ASGILL, JOHN (1659-1738).--Eccentric writer, student at the Middle Temple, 1686, and called to the Bar 1692. In 1699 he _pub._ in an unlucky hour a pamphlet to prove that death was not obligatory upon Christians, which, much to his surprise, aroused the public wrath and led to his expulsion from the Irish and English House of Commons successively. A. thereafter fell on evil days, and passed the rest of his life between the Fleet and the King's Bench, where, strange to say, his zeal as a pamphleteer continued unabated. He _d._ in 1738. ASHMOLE, ELIAS (1617-1692).--Antiquary, was _ed._ at Lichfield, and became a solicitor in 1638. On the breaking out of the Civil War he sided with the royalists; went to Oxford and studied science, including astrology. The result of his studies in this region of mystery was his _Theatrum Chymicum Britannicum_, which gained him great repute and the friendship of John Selden. His last astrological treatise was _The Way to Bliss_, which dealt with the subject of "the philosopher's stone." He also wrote various works on antiquarian subjects, and a _History of the Order of the Garter_. A. held various posts under government, and presented to the University of Oxford a valuable collection of curiosities now known as the Ashmolean Museum. He also bequeathed his library to the University. His wife was a _dau._ of Sir W. Dugdale, the antiquary. ASSER (_d._ 909?).--Chronicler, a monk of St. David's, afterwards Bishop of Sherborne, was the friend, helper, and biographer of Ælfred. In addition to his life of Ælfred he wrote a chronicle of England from 849 to 887. ATHERSTONE, EDWIN (1788-1872).--Poet and novelist. His works, which were planned on an imposing scale, attracted some temporary attention and applause, but are now forgotten. His chief poem, _The Fall of Nineveh_, consisting of thirty books, appeared at intervals from 1828 to 1868. He also produced two novels, _The Sea Kings in England_ and _The Handwriting on the Wall_.