Biographical Outlines: British History — John Shaqi
Biographical Outlines: British HistoryAnonymous
History
Biographical Outlines: British History
Anonymous
Great Britain -- Biography
This celebrated poet of the 18th century, the son of a linendraper in the
Strand, London, translated the _Iliad_ and _Odyssey_, wrote the _Rape of
the Lock_, the _Essay on Man_, and other poems.
DEAN JONATHAN SWIFT.
Born 1667.—Died 1745.—Charles II.—James II.—William III.—Anne.—George
I.—George II.
An Irish divine, born at Dublin, was a distinguished wit and writer. He
wrote many satirical works, and _Gulliver’s Travels_. His bitter, morose
spirit tinges all his works. He died insane as Dean of St. Patrick’s.
JOSEPH BUTLER.
Born 1692.—Died 1752.—William III.—Anne.—George I.—George II.
The author of the famous Analogy and Sermons, which have been long used
as text-books of moral philosophy at our universities; he was Bishop of
Bristol and afterwards of Durham, and Clerk of the Closet to Queen
Caroline. He was born at Wantage in Berkshire, and died at Bath.
HENRY FIELDING,
Born 1707.—Died 1754.—Anne.—George I.—George II.
Son of Lieutenant-General Fielding and great grandson of the third Earl
of Denbigh, was born at Sharpham, in Somersetshire. He was the author of
_Tom Jones_ and several other novels full of character and accurate
descriptions of varieties of life, but disfigured by the great coarseness
of the age in which he wrote. He died of dropsy at Lisbon.
GENERAL WOLFE.
Born 1726.—Died 1759.—George I.—George II.—George III.
This brave General, born in Kent, earned during his short life of
thirty-three years unusual distinction. He was appointed General of the
British troops in North America, under Lord Chatham’s administration, and
fought in the siege of Louisbourg, which surrendered, in Cape Breton.
While afterwards besieging Quebec, Wolfe was shot at the moment of his
victory over the French under Montcalm, and when told that the French
troops were flying, said, “I die content.”
SAMUEL RICHARDSON.
Born 1689.—Died 1761.—William III.—Anne.—George I.—George II.—George III.
This celebrated novelist was born in Derbyshire. He was educated at
Christ’s Hospital, and began life as a printer. He was the first English
writer of fiction who, in _Sir Charles Grandison_, avoided the coarseness
which disfigures Smollett’s and Fielding’s works. He wrote also _Pamela_
and _Clarissa Harlowe_, which have been translated into most of the
European languages.
WILLIAM HOGARTH.
Born 1697.—Died 1764.—William III.—Anne.—George I.—George II.—George III.
Born in London, began life as an engraver on silver: he became a great
painter. The engravings of _The Rake’s Progress_, _Marriage à la Mode_,
_The Analysis of Beauty_, etc., are universally known. His works are
full of satire and instruction, though not of the most pleasing kind.
JAMES STUART.
Born 1688.—Died 1766.—James II.—William III.—Anne.—George I.—George
II.—George III.
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