CUDWORTH, RALPH (1617-1688).--Divine and philosopher, _b._ at Aller, Somerset, and _ed._ at Camb., where, after being a tutor, he became Master of Clare Hall 1645, Prof. of Hebrew (1645-88), and Master of Christ's Coll., 1654. His great work is _The True Intellectual System of the Universe_ (1678). A work of vast learning and acuteness, it is directed against the infidelity of the age. C.'s candour in his statement of the opposing position was so remarkable that Dryden remarked "that he raised such strong objections against the being of a God and Providence that many thought he had not answered them." He also left in MS. a _Treatise concerning Eternal and Immutable Morality_, _pub._ in 1731. CUMBERLAND, RICHARD (1732-1811).--Novelist and dramatist, _ed._ at Westminster and Camb., entered the diplomatic service, and filled several government appointments. His best play is _The West Indian_. His novels do not rise much above mediocrity. Along with Sir J.B. Burges he wrote an epic entitled _The Exodiad_, and he also made some translations from the Greek. CUMMINS, MARIA SUSANNA (1827-1866).--_B._ at Salem, Mass., was well-known as the authoress of _The Lamplighter_, a somewhat sentimental tale which had very wide popularity. She wrote others, including _Mabel Vaughan_, none of which had the same success. CUNNINGHAM, ALLAN (1784-1842).--Poet and miscellaneous writer, _b._ near Dalswinton, Dumfriesshire, in his youth knew Burns, who was a friend of his father's. He was apprenticed to a stonemason, but gave his leisure to reading and writing imitations of old Scottish ballads, which he contributed to Cromek's _Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song_, _pub._ in 1810, and which gained for him the friendship of Scott and Hogg. Thereafter he went to London, and became a parliamentary reporter, and subsequently assistant to Chantrey, the sculptor, but continued his literary labours, writing three novels, a life of Sir D. Wilkie, and _Lives of Eminent British Painters, Sculptors, and Architects_, besides many songs, of which the best is _A wet sheet and a flowing Sea_. He also brought out an ed. of Burns's Works. He had four sons, all of whom rose to important positions, and inherited in some degree his literary gifts. CURTIS, GEORGE WILLIAM (1824-1892).--American essayist, editor, and journalist, contributed to _New York Tribune_, and to _Putnam's_ and _Harper's_ monthlies, in which most of his books first appeared. Among these are _Trumps_, a story of New York life, _Prue and I_, _Lotus-eating_, and the _Potiphar Papers_. C. was also one of the finest American orators of his day.