire, studied for the ministry of one of the Scottish Dissenting communions. After leaving the Univ. of Glasgow he _pub._ anonymously _Tales of the Covenanters_, and in 1827, the year of his untimely death from consumption, appeared his poem, _The Course of Time_, which contains some fine passages, and occasionally faintly recalls Milton and Young. The poem went through many ed. in Britain and America. He _d._ at Shirley, near Southampton, whither he had gone in search of health.
POMFRET, JOHN (1667-1702).–Poet, _s._ of a clergyman, entered the Church. He wrote several rather dull poems, of which the only one remembered, though now never read, is _The Choice_, which celebrates a country life free from care, and was highly popular in its day.
POPE, ALEXANDER (1688-1744).–Poet, was _b._ in London, of Roman Catholic parentage. His _f._ was a linen-merchant, who _m._ as his second wife Edith Turner, a lady of respectable Yorkshire family, and of some fortune, made a competence, and retired to a small property at Binfield, near Windsor. P. received a somewhat desultory education at various Roman Catholic schools, but after the age of 12, when he had a severe illness brought on by over-application, he was practically self-educated. Though never a profound or accurate scholar, he had a good knowledge of Latin, and a working acquaintance with Greek. By 1704 he had written a good deal of verse, which attracted the attention of Wycherley (_q.v._), who introduced him to town life and to other men of letters. In 1709 his _Pastorals_ were _pub._ in Tonson’s _Miscellany_, and two years later _The Essay on Criticism_ appeared, and was praised by Addison. The _Rape of the Lock_, which came out in 1714, placed his reputation on a sure foundation, and thereafter his life was an uninterrupted and brilliant success. His industry was untiring, and his literary output almost continuous until his death. In 1713 _Windsor Forest_ (which won him the friendship of Swift) and _The Temple of Fame_ appeared, and in 1715 the translation of the _Iliad_ was begun, and the work _pub._ at intervals between that year and 1720. It had enormous popularity, and brought the poet L5000. It was followed by the _Odyssey_ (1725-26), in which he had the assistance of Broome and Fenton (_q.v._), who, especially the former, caught his style so exactly as almost to defy identification. It also was highly popular, and increased his gains to about L8000, which placed him in a position of independence. While engaged upon these he removed to Chiswick, where he lived 1716-18, and where he issued in 1717 a _coll._ ed. of his works, including the _Elegy on an Unfortunate Lady_ and the _Epistle of Eloisa to Abelard_. In 1718, his _f._ having _d._, he again removed with his mother to his famous villa at Twickenham, the adornment of the grounds of which became one of his chief interests, and where, now the acknowledged chief of his art, he received the visits of his friends, who included the most distinguished men of letters, wits, statesmen, and beauties of the day. His next task was his ed. of Shakespeare (1725), a work for which he was not well qualified, though the preface is a fine piece of prose. The _Miscellanies_, the joint work of Pope and Swift, were _pub._ in 1727-28, and drew down upon the authors a storm of angry comment, which in turn led to the production of _The Dunciad_, first _pub._ in 1728, and again with new matter in 1729, an additional book–the fourth–being added in 1742. In it he satirised with a wit, always keen and biting, often savage and unfair, the small wits and poetasters, and some of a quite different quality, who had, or whom he supposed to have, injured him. Between 1731 and 1735 he produced his _Epistles_, the last of which, addressed to Arbuthnot, is also known as the _Prologue to the Satires_, and contains his ungrateful character of Addison under the name of “Atticus;” and also, 1733, the _Essay on Man_, written under the influence of Bolingbroke. His last, and in some respects best, works were his _Imitations of Horace_, _pub._ between 1733 and 1739, and the fourth book of _The Dunciad_ (1742), already mentioned. A naturally delicate constitution, a deformed body, extreme sensitiveness, over-excitement, and overwork did not promise a long life, and P. _d._ on May 30, 1744, aged 56.
His position as a poet has been the subject of much contention among critics, and on the whole is lower than that assigned him by his contemporaries and immediate successors. Of the higher poetic qualities, imagination, sympathy, insight, and pathos, he had no great share; but for the work which in his original writings, as distinguished from translations, he set himself to do, his equipment was supreme, and the medium which he used–the heroic couplet–he brought to the highest technical perfection of which it is capable. He wrote for his own age, and in temper and intellectual and spiritual outlook, such as it was, he exactly reflected and interpreted it. In the forging of condensed, pointed, and sparkling maxims of life and criticism he has no equal, and in painting a portrait Dryden alone is his rival; while in the _Rape of the Lock_ he has produced the best mock-heroic poem in existence. Almost no author except Shakespeare is so often quoted. His extreme vanity and sensitiveness to criticism made him often vindictive, unjust, and venomous. They led him also into frequent quarrels, and lost him many friends, including Lady M. Wortley Montagu, and along with a strong tendency to finesse and stratagem, of which the circumstances attending the publication of his literary correspondence is the chief instance, make his character on the whole an unamiable one. On the other hand, he was often generous; he retained the friendship of such men as Swift and Arbuthnot, and he was a most dutiful and affectionate son.
SUMMARY.–_B._ 1688, _ed._ at various Romanist schools, introduced to Wycherley 1704, _pub._ _Pastorals_ 1709, _Essay on Criticism_ 1711, _Rape of the Lock_ 1714, _Windsor Forest_ and _Temple of Fame_ 1713, translation of _Iliad_ 1715-20, _Odyssey_ 1725-26, _coll._ _Works_ 1717, buys villa at Twickenham 1718, _pub._ ed. of _Shakespeare_ 1725, _Miscellanies_ 1727-28, _Dunciad_ 1728 (fourth book 1742), _Epistles_ 1731-35, _Essay on Man_ 1733, _Imitations of Horace_ 1733-39, _d._ 1744.
The best ed. of the _Works_ is that of Elwin and Courthope, with _Life_ by Courthope (10 vols., 1871-89).
PORDAGE, SAMUEL (1633-1691?).–Poet, _s._ of a clergyman in Berks, _ed._ at Merchant Taylor’s School, studied law at Lincoln’s Inn, and made various translations, wrote some poems, two tragedies, _Herod and Mariamne_ (1673), and _The Siege of Babylon_ (1678), and a romance, _Eliana_. He is best known by his _Azaria and Hushai_ (1682), in reply to Dryden’s _Absalom and Achitophel_, distinguished from the other replies by its moderation and freedom from scurrility.
PORSON, RICHARD (1759-1808).–Scholar, _s._ of the parish clerk of E. Ruston, Norfolk, was distinguished from childhood by a marvellous tenacity of memory which attracted the attention of the curate of the parish, who _ed._ him, after which he was sent by a gentleman to Eton. Subsequently a fund was collected for the purpose of maintaining him at Camb., where he had a brilliant career, and became a Fellow of Trinity Coll. This position he lost by refusing to take orders. In 1792 he was appointed Prof. of Greek in the Univ., but resided for the most part in London, where he was much courted by literary men, but unfortunately fell into extremely intemperate habits. P. was one of the very greatest of Greek scholars and critics; but he has left little permanent work of his own. He ed. four plays of Euripides, viz., _Hecuba_, _Orestes_, _Phoenissae_, and _Medea_. His most widely read work was his _Letters_ to Archdeacon Travis on the disputed passage, 1 John v. 7, which is considered a masterpiece of acute reasoning. He is buried in the chapel of Trinity Coll.
PORTER, ANNA MARIA (1780-1832), PORTER, JANE (1776-1850).–Novelists, were the _dau._ of an Irish army surgeon, and sisters of Sir Robert Ker P., the painter and traveller. After the death of the _f._ the family settled in Edin., where they enjoyed the friendship of Scott. ANNA at the age of 12 _pub._ _Artless Tales_, the precursor of a series of tales and novels numbering about 50, the best being _Don Sebastian_ (1809). JANE, though the elder by four years, did not _pub._ until 1803, when her first novel, _Thaddeus of Warsaw_, appeared. _The Scottish Chiefs_ followed in 1810. Both of these works, especially the latter, had remarkable popularity, the _Chiefs_ being translated into German and Russian. She had greater talent than her sister, but like her, while possessed of considerable animation and imagination, failed in grasping character, and imparting local verisimilitude. Both were amiable and excellent women. A romance, _Sir Edward Seaward’s Diary_ (1831), purporting to be a record of actual circumstances, and ed. by Jane, is generally believed to have been written by a brother, Dr. William Ogilvie P.
POWELL, FREDERICK YORK (1850-1904).–Historian, _ed._ at Rugby and Oxf., called to the Bar at the Middle Temple 1874, became an ardent student of history, and succeeded Froude as Prof. of Modern History at Oxf. in 1894. Absorbed in study, he wrote less than his wide and deep learning qualified him for. Among his works are _A History of England to_ 1509, and he also wrote on Early England up to the Conquest, and on Alfred and William the Conqueror.
PRAED, WINTHROP MACKWORTH (1802-1839).–Poet, _s._ of a sergeant-at-law, was _b._ in London, _ed._ at Eton and Camb., and called to the Bar 1829. He sat in Parliament for various places, and was Sec. to the Board of Control 1834-35. He appeared to have a brilliant career before him, when his health gave way, and he _d._ of consumption in 1839. His poems, chiefly bright and witty skits and satirical pieces, were _pub._ first in America 1844, and appeared in England with a memoir by Derwent Coleridge in 1864. His essays appeared in 1887.
PRESCOTT, WILLIAM HICKLING (1796-1859).–Historian, _b._ at Salem, Massachusetts, the _s._ of an eminent lawyer, was _ed._ at Harvard, where he graduated in 1814. While there he met with an accident to one of his eyes which seriously affected his sight for the remainder of his life. He made an extended tour in Europe, and on his return to America he _m._, and abandoning the idea of a legal career, resolved to devote himself to literature. After ten years of study, he _pub._ in 1837 his _History of Ferdinand and Isabella_, which at once gained for him a high place among historians. It was followed in 1843 by the _History of the Conquest of Mexico_, and in 1847 by the _Conquest of Peru_. His last work was the _History of Philip II._, of which the third vol. appeared in 1858, and which was left unfinished. In that year he had an apoplectic shock, and another in 1859 was the cause of his death, which took place on January 28 in the last-named year. In all his works he displayed great research, impartiality, and an admirable narrative power. The great disadvantage at which, owing to his very imperfect vision, he worked, makes the first of these qualities specially remarkable, for his authorities in a foreign tongue were read to him, while he had to write on a frame for the blind. P. was a man of amiable and benevolent character, and enjoyed the friendship of many of the most distinguished men in Europe as well as in America.
PRICE, RICHARD (1723-1791).–Writer on morals, politics, and economics, _s._ of a dissenting minister, was _b._ at Tynton in Wales, _ed._ at a dissenting coll. in London, and was then for some years chaplain to a Mr. Streatfield, who left him some property. Thereafter he officiated as minister to various congregations near London. In 1758 his _Review of the Principal Questions and Difficulties in Morals_, a work of considerable metaphysical power, appeared; and it was followed in 1766 by a treatise on _The Importance of Christianity_. In 1769 his work on _Reversionary Payments_ was _pub._, and his Northampton Mortality Table was about the same time constructed. These, though long superseded, were in their day most valuable contributions to economical science. His most popular work, _Observations on Civil Liberty and the Justice and Policy of the War with America_, appeared in 1776, had an enormous sale, and led to his being invited to go to America and assist in establishing the financial system of the new Government. This he declined chiefly on the score of age. Simplicity, uprightness, and toleration of opinions opposed to his own appear to have been marked traits in his character.
PRIDEAUX, HUMPHREY (1648-1724).–Divine and scholar, belonged to an ancient Cornish family, was _b._ at Padstow, and _ed._ at Westminster School and at Oxf. He first attracted notice by his description of the Arundel Marbles (1676), which gained for him powerful patrons, and he rose to be Dean of Norwich. Among his other works are a _Life of Mahomet_ (1697), and _The Old and New Testament connected in the History of the Jews and Neighbouring Nations_ (1715-17), long an important work, of which many ed. were brought out.
PRIESTLY, JOSEPH (1733-1804).–Chemist, theologian, and political writer, _s._ of a draper at Fieldhead, Yorkshire, where he was _b._ Brought up as a Calvinist, he gradually became a modified Unitarian, and after attending a dissenting academy at Daventry, he became minister to various congregations. About 1756 he _pub._ _The Scripture Doctrine of Remission_, denying the doctrine of atonement, and in 1761 succeeded Dr. Aiken as teacher of languages and _belles-lettres_ in the dissenting academy at Warrington. About the same time he became acquainted with Franklin and Dr. Price (_q.v._), and began to devote himself to science, the fruits of which were his _History and Present State of Electricity_ (1767), and _Vision, Light, and Colours_. He also became a distinguished chemist, and made important discoveries, including that of oxygen. In 1773 he travelled on the Continent as companion to Lord Shelburne, where he was introduced to many men of scientific and literary eminence, by some of whom he was rallied upon his belief in Christianity. In reply to this he wrote _Letters to a Philosophical Unbeliever_ (1774), and in answer to the accusations of Atheism brought against him at home, he _pub._ (1777) _Disquisition relating to Matter and Spirit_. In 1780 he settled in Birmingham, in 1782 _pub._ his _Corruptions of Christianity_, and in 1786 his _History of Early Opinions concerning Jesus Christ_. He was one of those who wrote replies to Burke’s _Reflections on the French Revolution_, one consequence of which was his election as a French citizen, and another the destruction of his chapel, house, papers, and instruments by a mob. Some years later he went to America, where he _d._ P. has been called the father of modern chemistry. He received many scientific and academic honours, being a member of the Royal Society, of the Academies of France, and of St. Petersburg, and an LL.D. of Edin. He was a man of powerful and original mind, of high character, and of undaunted courage in maintaining his opinions, which were usually unpopular.
PRINGLE, THOMAS (1789-1834).–Poet, _b._ in Roxburghshire, studied at Edin., and became known to Scott, by whose influence he obtained a grant of land in South Africa, to which he, with his _f._ and brothers, emigrated. He took to literary work in Cape Town, and conducted two papers, which were suppressed for their free criticisms of the Colonial Government. Thereupon he returned and settled in London, where he _pub._ _African Sketches_. He also produced a book of poems, _Ephemerides_.
PRIOR, MATTHEW (1664-1721).–Poet, _b._ near Wimborne Minster, Dorset, _s._ of a joiner who, having _d._, he was _ed._ by an uncle, and sent to Westminster School. Befriended by the Earl of Dorset he proceeded to Camb., and while there wrote, jointly with Charles Montague, _The Town and Country Mouse_, a burlesque of Dryden’s _Hind and Panther_. After holding various diplomatic posts, in which he showed ability and discretion, he entered Parliament in 1700, and, deserting the Whigs, joined the Tories, by whom he was employed in various capacities, including that of Ambassador at Paris. On the death of Queen Anne he was recalled, and in 1715 imprisoned, but after two years released. In 1719 a folio ed. of his works was brought out, by which he realised L4000, and Lord Harley having presented him with an equal sum, he looked forward to the peace and comfort which were his chief ambition. He did not, however, long enjoy his prosperity, dying two years later. Among his poems may be mentioned _Solomon_, which he considered his best work, _Alma, or the Progress of the Mind_, _The Female Phaeton_, _To a Child of Quality_, and some prose tales. His chief characteristic is a certain elegance and easy grace, in which he is perhaps unrivalled. His character appears to have been by no means unimpeachable, but he was amiable and free from any trace of vindictiveness.
PROCTER, ADELAIDE ANN (1825-1864).–Poetess, eldest _dau._ of Bryan W.P. (_q.v._). Many of her poems were first _pub._ in _Household Words_ and _All the Year Round_, and afterwards _coll._ under the title of _Legends and Lyrics_ (1858), of which many ed. appeared. In 1851 Miss P. became a Roman Catholic. She took much interest in social questions affecting women. She wrote the well-known songs, _Cleansing Fires_ and _The Lost Chord_, and among her many hymns are, _I do not ask, O Lord, that Life may be_, and _My God, I thank Thee who hast made_.
PROCTER, BRYAN WALLER (“BARRY CORNWALL”) (1787-1874).–Poet, _b._ at Leeds, and _ed._ at Harrow, went to London and practised successfully as a solicitor. Thereafter he became a barrister, and was, 1832-61, a Commissioner of Lunacy. By 1823 he had produced four vols. of poetry and a tragedy, _Mirandola_ (1821). His works include _Dramatic Scenes_ (1819), _A Sicilian Story_, _Marcian Colonna_ (1820), _The Flood of Thessaly_ (1823), and _English Songs_ (1832), which last will perhaps survive his other writings. P. was the friend of most of his literary contemporaries, and was universally beloved.
PROUT, FATHER, (_see_ MAHONY, F.S.).
PRYNNE, WILLIAM (1600-1669).–Controversial writer, _b._ near Bath, _ed._ at Oxf., studied law at Lincoln’s Inn, of which he became a bencher, but soon became immersed in the writing of controversial pamphlets. After the _Unloveliness of Lovelocks_ and _Health’s Sicknesse_ (1627-30) appeared his best known controversial work, _Histrio-Mastix_, or a _Scourge for Stage Players_ (1633), a bitter attack on most of the popular amusements of the day. It was punished with inhuman severity. P. was brought before the Star Chamber, fined L5000, pilloried, and had both his ears cut off. Undeterred by this he issued from his prison a fierce attack upon Laud and the hierarchy, for which he was again fined, pilloried, and branded on both cheeks with the letters S.L. (seditious libeller). Removed to Carnarvon Castle he remained there until liberated in 1641 by the Long Parliament. He soon after became a member of the House, and joined with extreme, but not inexcusable, rancour in the prosecution of Laud. After this he turned his attention to the Independents, whom he hated scarcely less than the Prelatists, and was among those expelled from the House of Commons by Cromwell, whom he had opposed in regard to the execution of the King with such asperity that he again suffered imprisonment, from which he was released in 1652. He supported the Restoration, and was by Charles II. appointed Keeper of the Records in the Tower. Here he did good service by compiling the _Calendar of Parliamentary Writs_ and _Records_. He _pub._ in all about 200 books and pamphlets.
PSALMANAZAR, GEORGE (1679?-1763).–Literary impostor. His real name is unknown. He is believed to have been a native of France or Switzerland, but represented himself as a native of the island of Formosa, and palmed off a Formosan language of his own construction, to which he afterwards added a description of the island. For a time he was in the military service of the Duke of Mecklenburg, and formed a connection with William Innes, chaplain of a Scottish regiment, who collaborated with him in his frauds, and introduced various refinements into his methods. Innes, however, was appointed chaplain to the forces in Portugal, and P. was unable to maintain his impositions, and was exposed. After a serious illness in 1728 he turned over a new leaf and became a respectable and efficient literary hack; his works in his latter days included a _General History of Printing_, contributions to the _Universal History_, and an _Autobiography_ containing an account of his impostures.
PURCHAS, SAMUEL (1575?-1626).–Compiler of travels, _b._ at Thaxton, and _ed._ at Camb., took orders, and held various benefices, including the rectory of St. Martin’s, Ludgate Hill. The papers of R. Hakluyt (_q.v._) came into his hands, and he made several compilations relating to man, his nature, doings, and surroundings. His three works are (1) _Purchas his Pilgrimage, or Relations of the World and the Religions observed in all Ages and Places, etc._; (2) _Purchas his Pilgrim, Microcosmus, or the History of Man, etc._; and (3) _Hakluytus Posthumus, or Purchas his Pilgrimes, containing a History of the World in Sea Voyages and Land Travels, etc._ Although credulous, diffuse, and confused, these works have preserved many interesting and curious matters which would otherwise have been lost.
PUSEY, EDWARD BOUVERIE (1800-1882).–Scholar and theologian, _b._ at Pusey, Berks, _ed._ at Eton and Oxf., belonged to the family of Lord Folkstone, whose name was Bouverie, his _f._ assuming that of P. on inheriting certain estates. After studying in Germany, he became in 1828 Regius Prof. of Hebrew at Oxf. His first important work was an _Essay on the Causes of Rationalism in German Theology_, and the arrest of similar tendencies in England became one of the leading objects of his life. He was one of the chief leaders of the Tractarian movement, and contributed tracts on _Baptism_ and on _Fasting_. In consequence of a sermon on the Eucharist, he was in 1843 suspended from the office of Univ. Preacher which he then held. Later writings related to _Confession_ and _The Doctrine of the Real Presence_, and in 1865 he issued an _Eirenicon_ in support of union with the Church of Rome. He was prominent in all movements and controversies affecting the Univ., and was foremost among the prosecutors of Jowett (_q.v._). Among his other literary labours are commentaries on Daniel and the minor Prophets, a treatise on Everlasting Punishment, and a Catalogue of the Arabic MS. in the Bodleian Library.
PUTTENHAM, GEORGE (1530?-1590).–Was one of the _s._ of Robert P., a country gentleman. There has been attributed to him the authorship of _The Arte of Poesie_, a treatise of some length divided into three parts, (1) of poets and poesy, (2) of proportion, (3) of ornament. It is now thought rather more likely that it was written by his brother RICHARD (1520?-1601). George was the author of an _Apologie_ for Queen Elizabeth’s treatment of Mary Queen of Scots.
PYE, HENRY JAMES (1745-1813).–A country gentleman of Berkshire, who _pub._ _Poems on Various Subjects_ and _Alfred, an Epic_, translated the _Poetics_ of Aristotle, and was Poet Laureate from 1790. In the last capacity he wrote official poems of ludicrous dulness, and was generally a jest and a byword in literary circles.
QUARLES, FRANCIS (1592-1644).–Poet, _b._ at the manor-house of Stewards near Romford, was at Camb., and studied law at Lincoln’s Inn. Thereafter he went to the Continent, and at Heidelberg acted as cup-bearer to Elizabeth of Bohemia, _dau._ of James I. He next appears as sec. to Archbishop Ussher in Ireland, and was in 1639 Chronologer to the City of London. On the outbreak of the Civil War he sided with the Royalists, and was plundered by the Parliamentarians of his books and rare manuscripts, which is said to have so grieved him as to bring about his death. His first book of poems was _A Feast for Worms_ (1620); others were _Hadassa_ (Esther) (1621), _Sion’s Elegies_ (1625), and _Divine Emblems_ (1635), by far his most popular book. His style was that fashionable in his day, affected, artificial, and full of “conceits,” but he had both real poetical fire and genuine wit, mixed with much that was false in taste, and though quaint and crabbed, is seldom feeble or dull. He was twice _m._, and had by his first wife 18 children.
RADCLIFFE, MRS. ANN (WARD) (1764-1823).–Novelist, only _dau._ of parents in a respectable position, in 1787 _m._ Mr. William Radcliffe, ed. and proprietor of a weekly newspaper, the _English Chronicle_. In 1789 she _pub._ her first novel, _The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne_, of which the scene is laid in Scotland. It, however, gave little promise of the future power of the author. In the following year appeared _The Sicilian Romance_, which attracted attention by its vivid descriptions and startling incidents. Next came _The Romance of the Forest_ (1791), followed by _The Mysteries of Udolpho_ (1794), and _The Italian_ (1797), a story of the Inquisition, the last of her works _pub._ during her life-time. _Gaston de Blondeville_, ed. by Sergeant Talfourd, was brought out posthumously. Mrs. R. has been called the Salvator Rosa of British novelists. She excels in the description of scenes of mystery and terror whether of natural scenery or incident: in the former displaying a high degree of imaginative power, and in the latter great ingenuity and fertility of invention. She had, however, little power of delineating character. Though her works belong to a type now out of fashion, they will always possess an historical interest as marking a stage in the development of English fiction.
“RAINE, ALLEN” (MRS. BEYNON PUDDICOMBE).–Novelist. _A Welsh Singer_ (1897), _Tom Sails_ (1898), _A Welsh Witch_ (1901), _Queen of the Rushes_ (1906), etc.
RALEIGH, SIR WALTER (1552?-1618).–Explorer, statesman, admiral, historian, and poet, _s._ of Walter R., of Fardel, Devonshire, was _b._ at Hayes Barton in that county. In 1568 he was sent to Oxf., where he greatly distinguished himself. In the next year he began his career of adventure by going to France as a volunteer in aid of the Huguenots, serving thereafter in the Low Countries. The year 1579 saw him engaged in his first voyage of adventure in conjunction with his half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert. Their object was to discover and settle lands in North America; but the expedition failed, chiefly owing to opposition by the Spaniards. The next year he was fighting against the rebels in Ireland; and shortly thereafter attracted the notice of Queen Elizabeth, in whose favour he rapidly rose. In 1584 he fitted out a new colonising expedition to North America, and succeeded in discovering and occupying Virginia, named after the Queen. On his return he was knighted. In the dark and anxious days of the Armada, 1587-88, R. was employed in organising resistance, and rendered distinguished service in action. His favour with the Queen, and his haughty bearing, had, however, been raising up enemies and rivals, and his intrigue and private marriage with Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the maids of honour, in 1593, lost him for a time the favour of the Queen. Driven from the Court he returned to the schemes of adventure which had so great a charm for him, and fired by the Spanish accounts of the fabulous wealth of Guiana, he and some of his friends fitted out an expedition which, however, though attended with various brilliant episodes, proved unsuccessful. Restored to the favour of the Queen, he was appointed an Admiral in the expeditions to Cadiz, 1596, and in the following year was engaged in an attack on the Azores, in both of which he added greatly to his reputation. The death of Elizabeth in 1603 was the turning point in R.’s fortunes. Thenceforward disaster clouded his days. The new sovereign and his old enemies combined to compass his ruin. Accused of conspiring against the former he was, against all evidence, sentenced to death, and though this was not at the time carried out, he was imprisoned in the Tower and his estates confiscated. During this confinement he composed his _History of the World_, which he brought down to 130 B.C. It is one of the finest specimens of Elizabethan prose, reflective in matter and dignified and grave in style. Released in 1615 he set out on his last voyage, again to Guiana, which, like the former, proved a failure, and in which he lost his eldest _s._ He returned a broken and dying man, but met with no pity from his ungenerous King who, urged, it is believed, by the King of Spain, had him beheaded on Tower Hill, October 29, 1618. R. is one of the most striking and brilliant figures in an age crowded with great men. Of a noble presence, he was possessed of a commanding intellect and a versatility which enabled him to shine in every enterprise to which he set himself. In addition to his great fragment the _History of the World_, he wrote _A Report of the Truth of the Fight about the Azores_, and _The Discoverie of the Empire of Guiana_, besides various poems chiefly of a philosophic cast, of which perhaps the best known are _The Pilgrimage_, and that beginning “Go, Soul, the Body’s Guest.”
The most recent _Lives_ are by Stebbing (1892), and Hume (1898). _Works_ (1829), with _Lives_ by Oldys and Birch.
RAMEE, LOUISE DE LA (“OUIDA”) (1840?-1908).–Novelist, _b._ at Bury St. Edmunds, _dau._ of an English _f._ and a French mother. For many years she lived in London, but about 1874 she went to Italy, where she _d._ She wrote over 40 novels, which had considerable popularity. Among the best known of them are _Under Two Flags_, _Puck_, _Two Little Wooden Shoes_, _In a Winter City_, _In Maremma_. She also wrote a book of stories for children, _Bimbi_. Occasionally she shows considerable power, but on the whole her writings have an unhealthy tone, want reality, and are not likely to have any permanent place in literature.
RAMSAY, ALLAN (1686-1758).–Poet, _s._ of a mine-manager at Leadhills, Dumfriesshire, who claimed kin with the Ramsays of Dalhousie. In his infancy he lost his _f._, and his mother _m._ a small “laird,” who gave him the ordinary parish school education. In 1701 he came to Edinburgh as apprentice to a wig-maker, took to writing poetry, became a member of the “Easy Club,” of which Pitcairn and Ruddiman, the grammarian, were members, and of which he was made “laureate.” The club _pub._ his poems as they were thrown off, and their appearance soon began to be awaited with interest. In 1716 he _pub._ an additional canto to _Christ’s Kirk on the Green_, a humorous poem sometimes attributed to James I., and in 1719 he became a bookseller, his shop being a meeting-place of the _literati_ of the city. A _coll._ ed. of his poems appeared in 1720, among the subscribers to which were Pope, Steele, Arbuthnot, and Gay. It was followed by _Fables and Tales_, and other poems. In 1724 he began the _Tea Table Miscellany_, a collection of new Scots songs set to old melodies, and the _Evergreen_, a collection of old Scots poems with which R. as ed. took great liberties. This was a kind of work for which he was not qualified, and in which he was far from successful. _The Gentle Shepherd_, by far his best known and most meritorious work, appeared in 1725, and had an immediate popularity which, to a certain extent, it retains. It is a pastoral drama, and abounds in character, unaffected sentiment, and vivid description. After this success R., satisfied with his reputation, produced nothing, more of importance. He was the first to introduce the circulating library into Scotland, and among his other enterprises was an unsuccessful attempt to establish a theatre in Edin. On the whole his life was a happy and successful one, and he had the advantage of a cheerful, sanguine, and contented spirit. His foible was an innocent and good-natured vanity.
RAMSAY, EDWARD BANNERMAN (1793-1872).–A clergyman of the Scottish Episcopal Church, and Dean of Edinburgh in that communion from 1841, has a place in literature by his _Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character_, which had gone through 22 ed. at his death. It is a book full of the engaging personality of the author, and preserves many interesting and entertaining traits and anecdotes which must otherwise, in all probability, have perished. The Dean was deservedly one of the most popular men in Scotland.
RANDOLPH, THOMAS (1605-1635).–Poet and dramatist, _ed._ at Westminster School and Camb., was a friend of Ben Jonson, and led a wild life in London. He wrote six plays, including _The Jealous Lovers_, _Amyntas_, and _The Muses’ Looking-glass_, and some poems. He was a scholar as well as a wit, and his plays are full of learning and condensed thought in a style somewhat cold and hard.
RAPIN DE THOYRAS, PAUL (1661-1725).–Historian, _b._ at Castres, Languedoc, belonged to a Protestant Savoyard family, and came to England on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1686. He afterwards served with William III. in Holland, and accompanied him to England in 1688. His _History of England_, written in French, was translated into English, and continued by various writers, and was the standard history until the appearance of Hume’s.
RASPE, RUDOLF ERIC- (1737-1794).–_B._ in Hanover, was a prof. in Cassel, and keeper of the Landgrave of Hesse’s antique gems and medals, in the purloining of some of which he was detected, and fled to England. Here he won for himself a certain place in English literature by the publication in 1785 of _Baron Munchausen’s Narrative_. Only a small portion of the work in its present form is by R., the rest having been added later by another hand. He appears to have maintained more or less during life his character of a rogue, and is the prototype of Douster-swivel in Scott’s _Antiquary_.
RAWLINSON, GEORGE (1812-1902).–Historian, _b._ at Chadlington. Oxfordshire, and _ed._ at Oxf., took orders, and was Canon of Canterbury from 1872. He held the Camden Professorship of Ancient History at Oxf. from 1861. Among his works are a translation of Herodotus (1858-62) (with his brother, Sir Henry R., _q.v._), _Historical Evidences of the Truth of the Scripture Records_, _The Five Great Monarchies of the Ancient Eastern World_ (1862-67), _Manual of Ancient History_ (1869), _The Sixth and Seventh Great Oriental Monarchies_ (1873-77), _History of Ancient Egypt_ (1881), _Histories of the Phoenicians and Parthians_, _Memoirs of Sir H.C. Rawlinson_ (1898).
RAWLINSON, SIR HENRY CRESSWICKE (1810-1895).–Brother of the above, entered the service of the East India Company, and held many important diplomatic posts. He studied the cuneiform inscriptions, and _pub._ _The Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia_ (1861-80), _Outlines of the History of Assyria_ (1852). He deciphered most of the inscriptions discovered by Sir A.H. Layard (_q.v._).
RAY, JOHN (1627-1705).–Naturalist, _s._ of a blacksmith at Black Notley, Essex, was at Camb., where he became a Fellow of Trinity, and successively lecturer on Greek and mathematics. His first publication was a Latin catalogue of plants growing near Cambridge, which appeared in 1660. Thereafter he made a tour of Great Britain, and _pub._ in 1670 his _Catalogue of the Plants of England and the adjacent Isles_. In 1663 he had travelled on the Continent for three years with his pupil-friend, F. Willughby, and in 1673 appeared _Observations_ on his journeys, which extended over the Low Countries, Germany, Italy, and France, with a catalogue of plants not native to England. On the death of Willughby, R. _ed._ his sons, and in 1679 retired to his native village, where he continued his scientific labours until his death. These included the ed. of W.’s _History of Birds and Fishes_, a collection of English proverbs, _Historia Plantarum Generalis_ (1686-1704), and _Synopsis Methodica Animalium_. He was for long popularly known by his treatise, _The Wisdom of God manifested in the works of the Creation_ (1691), a precursor of Paley’s _Natural Theology_. R. is the father of English botany, and appears to have grasped the idea of the natural classification of plants, afterwards developed by Jussieu and other later naturalists. His greatest successors, including Cuvier, highly commended his methods and acquirements.
READ, THOMAS BUCHANAN (1822-1872).–American poet, was a portrait-painter, and lived much abroad. He wrote a prose romance, _The Pilgrims of the Great St. Bernard_, and several books of poetry, including _The New Pastoral_, _The House by the Sea_, _Sylvia_, and _A Summer Story_. Some of the shorter pieces included in these, _e.g._, “Sheridan’s Ride,” “Drifting,” and “The Closing Scene,” have great merit.
READE, CHARLES (1814-1884).–Novelist, _s._ of a country gentleman of Oxfordshire, _ed._ at Oxf., and called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn 1843. He did not, however, practise, but began his literary career with some dramas, of which the most remarkable were _Masks and Faces_, _Gold_, and _Drink_. He afterwards rewrote the first of these as a novel, _Peg Woffington_ (1852), which attained great popularity. _It is never too late to Mend_ appeared in 1856, his historical novel, _The Cloister and the Hearth_, generally regarded as his masterpiece (1861), _Hard Cash_ (1863), _Griffith Gaunt_ (1867), _Foul Play_ (1869), _Put Yourself in his Place_ (1870), and _A Terrible Temptation_ (1871). Critics have differed very widely as to the merits of R. as a novelist, and have attributed to, and denied him the same qualities; but it will be generally admitted that, while very unequal, he was at his best a writer of unusual power and vividness. Nearly all are agreed as to the great excellence of _The Cloister and the Hearth_, Mr. Swinburne placing it “among the very greatest masterpieces of narrative.” Many of his novels were written with a view to the reformation of some abuse. Thus _Hard Cash_ exposes certain private asylums, and _Foul Play_, written in collaboration with Dion Boucicault, is levelled against ship-knackers.
REED, HENRY (1808-1854).–Critic, was Prof. of English Literature in the Univ. of Pennsylvania. He _d._ in a shipwreck. He was a sympathetic and delicate critic, and was among the first of American men of letters to appreciate the genius of Wordsworth, of whose works he brought out an ed. in 1837. His lectures on English Literature, English History, and English Poets were _pub._
REEVE, CLARA (1729-1807).–Novelist, was the author of several novels, of which only one is remembered–_The Old English Baron_ (1777), written in imitation of, or rivalry with, H. Walpole’s _Castle of Otranto_, with which it has often been printed.
REEVE, HENRY (1813-1895).–Editor, etc., _s._ of a physician, was on the staff of the _Times_, the foreign policy of which he influenced for many years. He was ed. of the _Edinburgh Review_ 1855-95, and of the Greville Memoirs 1865. He held a leading place in society, and had an unusually wide acquaintance with men of letters all over the continent.
REID, MAYNE (1818-1883).–Novelist, _b._ in the north of Ireland, he set off at the age of 20 for Mexico to push his fortunes, and went through many adventures, including service in the Mexican War. He also was for a short time settled in Philadelphia engaged in literary work. Returning to this country he began a long series of novels of adventure with _The Rifle Rangers_ (1849). The others include _The Scalp Hunters_, _Boy Hunters_, and _Young Voyagers_, and had great popularity, especially with boys.
REID, THOMAS (1710-1796).–Philosopher, was the _s._ of the minister of Strachan, Kincardineshire, where he was _b._ His mother was one of the gifted family of the Gregorys. At the age of 12 he was sent to Marischal Coll., Aberdeen, where he graduated, and thereafter resided for some time as librarian, devoting himself to study, especially of mathematics and the Newtonian philosophy. He was in 1737 ordained minister of New Machar, Aberdeen, and in 1748 he communicated to the Royal Society an _Essay on Quantity_. Four years later he became one of the Prof. of Philosophy (including mathematics and natural philosophy) in King’s Coll., Aberdeen, and in 1763 he was chosen to succeed Adam Smith as Prof. of Moral Philosophy in Glasgow. In the following year he _pub._ his great work, _Inquiry into the Human Mind on the Principles of Common Sense_, directed against Hume’s _Essay on Human Nature_. Up to the appearance of the latter work in 1739 R. had been a follower of Berkeley, but the conclusions drawn therein from the idealistic philosophy led him to revise his theories, and to propound what is usually known as the “common sense” philosophy, by which term is meant the beliefs common to rational beings as such. In 1785 he _pub._ his _Essay on the Intellectual Powers_, which was followed in 1788 by that _On the Active Powers_. R., who, though below the middle size, was strong and fond of exercise, maintained his bodily and mental vigour until his death at 86. His writings, distinguished by logical rigour of method and clearness of style, exercised a profound influence in France as well as at home; but his attempted refutation of Berkeley is now generally considered to have failed.
_Works_ ed. by Sir W. Hamilton and H.L. Mansel. Sketch by Prof. A.C. Fraser (1898).
REID, SIR THOMAS WEMYSS (1842-1905).–Novelist and biographer, _b._ at Newcastle, and after being connected with various provincial newspapers came to London in 1887 as manager for Cassell and Co. Thereafter he was, 1890-99, ed. of _The Speaker_. Among his more permanent writings are _The Land of the Bey_ (1882), _Gladys Fane_ (1883), and Lives of W.E. Forster (1888), and Lords Houghton (1891), and Playfair (1899), and William Black (1902). He was knighted in 1894.
REYNOLDS, SIR JOSHUA (1723-1792).–Painter and writer on art, _s._ of a clergyman and schoolmaster at Plympton, Devonshire. After studying art in Italy, he settled in London, where he attained extraordinary fame as a portrait-painter. He is regarded as the greatest English representative of that art, and was first Pres. of the Royal Academy. He was the intimate friend of Johnson, Burke, Goldsmith, and indeed of most of the celebrated men of his time. He has also a place in literature for his _Fifteen Discourses_ on painting, delivered to the Academy. He also contributed to the _Idler_, and translated Du Fresney’s _Art of Painting_. He suffered from deafness, and in his latter years from failure of sight. He was a man of great worth and amiability. He was knighted in 1769.
RHODES, WILLIAM BARNES (1772-1826).–Dramatist, was in the Bank of England, of which he became Chief Teller. He wrote a burlesque, _Bombastes Furioso_, which achieved great popularity.
RHYMER, THOMAS THE, (_see_ ERCILDOUN).
RICARDO, DAVID (1772-1823).–Political economist, _s._ of a Jewish stockbroker, himself followed the same business, in which he acquired a large fortune. On his marriage he conformed to Christianity. He was an original and powerful writer on economic subjects, his chief work being _The Principles of Political Economy and Taxation_ (1817). After retiring from business he entered the House of Commons, where, owing to his remarkable power of lucid exposition, combined with his reputation as a highly successful man of business, he acquired great influence. The writings of R. are among the classics of his subject.
RICE, JAMES (1844-1882).–Novelist, was _ed._ at Camb., and studied law, from which he drifted into literature. He wrote a number of successful novels in collaboration with W. Besant (_q.v._).
RICH, BARNABE (1540?-1620?).–Writer of romances, _b._ in Essex, saw military service in the Low Countries. He began to write in 1574, and took Lyly’s _Euphues_ as his model. Among his numerous romances is _The Strange and Wonderful Adventures of Simonides, a Gentleman Spaniard_ and _Riche, his Farewell to the Military Profession_ (1581), which furnished Shakespeare with the plot for _Twelfth Night_.
RICHARDSON, SAMUEL (1689-1761).–Novelist, _s._ of a joiner, was _b._ at Derby. His _f._ had intended him for the Church, but means failed, and at the age of 17 he went to London, and was apprenticed to a printer. Careful and diligent, he prospered in business, became printer of the Journals of the House of Commons, and in the year before his death purchased the moiety of the patent of King’s Printer. He was twice _m._, and each of his wives brought him six children, of whom, however, only four daughters were living at his death. R., who was the originator of the modern novel, did not take seriously to literature until he was past 50 when, in 1740, _Pamela_ appeared. It originated in a proposal by two printers that R. should write a collection of model letters for the use of persons unaccustomed to correspondence, but it soon developed in his hands into a novel in which the story is carried on in the form of a correspondence. With faults and absurdities, it struck a true note of sentiment, and exploded the prevalent idea that dukes and princesses were the only suitable heroes and heroines (Pamela was a maid-servant), and it won immediate and phenomenal popularity. In 1748 _Clarissa Harlow_, his masterpiece, was _pub._, and in 1753 _Sir Charles Grandison_, in which the author embodies his ideal of a Christian gentleman. All these surfer from an elaboration of detail which often becomes tedious; but in deep acquaintance with the motives of conduct, and especially of the workings of the female heart, they are almost unrivalled; their pathos also is genuine and deep. R. had an unusual faculty as the platonic friend and counsellor of women, and was the centre of an admiring circle of the sex, who ministered to a vanity which became somewhat excessive. R. has also the distinction of evoking the genius of Fielding, whose first novel, _Joseph Andrews_, was begun as a skit or parody upon _Pamela_. R. is described as “a stout, rosy, vain, prosy little man.” _Life_ by Sir W. Scott in Ballantyne’s _Novelists Library_. _Works_ with preface by L. Stephen (12 vols., 1883), etc.
RITCHIE, LEITCH (1800?-1865).–Novelist, _b._ at Greenock and in business as a clerk in Glasgow, but about 1820 adopted literature as his profession. He wrote several novels of which the best known is _Wearyfoot Common_; others were _The Robber of the Rhine_ and _The Magician_. In his later years he ed. _Chambers’s Journal_.
RITSON, JOSEPH (1752-1803).–Antiquary and critic, _b._ at Stockton-on-Tees, settled in London as a conveyancer, at the same time devoting himself to the study of ancient English poetry. By his diligence as a collector and acuteness as a critic he rendered essential service to the preservation and appreciation of our ancient poetry. His chief works are _A Collection of English Songs_ (1783), _Ancient Songs from Henry III. to the Revolution_ (1790), _A Collection of Scottish Songs_ (1794), and _A Collection of all the Ancient Poems, etc., relating to Robin Hood_ (1795). Of a jealous and quarrelsome temper, R. was continually in controversy with his fellow-collectors and critics, including Johnson, Warton, and Percy. His acuteness enabled him to detect the Ireland forgeries. He _d._ insane.
ROBERTSON, FREDERICK WILLIAM (1816-1853).–Divine, _s._ of Captain Frederick R., of the Royal Artillery, was _b._ in London, and _ed._ at Edin. and Oxf. After holding various curacies he became in 1847 incumbent of Trinity Chapel, Brighton, where his preaching, though it brought him under the suspicion both of the High and Evangelical parties in the Church, had an extraordinary influence. Always of delicate and highly-strung constitution, his health gave way after his ministry in Brighton had extended to six years, and he _d._ in 1853. The beauty of his life and character had almost conquered the suspicion and dislike with which his views had inspired many. His sermons, of which five series were _pub._ posthumously, have had a very wide popularity.
ROBERTSON, THOMAS WILLIAM (1829-1871).–Dramatist, belonged to a family famous for producing actors. Never a successful actor himself, he produced a number of plays, which had unusual popularity. Among these are _David Garrick_, _Society_, _Caste_, and _School_.
ROBERTSON, WILLIAM (1721-1793).–Historian, _s._ of the parish minister of Borthwick, Midlothian, where he was _b._, received his earlier _ed._ at Dalkeith, which then had a school of some repute; but his _f._ being translated to Edin., he attended school, and afterwards the Univ. there, studying for the Church. In 1743 he became minister of Gladsmuir, near Prestonpans. In the ’45 he showed his loyalty by offering himself to Sir J. Cope as a volunteer, a service which was, however, declined. He soon began to take a prominent part in the debates of the General Assembly, of which he rose to be the undisputed leader. In 1758 he became one of the city ministers of Edin., and in the following year _pub._ his _History of Scotland_, which had an extraordinary success, and at once raised him to a foremost place among British historians. Preferment immediately followed: he was made Chaplain of Stirling Castle 1759, King’s Chaplain for Scotland 1760, Principal of the Univ. of Edin. 1761, and Historiographer for Scotland 1763. In 1769 appeared the _History of the Reign of the Emperor Charles V._, in 1777 _The History of America_, and in 1791 _Historical Disquisition on Ancient India_. In 1780 R. retired from the management of Church affairs, in which he had shown conspicuous ability, and gave himself to study, and the society of his friends, among whom were most of his distinguished contemporaries. As a writer he possessed a finished style, clear, measured, and stately, which carried his well-arranged narrative as on a full and steady stream; he was also cool and sagacious but, like Hume, he was apt to take his facts at second hand, and the vast additional material which has been in course of accumulation since his day has rendered the value of his work more and more literary, and less and less historical.
_Lives_ by Dugald Stewart (1801), Bishop Gleig (1812), and Lord Brougham in _Men of Letters_.
ROBINSON, HENRY CRABB (1775-1867).–Diarist, _b._ at Bury St. Edmunds, was articled to an attorney in Colchester. Between 1800 and 1805 he studied at various places in Germany, and became acquainted with nearly all the great men of letters there, including Goethe, Schiller, Herder, Wieland, etc. Thereafter he became war correspondent to the _Times_ in the Peninsula. On his return to London he studied for the Bar, to which he was called in 1813, and became leader of the Eastern Circuit. Fifteen years later he retired, and by virtue of his great conversational powers and other qualities, became a leader in society, going everywhere and knowing everybody worth knowing. He _d._ unmarried, aged 91, and his _Diary, Reminiscences and Correspondence_, which stands in the forefront of its class, was _pub._ in 1869.
ROCHESTER, JOHN WILMOT (2ND EARL OF) (1647-1680).–Poet, _s._ of the 1st Earl, _b._ at Ditchley in Oxfordshire, and _ed._ at Oxf., saw some naval service when he showed conspicuous bravery. He became one of the most dissolute of the courtiers of Charles II., and wore himself out at 33 by his wild life. He was handsome, and witty, and possessed a singular charm of manner. He wrote a number of light, graceful poems, many of them extremely gross. Bishop Burnet, who attended him on his deathbed, believed him to have been sincerely repentant. In addition to his short pieces he wrote a _Satyr against Mankind_, and a tragedy, _Valentinian_, adapted from Beaumont and Fletcher.
ROGERS, HENRY (1806-1877).–Critic and theologian, was a minister of the Congregationalist Church, and ultimately Prof. of English Literature in Univ. Coll., London. He was a contributor to the _Edinburgh Review_, and is best known by his _Eclipse of Faith_ (1852), a reply to F.W. Newman’s _Phases of Faith_. This work, which displays remarkable acuteness and logical power, had great popularity.
ROGERS, SAMUEL (1763-1855).–Poet, _s._ of a banker in London, received a careful private education, and entered the bank, of which, on his father’s death, he became the principal partner. From his early youth he showed a marked taste for literature and the fine arts, which his wealth enabled him to gratify; and in his later years he was a well-known leader in society and a munificent patron of artists and men of letters, his breakfasts, at which he delighted to assemble celebrities in all departments, being famous. He was the author of the following poems: _The Pleasures of Memory_ (1792), _Columbus_ (1810), _Jacqueline_ (1814), _Human Life_ (1819), and _Italy_ (1822). R. was emphatically the poet of taste, and his writings, while full of allusion and finished description, rarely show passion or intensity of feeling; but are rather the reflections and memory-pictures of a man of high culture and refinement expressed in polished verse. He had considerable powers of conversation and sarcasm. He was offered, but declined, the laureateship.
ROLLE, RICHARD (1290?-1349).–Hermit and poet, _b._ at Thornton, Yorkshire, was at Oxf. Impressed by the uncertainty and the snares of life he decided to become a hermit, a resolution which he carried out with somewhat romantic circumstances. He wrote various religious treatises in Latin and English, turned the Psalms into English verse, and composed a poem–_The Pricke of Conscience_–in 7 books, in which is shown the attitude of protest which was rising against certain Papal pretensions and doctrines.
ROLLOCK, ROBERT (1555?-1599).–Theologian and scholar, _b._ in Stirlingshire, was first a Prof. in St. Andrews, and then the first Principal of the Univ. of Edin. He also held office as Prof. of Theology, and was one of the ministers of the High Church. He was one of the earliest of Protestant commentators. He wrote chiefly in Latin, but some of his sermons and commentaries are in vernacular Scotch.
ROPER, WILLIAM (1496-1578).–Biographer, _s._ of a Kentish gentleman, _m._ Margaret, _dau._ of Sir Thomas More. He has a place in literature for his excellent and appreciative biography of his father-in-law. He was a member of various Parliaments between 1529 and 1558. Although he remained a Roman Catholic, he was permitted to retain his office of prothonotary of the Court of King’s Bench after the accession of Elizabeth.
ROSCOE, WILLIAM (1753-1831).–Historian, _s._ of a market-gardener near Liverpool, for a time assisted his _f._, devoting all his spare time to mental improvement. Subsequently he entered the office of an attorney, and in due time went into business on his own account, continuing, however, his literary studies. In 1799 he joined a local bank as partner and manager, which proved an unfortunate step, as the bank was obliged, in 1816, to suspend payment. In 1795 he rose into fame at a bound by his _Life of Lorenzo de’ Medici_. It was followed in 1805 by the _Life and Pontificate of Leo the Tenth_, which, though also a work of great ability, had not the same success–his treatment of the Reformation offending Protestants and Roman Catholics alike. Both works were translated into various languages. He also wrote some poems, including _The Butterfly’s Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast_, and several pamphlets on political questions, including the slave-trade, of which he was a determined opponent. He also took a leading part in the public life of Liverpool, which he represented in Parliament for a few years. He was an accomplished botanist.
ROSCOMMON, WENTWORTH DILLON, 4TH EARL of (1633?-1685).–Poet, nephew of the famous Earl of Strafford, was _b._ in Ireland. He studied and travelled on the Continent, and enjoyed a considerable literary reputation in his own day on the strength of a poetical _Essay on Translated Verse_, and translations from Horace’s _Art of Poetry_.
ROSE, WILLIAM STEWART (1775-1843).–Poet and translator, _s._ of George R., who held various Government offices, including that of Treasurer of the Navy. After being _ed._ at Eton and Camb., he was appointed Reading Clerk to the House of Lords. He translated the romance of _Amadis de Gaul_ (1803), _Partenopex de Blois_ (1807), etc., and from 1823-31 was occupied with the principal work of his life, his translations from the Italian, including the _Orlando Furioso_ of Ariosto, in which he was encouraged by Sir W. Scott, whose friend he was. He also produced a vol. of poems, _The Crusade of St. Louis_ (1810).
ROSSETTI, CHRISTINA GEORGINA (1830-1894).–Poetess, sister of Dante Gabriel R. (_q.v._), was _b._ in London, where she lived all her life. She began to write poetry in early girlhood, some of her earliest verse appearing in 1850 in the _Germ_, the magazine of the pre-Raphaelites, of which her brother was one of the founders. Her subsequent publications were _Goblin Market and other Poems_ (1862), _The Prince’s Progress_ (1866), _A Pageant and other Poems_ (1881), and _Verses_ (1893). _New Poems_ (1896) appeared after her death. _Sing-Song_ was a book of verses for children. Her life was a very retired one, passed largely in attending on her mother, who lived until 1886, and in religious duties. She twice rejected proposals of marriage. Her poetry is characterised by imaginative power, exquisite expression, and simplicity and depth of thought. She rarely imitated any forerunner, and drew her inspiration from her own experiences of thought and feeling. Many of her poems are definitely religious in form; more are deeply imbued with religious feeling and motive. In addition to her poems she wrote _Commonplace and other Stories_, and _The Face of the Deep_, a striking and suggestive commentary on the Apocalypse.
ROSSETTI, DANTE GABRIEL (1828-1882).–Poet and painter, was _b._ in London. His _f._ was Gabriele Rossetti, an Italian scholar, who came to England in 1824, and was Prof. of Italian in King’s Coll., London. His mother was Frances Polidori, English on her mother’s side, so that the poet was three-fourths Italian, and one-fourth English. He was _ed._ at King’s Coll. School, and began the systematic study of painting in 1842, and in 1848, with Holman Hunt, Millais, and others, founded the pre-Raphaelite school of painting. In 1849 he exhibited the “Girlhood of Mary Virgin,” and among his other pictures are “Beata Beatrix,” “Monna Vanna,” and “Dante’s Dream.” Simultaneously with art he worked hard at poetry, and by 1847 he had written _The Blessed Damozel_ and _Hand and Soul_ (both of which appeared in the _Germ_, the magazine of the pre-Raphaelites), _Retro me Sathanas_, _The Portrait_, and _The Choice_, and in 1861 he brought out a vol. of translations from the early Italian poets under the title of _Dante and his Circle_. The death of his wife in 1862, after a married life of less than two years, told heavily upon him, as did various attacks upon his poetry, including that of Robert Buchanan (_q.v._)–_The Fleshly School of Poetry_–to which he replied with _The Stealthy School of Criticism_. His _Poems_ which, in the vehemence of his grief, he had buried in the coffin of his wife, and which were afterwards exhumed, appeared in 1870; and his last literary effort, _Ballads and Sonnets_, containing the sonnets forming _The House of Life_, in 1881. In his later years he suffered acutely from neuralgia, which led to the habit of taking chloral. Rossetti was fastidious in composition; his poems are as remarkable for condensation, finish, and exact expression of the poet’s thought as for their sumptuous colouring and rich concrete imagery. In later years he was subject to depression, and became somewhat embittered, and much of a recluse.
_Life_ by A.C. Benson (English Men of Letters). _Family Letters and Memoir_ by W.M. Rossetti. Poetical Works with preface by the same, etc.
ROUS, FRANCIS (1579-1659).–Versifier of the Psalms, a Cornishman, and a prominent Puritan, took a leading part in Parliament, was Provost of Eton, and wrote several theological and devotional works. His memory has, however, been chiefly kept green by his translation of the Psalms into verse, which with some modifications was adopted by the Church and Parliament of Scotland for use in public worship, a position which it held almost exclusively until the middle of the 19th century. It is still in universal use in the Presbyterian churches of that country, though now accompanied by hymns. Though rough, and sometimes, through the endeavour to maintain literalness, grotesque, it is strong and simple, and not seldom rises to a certain severe beauty; and association has endeared it to many generations of Scottish Christians.
ROW, JOHN (1568-1646).–Scottish ecclesiastical historian, _b._ at Perth, _s._ of John R., one of the Scottish Reformers, was minister of Carnock in Fife, and a leading opponent of Episcopacy. His _Historie of the Kirk of Scotland_, 1558-1637, left by him in manuscript, was printed in 1842 for the Wodrow Society. It is an original authority for the period.
ROWE, NICHOLAS (1674-1718).–Dramatist and poet, _b._ of a good family at Little Barford, Bedfordshire, was bred to the law, but inheriting an income of L300 a year, he devoted himself to literature, and produced several dramas, including _The Ambitious Stepmother_, _The Fair Penitent_, and _Jane Shore_. The last, which is his best, contains some scenes of true pathos, and holds its place. He also wrote some poems, and translated Lucan. R., who was a man of very engaging manners, was the friend of Pope, Swift, and Addison, and received many lucrative appointments, including that of Under-Sec. of State. He has the distinction of being the first ed. and biographer of Shakespeare (1709). He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1715, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, with an epitaph by Pope.
ROWLEY, WILLIAM (1585?-1642?).–Dramatist, was an actor in the Queen’s Company 1610. He collaborated with Middleton in _A Fair Quarrel_ and _The Changeling_, and in others with Dekker, Webster, etc., and wrote unassisted _A New Wonder_, _A Match at Midnight_, _A Shoemaker, a Gentleman_, and several others; also a picture of life in London called _A Search for Money_. R. was vigorous and humorous, but his verse lacked sweetness and smoothness.
RUDDIMAN, THOMAS (1674-1757).–Grammarian, _b._ in Banffshire, and _ed._ at King’s Coll., Aberdeen, obtained a position in the Advocates’ Library in Edin., of which in 1730 he became Librarian. In 1714 he _pub._ his _Rudiments of the Latin Tongue_, which was for long the recognised Latin grammar in the schools of Scotland. He was made printer to the Univ. in 1728. R., who was one of the greatest of Scottish Latinists, produced an ed. of the works of George Buchanan, and an ed. of _Livy_ said to be “immaculate.” He also reprinted, with notes, Gavin Douglas’s version of the _AEneid_.
RUSKIN, JOHN (1819-1900).–Writer on art, economics, and sociology, was _b._ in London, the _s._ of a wealthy wine merchant, a Scotsman. Brought up under intellectually and morally bracing Puritan influences, his education was mainly private until he went to Oxf. in 1836; he remained until 1840, when a serious illness interrupted his studies, and led to a six months’ visit to Italy. On his return in 1842 he took his degree. In 1840 he had made the acquaintance of Turner, and this, together with a visit to Venice, constituted a turning point in his life. In 1843 appeared the first vol. of _Modern Painters_, the object of which was to insist upon the superiority in landscape of the moderns, and especially of Turner, to all the ancient masters. The earnestness and originality of the author and the splendour of the style at once called attention to the work which, however, awakened a chorus of protest from the adherents of the ancients. A second vol. appeared in 1846, the third and fourth in 1856, and the fifth in 1860. Meanwhile he had _pub._ _The Seven Lamps of Architecture_ (1849), _The Stones of Venice_ (1851-53), perhaps his greatest work, _Lectures on Architecture and Painting_ (1854), _Elements of Drawing_ (1856), and _Elements of Perspective_ (1859). During the 17 years between the publication of the first and the last vols. of _Modern Painters_ his views alike on religion and art had become profoundly modified, and the necessity of a radical change in the moral and intellectual attitude of the age towards religion, art, and economics in their bearing upon life and social conditions had become his ruling idea. He now assumed the _role_ of the prophet as Carlyle, by whose teaching he was profoundly influenced, had done, and the rest of his life was spent in the endeavour to turn the mind of the nation in the direction he desired. _The Political Economy of Art_ (1857) showed the line in which his mind was moving; but it was in _Unto this Last_, _pub._ in the _Cornhill Magazine_ in 1860, that he began fully to develop his views. It brought down upon him a storm of opposition and obloquy which continued for years, and which, while it acted injuriously upon his highly sensitive nervous system, had no effect in silencing him or modifying his views. There followed _Munera Pulveris_ (Gifts of the Dust), _The Crown of Wild Olive_, _Sesame and Lilies_ (1865), _Time and Tide by Wear and Tyne_, and innumerable fugitive articles. In 1869 R. was appointed first Slade Prof. of the Fine Arts at Oxf., and endowed a school of drawing in the Univ. His successive courses of lectures were _pub._ as _Aratra Pentelici_ (Ploughs of Pentelicus) (1870), _The Eagle’s Nest_ (1872), _Ariadne Florentina_ (1872), and _Love’s Meinie_ (1873). Contemporaneously with these he issued with more or less regularity, as health permitted, _Fors Clavigera_ (Chance the Club-bearer), a series of miscellaneous notes and essays, sold by the author himself direct to the purchasers, the first of a series of experiments–of which the Guild of St. George, a tea room, and a road-making enterprise were other examples–in practical economics. After the death of his mother in 1871 he purchased a small property, Brantwood, in the Lake district, where he lived for the remainder of his life, and here he brought out in monthly parts his last work, _Praeterita_, an autobiography, 24 parts of which appeared, bringing down the story to 1864. Here he _d._ on January 20, 1900. R. was a man of noble character and generous impulses, but highly strung, irritable, and somewhat intolerant. He is one of our greatest stylists, copious, eloquent, picturesque, and highly coloured. His influence on his time was very great, at first in the department of art, in which he was for a time regarded as the supreme authority, later and increasingly in the realms of economics and morals, in which he was at first looked upon as an unpractical dreamer. He _m._ in 1848, but the union proved unhappy, and was dissolved in 1855.
For his Life _see_ his own works, especially _Praeterita_. _Life and Works_ by Collingwood (2 vols., 1893). _Bibliography_, T.J. Wise (1889-93). Shorter works by Mrs. Meynell, J.A. Hobson, F. Harrison, etc.
RUSSELL, LORD JOHN, 1ST EARL RUSSELL (1792-1878).–Statesman, biographer, and historical writer, third _s._ of the 6th Duke of Bedford, was _ed._ at Westminster School and the Univ. of Edin. He entered Parliament in 1813, and became one of the most eminent English statesmen of the 19th century. He uniformly acted with the Whig and afterwards with the Liberal party, advocated all measures of progress, especially the removal of tests, the extension of education, and Parliamentary reform. He was the leader of his party in the House of Commons from 1834-55, represented the City of London from 1841 until his elevation to the peerage in 1861, and held the offices of Paymaster of the Forces, Home Sec., Colonial Sec., Foreign Sec., and Prime Minister, which last he held twice, 1846-52, and 1865-66. His contributions to literature were considerable, both in number and importance, and include _Essay on the English Constitution_ (1821), _Memoirs of the Affairs of Europe from the Peace of Utrecht_ (1824), _Correspondence of the 4th Duke of Bedford_, _Life, Diary, and Letters of Thomas Moore_, _Correspondence of Charles James Fox_, and a _Life_ of the same statesman, _Essays on the Rise and Progress of the Christian Religion in the West of Europe_ (1873), and _Recollections and Suggestions_ (1875).
RUSSELL, WILLIAM (1741-1793).–Historian, _b._ in Selkirkshire, and apprenticed to a bookseller in Edin., he was patronised by Lord Elibank, and went to London, where he followed literature as a profession. He wrote poems and fables, a _History of America_ (1779), and a _History of Modern Europe_, which he left unfinished.
RUSSELL, SIR WILLIAM HOWARD (1821-1907).–War correspondent, _b._ in Co. Dublin, was called to the Bar in 1850. Having joined the staff of the _Times_, he was sent as war correspondent to the Crimea, his letters from which caused a profound sensation, and led to an improved condition of things in regard to the army. He was also correspondent in India during the Mutiny, in America during the Civil War, and during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, and the Franco-German War of 1870-71, in South Africa in 1879, and in Egypt in 1883. Among his books are _The Adventures of Dr. Brady_ (1868), _Hesperothen_ (1882), _A Visit to Chili_ (1890), and _The Great War with Russia_ (1895). He was knighted in 1895, and also received various foreign decorations.
RUTHERFORD, SAMUEL (1600?-1661).–Theologian and controversialist, _b._ at Nisbet, Roxburghshire, _ed._ at Edin. Univ., where he became in 1623 Regent of Humanity (Prof. of Latin). In 1627 he was settled as minister of Anwoth in Galloway, whence he was banished to Aberdeen for nonconformity. On the re-establishment of Presbytery in 1638 he was made Prof. of Divinity at St. Andrews, and in 1651 Principal of St. Mary’s Coll. there, and he was one of the Scottish Commissioners to the Westminster Assembly. At the Restoration he was deprived of all his offices. He was a formidable controversialist, and a strenuous upholder of the divine right of Presbytery. Among his polemical works are _Due Right of Presbyteries_ (1644), _Lex Rex_ (1644), and _Free Disputation against Pretended Liberty of Conscience_. _Lex Rex_ was, after the Restoration, burned by the common hangman, and led to the citation of the author for high treason, which his death prevented from taking effect. His chief fame, however, rests upon his spiritual and devotional works, such as _Christ Dying and drawing Sinners to Himself_, but especially upon his _Letters_, which display a fervour of feeling and a rich imagery which, while highly relished by some, repel others.
RYCAUT, or RICAUT, SIR PAUL (1628-1700).–Historian, was at Camb., and held various diplomatic positions. He wrote _Present State of the Ottoman Empire_ (1668), and a continuation of _Knolles’s General Historie of the Turks_, and translated Platina’s _Latin History of the Popes_.
RYMER, THOMAS (1641-1713).–Archaeologist and critic, _ed._ at Camb., became a barrister at Gray’s Inn. He _pub._ in 1678 _Tragedies of the last Age Considered_, in which he passed judgments, very unfavourable, upon their authors, including Shakespeare. He was of much more use as the collector of English treaties, which he _pub._ under the title of _Faedera_, in 20 vols., the last 5 of which were ed. after his death by R. Sanderson (_q.v._). R. also _pub._ poems and a play, _Edgar_. He held the office of historiographer to William III. His learning and industry have received the recognition of many subsequent historians.
ST. JOHN, H., (_see_ BOLINGBROKE).
SALA, GEORGE AUGUSTUS HENRY (1828-1895).–Journalist and novelist, _b._ in London of Italian ancestry, began life as an illustrator of books and scene-painter, afterwards taking to literature. He contributed to many periodicals, including _Household Words_, and the _Illustrated London News_, and was the founder and first ed. of _Temple Bar_. Among his novels were _The Buddington Peerage_ and _Quite Alone_. He also wrote books of travel, and an autobiographical work, his _Life and Adventures_ (1895).
SALE, GEORGE (1697?-1736).–Orientalist, a Kentish man, and practising solicitor. In 1734 he _pub._ a translation of the _Koran_. He also assisted in the _Universal History_, and was one of the correctors of the Arabic New Testament issued by the S.P.C.K.
SANDERSON, ROBERT (1587-1663).–Theologian and casuist, _b._ of good family at Rotherham in Yorkshire, was at Oxf. Entering the Church he rose to be Bishop of Lincoln. His work on logic, _Logicae Artis Compendium_ (1615), was long a standard treatise on the subject. His sermons also were admired; but he is perhaps best remembered by his _Nine Cases of Conscience Resolved_ (1678), in consideration of which he has been placed at the head of English casuists. He left large collections of historical and heraldic matter in MS.
SANDS, ROBERT CHARLES (1799-1832).–Miscellaneous writer, _b._ at New York, was a scholarly and versatile writer, but without much originality. His best work is in his short stories. His chief poem was _Yamoyden_, an Indian story written in collaboration with a friend.
SANDYS, GEORGE (1578-1644).–Traveller and translator, _s._ of an Archbishop of York, _b._ at Bishopsthorpe, and _ed._ at Oxf., is one of the best of the earlier travellers, learned, observant, and truth-loving. He _pub._ in 1615 an account of his journeys in the East which was highly popular. He also translated when in America the _Metamorphoses_ of Ovid, produced a metrical _Paraphrase on the Psalms_, with music by Henry Lawes, and another on the Canticles, and wrote _Christ’s Passion_, a tragedy. He held various public offices, chiefly in connection with the colony of Virginia.
SAVAGE, RICHARD (1697?-1743).–Poet, was probably of humble birth, but claimed to be the illegitimate _s._ of the Countess of Macclesfield. He was the friend of Johnson in the early and miserable days of the latter in London; and in _The Lives of the Poets_ J. has given his story as set forth by himself, which is, if true, a singular record of maternal cruelty. There are strong reasons, however, for doubting whether it was anything but a tissue of falsehoods mingled with gross exaggerations of fact. He led a wildly irregular life, killed a gentleman in a tavern brawl, for which he was sentenced to death, but pardoned; and by his waywardness alienated nearly all who wished to befriend him. For a time he had a pension of L50 from Queen Caroline on condition of his writing an ode yearly on her birthday. He wrote _Love in a Veil_ (1718) (comedy) and _Sir Thomas Overbury_ (1723) (tragedy), and two poems, _The Bastard_ (1728) and _The Wanderer_ (1729). He _d._ in prison at Bristol.
SAVILE, SIR HENRY (1549-1622).–Scholar, _ed._ at Oxf., where he lectured on mathematics. He was afterwards Warden of Merton Coll. and Provost of Eton, and made a translation from Tacitus entitled, _The Ende of Nero and Beginning of Galba, etc._ (1581), and in the same year _pub._ _Rerum Anglicarum Scriptores post Bedam Praecipui_, a collection of some of the chronicles subsequent to Bede, William of Malmesbury, Roger of Hoveden, etc. He founded the Savilian Professorship of Astronomy and Geometry at Oxf.
SAXBY, EDWARD (_d._ 1658).–_B._ in Suffolk, and was in Cromwell’s Horse. His extreme republican views, however, led him into the bitterest antagonism when C. assumed the Protectorship. This received expression in his extraordinary pamphlet, _Killing no Murder_, in which the assassination of C. is advocated, and which displays in a remarkable degree perverted ingenuity of argument combined with considerable literary power. S. _d._ demented in the Tower in 1658.
SCOTT, ALEXANDER (1525?-1584?).–Scottish poet. Almost nothing is known of his life, but he is believed to have spent most of his time in or near Edin. Thirty-six short poems are attributed to him, including _Ane New Yeir Gift to Quene Mary_, _The Rondel of Love_, and a satire, _Justing at the Drum_. He has great variety of metre, and is graceful and musical, but his satirical pieces are often extremely coarse.
SCOTT, HUGH STOWELL (1863?-1903).–Novelist (under the name of Henry Seton Merriman). He was an underwriter in Lloyd’s, but having a strong literary bent, latterly devoted himself to writing novels, many of which had great popularity. They include _The Slave of the Lamp_ (1892), _The Sowers_ (generally considered his best) (1896), _In Kedar’s Tents_ (1897), _Roden’s Corner_ (1898), _Isle of Unrest_ (1900), _The Velvet Glove_ (1901), _The Vultures_ (1902), and _Barlasch of the Guard_ (1903). He worked with great care, and his best books hold a high place in modern fiction. He was unusually modest and retiring in character.
SCOTT, JOHN (1730-1783).–Poet, _s._ of a Quaker draper who in his later years lived at Amwell, a village in Herts, which the poet celebrates in his descriptive poem, _Amwell_. He wrote much other verse now forgotten.
SCOTT, LADY JOHN (ALICIA ANN SPOTTISWOODE) (1801-1900).–_M._ Lord John Scott. She was the writer of a number of Scottish songs characterised by true poetic feeling. Among them may be mentioned _Annie Laurie_, _Douglas_, and _Durrisdeer_. She also composed the music for them.
SCOTT, MICHAEL (1789-1835).–Novelist, _b._ near and _ed._ at Glasgow, and settled in business at Kingston, Jamaica, which led to his making frequent sea voyages, and thus yielded him experiences which he turned to account in two vivacious novels, _Tom Cringle’s Log_ and _The Cruise of the Midge_, both of which first appeared in _Blackwood’s Magazine_, where they attained deserved popularity. They have frequently been reprinted. The author, however, maintained a strict _incognito_ during his life.
SCOTT, SIR WALTER (1771-1832).–Poet, novelist, and biographer, _s._ of Walter S., a Writer to the Signet in Edinburgh, and Margaret Rutherford, _dau._ of one of the Prof. of Medicine in the Univ. there. Through both parents he was connected with several old Border families; his _f._ was a scion of the Scotts of Harden, well known in Border history. In early childhood he suffered from a severe fever, one of the effects of which was a permanent lameness, and for some time he was delicate. The native vigour of his constitution, however, soon asserted itself, and he became a man of exceptional strength. Much of his childhood was spent at his grandfather’s farm at Sandyknowe, Roxburghshire, and almost from the dawn of intelligence he began to show an interest in the traditionary lore which was to have so powerful an influence on his future life, an interest which was nourished and stimulated by several of the older members of his family, especially one of his aunts. At this stage he was a quick-witted, excitable child, who required rather to be restrained than pressed forward. At the age of 7 he was strong enough to be sent to the High School of Edinburgh, where he was more remarkable for miscellaneous and out-of-the-way knowledge and his powers of story-telling than for proficiency in the ordinary course of study; and notwithstanding his lameness, he was to be found in the forefront wherever adventure or fighting were to be had. Thereafter he was for three sessions at the Univ., where he bore much the same character as at school. He was, however, far from idle, and was all the time following the irresistible bent, which ultimately led to such brilliant results, in a course of insatiable reading of ballads and romances, to enlarge which he had by the time he was 15 acquired a working knowledge of French and Italian, and had made the acquaintance of Dante and Ariosto in the original. Percy’s _Reliques of Ancient Poetry_, _pub._ in 1765, came into his hands in 1784, and proved one of the most formative influences of this period. At 15 he was apprenticed to his _f._, but preferring the higher branch of the profession, he studied for the Bar, to which he was called in 1792. He did not, however, forego his favourite studies, but ransacked the Advocates’ Library for old manuscripts, in the deciphering of which he became so expert that his assistance soon came to be invoked by antiquarians of much longer standing. Although he worked hard at law his ideal was not the attainment of an extensive practice, but rather of a fairly paid post which should leave him leisure for his favourite pursuits, and this he succeeded in reaching, being appointed first in 1799 Sheriff of Selkirk, and next in 1812 one of the Principal Clerks to the Court of Session, which together brought him an income of L1600. Meanwhile in 1795 he had translated Buerger’s ballad of _Lenore_, and in the following year he made his first appearance in print by publishing it along with a translation of _The Wild Huntsman_ by the same author. About the same time he made the acquaintance of “Monk” Lewis, to whose collection of _Tales of Wonder_ he contributed the ballads of _Glenfinlas_, _The Eve of St. John_, and _The Grey Brother_; and he _pub._ in 1799 a translation of Goethe’s _Goetz von Berlichingen_. In 1797 he was _m._ to Miss Charlotte Margaret Charpentier, the _dau._ of a French gentleman of good position. The year 1802 saw the publication of Scott’s first work of real importance, _The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, of which 2 vols. appeared, the third following in the next year. In 1804 he went to reside at Ashestiel on the Tweed, where he ed. the old romance, _Sir Tristrem_, and in 1805 he produced his first great original work, _The Lay of the Last Minstrel_, which was received with great favour, and decided that literature was thenceforth to be the main work of his life. In the same year the first few chapters of _Waverley_ were written; but the unfavourable opinion of a friend led to the MS. being laid aside for nearly 10 years. In 1806 S. began, by a secret partnership, that association with the Ballantynes which resulted so unfortunately for him 20 years later. _Marmion_ was _pub._ in 1808: it was even more popular than the _Lay_, and raised his reputation proportionately. The same year saw the publication of his elaborate ed. of Dryden with a Life, and was also marked by a rupture with Jeffrey, with whom he had been associated as a contributor to the _Edinburgh Review_, and by the establishment of the new firm of J. Ballantyne and Co., of which the first important publication was _The Lady of the Lake_, which appeared in 1810, _The Vision of Don Roderick_ following in 1811. In 1812 S. purchased land on the Tweed near Melrose, and built his famous house, Abbotsford, the adornment of which became one of the chief pleasures of his life, and which he made the scene of a noble and kindly hospitality. In the same year he _pub._ _Rokeby_, and in 1813 _The Bridal of Triermain_, while 1814 saw _The Life and Works of Swift_ in 19 vols., and was made illustrious by the appearance of _Waverley_, the two coming out in the same week, the latter, of course, like its successors, anonymously. The next year, _The Lord of the Isles_, _Guy Mannering_, and _The Field of Waterloo_ appeared, and the next again, 1816, _Paul’s Letters to his Kinsfolk_, _The Antiquary_, _The Black Dwarf_, and _Old Mortality_, while 1817 saw _Harold the Dauntless_ and _Rob Roy_. The enormous strain which S. had been undergoing as official, man of letters, and man of business, began at length to tell upon him, and in this same year, 1817, he had the first of a series of severe seizures of cramp in the stomach, to which, however, his indomitable spirit refused to yield, and several of his next works, _The Heart of Midlothian_ (1818), by many considered his masterpiece, _The Bride of Lammermoor_, _The Legend of Montrose_, and _Ivanhoe_, all of 1819, were dictated to amanuenses, while he was too ill to hold a pen. In 1820 _The Monastery_, in which the public began to detect a falling off in the powers of the still generally unknown author, appeared. The immediately following _Abbot_, however,