This remarkable man, born in Worcestershire, went to India at seventeen,
and after filling several important posts was made Governor General of
India in 1773. His administration was famous for the submission of the
formidable enemies of England, Hyder Ali and Tippoo Sahib; but his
cruelties to the Begums (princesses) of Oude and in the Rohilla war were
the subject of his impeachment and trial before the House of Lords in
Westminster Hall. Sheridan pleaded the cause of the Begums in what has
been reckoned the finest speech ever heard in modern times. Warren
Hastings was acquitted, but he was a ruined man until the East India
Company nobly pensioned him for life with £4,000 a-year, paid his debts,
arid lent him £50,000 without interest. He died in retirement at the age
of eighty-six.
JAMES WATT.
Born 1736.—Died 1819.—George II.—George III.
This celebrated mechanic and natural philosopher began life as a
mathematical instrument maker, but having his attention very early called
to the nature and power of steam, he directed all his energies to
improvements in steam engines, and made important experiments and
discoveries. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.
JOHN KEATS.
Born 1796.—Died 1820.—George III.
A poet who, if he had lived a little later, would have been admired,
praised, and had a school of imitators. As it was his sensibilities were
so wounded by the severe criticisms made upon his poems that he fell into
ill-health and died. His _Endymion_ is the poem by which he is best
known, but his volume shows that he had the merit of being beforehand
with the “Lake School” in freeing English poetry from artificial trammels
and opening for it a wider and more natural spirit. He was a native of
London.
SIR WILLIAM HERSCHEL.
Born 1738.—Died 1822.—George II.—George III.—George IV.
This great astronomer discovered a new planet, which he called _Georgium
Sidus_, but which is now called _Herschel_. He erected an enormous
telescope at Slough. His son, Sir John Herschel, continued his
discoveries, and became one of the greatest astronomers yet known.
PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY,
Born 1792.—Died 1822.—George III.—George IV.
A poet of the most extraordinary genius and imagination, was born in
Sussex. Some of his writings are unfortunately tinged with infidelity
and false beliefs. His translations from the Greek and longer poems are
very beautiful, especially the _Prometheus Unbound_. Shelley was drowned
in the Bay of Spezzia in Italy.
DR. JENNER.
Born 1749.—Died 1823.—George II.—George III.—George IV.
An English physician, celebrated as the discoverer of vaccination as a
preventive of small-pox. Born at Berkeley, in Gloucestershire, he was
educated at Cirencester school, and was for several years a pupil of the
celebrated John Hunter. He was rewarded with several pensions as a
recompense for his discoveries and disinterested labours.
JOHN KEMBLE.
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