ALCOTT, LOUISA M. (1832-1888).--Writer of juvenile and other tales, _dau._ of Amos Bronson Alcott, an educational and social theorist, lecturer, and author, was _b._ in Pennsylvania. During the American civil war she served as a nurse, and afterwards attained celebrity as a writer of books for young people, of which the best is _Little Women_ (1868). Others are _Little Men_ and _Jo's Boys_. She also wrote novels, including _Moods_ and _Work_. ALCUIN or EALHWINE (735-804).--Theologian and general writer, was _b._ and _ed._ at York. He wrote in prose and verse, his subjects embracing educational, theological, and historical matters. Returning from Rome, to which he had been sent to procure the _pallium_ for a friend, he met Charlemagne at Parma, and made upon him so favourable an impression that he was asked to enter his service as preceptor in the sciences to himself and his family. His numerous treatises, which include metrical annals, hagiographical and philosophical works, are not distinguished by originality or profundity, but he is the best representative of the culture and mental activity of his age, upon which, as the minister of education of the great emperor, he had a widely-spread influence. ALDRICH, THOMAS BAILEY (1836-1906).--Poet and novelist, _b._ at Portsmouth, N.H., was for some time in a bank, and then engaged in journalism. His first book was _The Bells, a Collection of Chimes_ (1855), and other poetical works are _The Ballad of Babie Bell_, _Cloth of Gold_, _Flower and Thorn_, etc. In prose he wrote _Daisy's Necklace_, _The Course of True Love_, _Marjorie Daw_, _Prudence Palfrey_, etc.