Duke of Marlborough. This celebrated general, born in Devonshire, went to court as a page under Charles II. He married the beautiful Sarah Jennings, became attached to the Duke of York (James II.), and rose rapidly, through his great military genius. James II. created him Lord Churchill, and by basely forsaking him for William III., he was created Earl of Marlborough. In the war of the Spanish Succession (1702) Marlborough dashed from the Low Countries (Belgium) to Bavaria, and defeated the French and their allies at Donauwert, Blenheim (on the Danube, thirty-three miles from Ulm), Ramilies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, and Arleux, and in numberless smaller engagements. After the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, Marlborough was created a Duke, and received from the nation a property and splendid palace near Woodstock, built by Sir John Vanbrugh, and called Blenheim. Marlborough was unhappy in his private life. SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN. Born 1632.—Died 1723.—Charles I.—Charles II.—James II.—William III.—Anne.—George I. Was born at East Knoyle, in Wiltshire. He was the greatest architect of his age, after Italian models. He did not understand the principles of Pointed, or what is called Gothic Architecture. Besides re-building many of the churches destroyed by the great fire of London, he built the Theatre at Oxford and re-built St. Paul’s Cathedral, which is the greatest of his works. The Latin inscription to him to be read there justly says, “If you seek for his monument, look around you.” SIR ISAAC NEWTON. Born 1642.—Died 1727.—Charles I.—Charles II.—James II.—William III.—Anne.—George I. This great man was a native of Woolsthorpe, in Lincolnshire; he has been called the founder of natural philosophy. He made great discoveries in astronomy by applying the principle of gravitation to the planets; and established important facts in optics and mathematics. His great works were the _Principia_ and _Optics_. He was a man of the gentlest disposition, and was so unassuming and modest that he seemed unaware of his own genius. He died at Kensington. SIR RICHARD STEELE. Born 1671.—Died 1729.—Charles II.—James II.—William III.—Anne.—George I.—George II. The friend of Addison and editor of the _Spectator_, _Tatler_, _Guardian_, and _Englishman_, in which he also wrote. DANIEL DEFOE. Born 1661.—Died 1731.—Charles II.—James II.—William III.—Anne.—George I.—George II. The author of _Robinson Crusoe_ and the _History of the Plague_, was the son of James Foe, a butcher of Cripplegate in London. He also wrote tracts which several times got him into trouble. ALEXANDER POPE. Born 1688.—Died 1744.—James III.—William III.—Anne.—George I.—George II.