B. was one of the greatest political thinkers whom England has produced, and all his writings, like his speeches, are characterised by the welding together of knowledge, thought, and feeling. Unlike most orators he is more successful as a writer than as a speaker. He rose too far above the heads of his audience, which the continued splendour of his declamation, his inordinate copiousness, and his excessive vehemence, often passing into fury, at length wearied, and even disgusted: but in his writings are found some of the grandest examples of a fervid and richly elaborated eloquence. Though he was never admitted to the Cabinet, he guided and influenced largely the policy of his party, while by his efforts in the direction of economy and order in administration at home, and on behalf of kindly and just government in India, as well as by his contributions to political philosophy, he laid his country and indeed the world under lasting obligations. There are _Lives_ by Prior (1824 and 1854); J. Morley (1867), and various ed. of his works have appeared. _Select Works_ by Payne (3 vols. 1874-78). SUMMARY.--_B._ 1729, _ed._ Trinity Coll., Dublin, enters Middle Temple 1750, _pub._ treatise _On the Sublime and Beautiful_ 1756, became friend of Rockingham 1765, enters Parliament and engages in American controversy, _pub._ speech on _Conciliation with America_ 1775, Paymaster of Forces and P.C. 1782, joined coalition of Fox and North 1782, leads in prosecution of W. Hastings 1787-94, _pub._ _Reflections on French Revolution_ 1790 and breaks with Fox party, _pub._ _Letter on a Regicide Peace_ 1796, _d._ 1797.