John was a king of England reigning from 1199 to 1216. He was an able administrator interested in law and government but he neither trusted others nor was trusted by them. Heavy taxation, disputes with the Church (John was excommunicated by the Pope in 1209) and unsuccessful attempts to recover his French possessions made him unpopular. Many of his barons rebelled and in June 1215 they forced the King to sign a peace treaty accepting their reforms. This treaty, later known as the Magna Carta, limited royal powers, defined feudal obligations between the King and the barons, and guaranteed a number of rights. The most influential clauses concerned the freedom of the Church; the redress of grievances of owners and tenants of land; the need to consult the Great Council of the Realm so as to prevent unjust taxation; mercantile and trading relationships; regulation of the machinery of justice so that justice be denied to no one; and the requirement to control the behaviour of royal officials. The most important clauses established the basis of habeas corpus ('you have the body'), i.e. that no one shall be imprisoned except by due process of law, and that 'to no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay right or justice'.
The Charter also established a council of barons who were to ensure that the Sovereign observed the Charter, with the right to wage war on him if he did not. The Magna Carta was the first formal document insisting that the Sovereign was as much under the rule of law as his people; and that the rights of individuals were to be upheld even against the wishes of the sovereign. As a source of fundamental constitutional principles, the Magna Carta came to be seen as an important definition of aspects of English law, and in later centuries as the basis of the liberties of the English people. As a peace treaty the Magna Carta was a failure and the rebels invited prince Louis of France to become their king. When John died in 1216 of dysentery, England was in the grip of civil war but the barons proclaimed Louis king.
John A Dix was an American politiican. He was born in 1798 at New Hampshire and died in 1879. He was in the army from 1812 until 1828. From 1833 until 1840 he was Secretary of the State of New York, and became a member of the 'Albany Regency'. From 1845 until 1849 he was a Democratic Senator. In the last months of Buchanan's administration he was Secretary of the Treasury, and aided to restore confidence in the Federal Government. An ardent 'War Democrat', he served through the war as a major-general of volunteers. From 1872 until 1874 he was Governor of New York. Research John A Dix
John A J Cresswell was Postmaster-General of the USA from 1869 until 1874. he was born in 1828 and died in 1891. He was a member of Congress from 1863 until 1865. Research John A J Cresswell
John A Andrew was an American politician. He was born in 1818 and died in 1867. He was a renowned lawyer when he was elected as Republican governor of Massachusetts in 1860, serving from 1861 until 1866, coinciding with the American Civil War and as such he was the 'War Governor of Massachusetts'. Research John A. Andrew
John A. Campbell was an American jurist. He was born in 1811 and died in 1889. Educated at the University of Georgia he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1829. He was several times a member of the Assembly of Alabama. He was appointed a Justice of the US Supreme Court in 1853, and resigned in 1861. He was opposed to secession although he believed in the right. He was Assistant Secretary of War of the Confederate States and was one of the peace commissioners who met President Abraham Lincoln at Port Monroe in February, 1865. Research John A. Campbell
John A Quitman was an American politician. He was born in 1799 and died in 1858. He was chancellor of the Mississippi Superior Court from 1828 to 1831, and from 1832 to 1835. He was a member of the Mississippi Senate in 1835, and ex-officio Governor for a time. He commanded a brigade at Monterey, led the assault at Vera Cruz, commanded at Alvarado, and stormed Chapultepec. He was appointed by General Scott Governor of the City of Mexico. He was Governor of Mississippi from 1850 to 1851, and served in the US Congress as a Democrat from 1855 to 1858. He early maintained the right of secession, and suggested a Southern Confederacy. Research John A. Quitman
John White Abbott was an English amateur landscape painter. He was born in 1763 and died in 1851. A follower of Francis Towne, he exhibited oil paintings at the Royal Academy between 1793 and 1805 and again in 1810 and in 1822 but although these were praised at the time, after his death his monochrome pen and ink drawings were more sought after.
Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott was a Canadian politician. He was born in 1821 at Saint Andrews, Quebec and died in 1893. He was the first Canadian-born Prime Minister of Canada, a post he held from 1891 to 1892. Research John Abbott
John Jacob Abel was an American biochemist. He was born in 1857 at Cleveland, Ohio and died in 1938. He determined the molecular weight of cholesterol and in 1897 isolated the hormone adrenaline from the adrenal gland. In 1892 he discovered carbonic acid in horseurine and associated it with the production of urea. He also pioneered kidneydialysis. Research John Abel
John Abernethy was an English surgeon. He was born in 1764 at London and died in 1831. He achieved celebrity status for his lectures on anatomy and also wrote on medicine, being the first to attempt to bring surgery and physiology into scientific connection. Research John Abernethy
John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton (first Baron Acton) was a British historian. He was born in 1834 at Naples and died in 1902. He was the son of Richard Acton (seventhbaronet) and the daughter of the Duke of Dalberg, afterwards the wife of Earl Granville, Gladstone's colleague. As a Roman Catholic he was educated at Oscott, and afterwards on the Continent, partly under Dotlinger, and acquired a special taste for and profound knowledge of history. He conducted the Home and Foreign Review in 1862-64, and, in doing so, showed himself a strong opponent of ultramontane pretensions. He next edited the North British Review, which under him was rather overweighted with learning, and soon came to an end.
In 1869 he was raised to the peerage. He strongly opposed the papal-infallibility movement, and took the side of Gladstone in his attacks on Vaticanism. In 1895 he accepted the professorship of modern history at Cambridge, delivered lectures, and planned and undertook the editorship of the great work on modemhistory, comprising a series of volumes by various scholars, and issued from the university press. Except essays, letters, or articles for periodicals, he himself wrote little. His library of 60,000 volumes he left to Morley, who handed it over to the University of Cambridge. Research John Acton
John Adams was an American politician. He was born in 1735 at Braintree (now Quincy) Massachusetts and died in 1826. He was educated at Harvard University, and adopted the law as a profession. His attention was directed to politics by the question as to the right of the English parliament to tax the colonies, and in 1765 he published some essays strongly opposed to
the claims of the mother country. As a member of the new American congress in 1774, 1775, and 1776 he was strenuous in his opposition to the home government, and in organizing the various departments of the colonial government. On 13th May, 1776, he seconded the motion for a declaration of independence proposed by Lee of Virginia, and was appointed a member of committee to draw it up. The declaration was actually drawn up by Jefferson, but it was John Adams who fought it through congress.
In 1778 he went to France on a special mission, but soon came back and again returned, and for nine years resided abroad as representative of his country in France; Holland, and England. After taking part in the peace negotiations he was appointed, in 1785, the first ambassador of the United States to the court of St James. He was recalled in 1788, and the following-year elected vice-president of the republic under George Washington. In 1792 he was re-elected vice-president, and at the following election in 1797 he became president in succession to George Washington. The commonwealth was then divided into two parties, the federalists, who favoured aristocratic and were suspected of monarchic views, and the republicans. Adams adhered to the former party, with which his views of government had always been in accordance, but the real leader of the party was Alexander Hamilton, with whom John Adams did not agree, and who tried to prevent his election. John Adams was a leader in the movement for independence an his presidency was marked by rivalry with fellow-Federalist Alexander Hamilton, controversy over government measures taken to curb political opposition, and a crisis in American relations with France.
His term of office proved a stormy one, which broke up and dissolved the federalist party. His re-election in 1801 was again opposed by the efforts of Alexander Hamilton, which ended in effecting the return of the republican candidate Jefferson. Thus it happened that when John Adams retired from office his influence and popularity with both parties were at an end, and he sunk at once into the obscurity of private life. He had the consolation, however, of living to see his son president. He died on the 4th of July, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and on the same day as Jefferson. His works were ably edited by his grandson Charles Francis Adams.
John Couch Adams was a British astronomer. He was born in 1819 and died in 1892. He studied at Cambridge, and was senior wrangler in 1843. His investigations into the irregularities in the motion of the planetUranus led him to the conclusion that they must be caused by another more distant planet, and the results of his labours were communicated in September and October, 1845, to Professor Challis and Airy the astronomer royal. The French astronomer Leverrier had by this time been engaged in the same line of research, and had come to substantially the same results, which, being published in 1846, led to the actual discovery of the planetNeptune by Galle of Berlin. In 1858 John Adams was appointed Lowndean professor of astronomy and geometry at Cambridge.
John Bodkin Adams was an English physician and alleged murderer. He was born in 1899 and died in 1983. In 1957 he was tried for the murder of an elderly patient who died in suspicious circumstances shortly after making Dr Adams a beneficiary in her will. Although he was acquitted, most students of the case believe the trial was a miscarriage of justice, and his guilt proven. Further investigations suggest that at least nine elderly ladies were poisoned by Dr Adams for financial gain. Research John Adams
John Adams Dix was an American politician and soldier . He was born in 1798 at Boscawen, New Hampshire and died in 1879. After serving as a soldier he practised as a lawyer before entering politics. He was a member of the Senate from 1845 until 1849 and secretary of the treasury in 1861. He was a Republican governor of New York from 1873 until 1874. Research John Adams Dix
John Adolphus was an English criminal lawyer. He was born in 1766 and died in 1845. He wrote 'History of England from the Accession of George III' and 'Biographical Memoirs of the French Revolution'. Research John Adolphus
Sir John Miller Adye was a British general. He was born in 1819 at Sevenoaks, Kent and died in 1900. An artillery officer, he served in the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny. He held administrative posts in the British Army and the Indian Army and in 1882 went to Egypt as chief of the staff to Wolseley. From 1883 until 1886 he was governor of Gibraltar. Research John Adye
Sir John Alcock was an English airman. He was born in 1892 at Manchester and died in 1919. He trained as an engineer at the Empress Motor Works before turning his attention to aviation and in 1912 won the flying certificate of the Royal Aero Club. He then started competing in aero races, coming second in the 1913 London to Manchester and back race. In 1914 he joined the Royal Navy Air Service and was made an instructor at Eastchurch. Serving at the front against the Turks, winning the DSC and the record for a long-distance bombing raid before he was taken prisoner. In June 1919 he, together with A.W. Brown entered the Daily Mail sponsored competition to fly across the Atlantic, and together they made the first flight across the Atlantic, flying from Newfoundland to Ireland in a little over sixteen hours, winning 10,000 pounds prize money and a few days later they were both knighted. Sir John Alcock was killed in December 1919 in an aeroplane crash while flying from London to Paris. Research John Alcock
John Alexander Logan (Black Jack Logan) was an American soldier and politician. He was born in 1826 and died in 1886. He volunteered in the Mexican War, and became thereafter a lawyer and politician in Illinois. He was a Democratic Congressman from 1859 until 1861, but left Congress for the army, fought at Bull Run, and was made a colonel of Illinois volunteers. At Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and in the Western army generally he was prominent, was appointed major-general, commanded a division in the Vicksburgcampaign and a corps under Sherman in 1864, and on the battlefield of Atlanta succeeded McPherson in the Army of the Tennessee. 'Black Jack' Logan was, in fact, one of the most noted non-West-Pointers of the American Civil War. He was Republican Congressman from 1867 until 1871, and a Senator from 1871 until 1877 and agaian from 1879 until 1886. He received some votes at the Convention of 1884, and was nominated for second place on the ticket with James Blaine, but was not elected. He wrote 'The Great Conspiracy'. Research John Alexander Logan
John Alington was an English eccentric farmer and philanthropist. He was born in 1795 and died in 1863. Believing he had a responsibility to his workers, he read them Shakespeare and educated them in the geography of the world and planned to take them to the Great Exhibition of 1851, though the trip was cancelled for fear of people becoming lost. Six days a week he held open house, welcoming everyone, especially outcasts, gypsies and tramps to his house. Research John Alington
John Allegro was an English philologist of the Semitic languages and author. Highly regarded for his authority on the Old Testament, Allegro later argued that Jesus was in fact a mushroom and that Christianity was a cryptic version of ancient sex cults inspired by the hallucinogenic mushroomAmanita muscaria. Although taken in this context his theory appears ludicrous, references to hallucinogenic mushrooms and the widespread taking of them occur in the ancient history of Greece, and in a number of religious cults of that period. Research John Allegro
John Allen was a Scotchish political and historical writer. He was born in 1771 and died in 1843. He studied medicine, and became M.D. of Edinburgh University. In 1801 he went abroad with LordHolland and his family, and henceforth he maintained this connection, being long an inmate of Holland House in London and a member of the brilliant society that assembled there. He contributed many articles to the Edinburgh Review; wrote an Inquiry into the Rise and Growth of the Royal Prerogative in England; Vindication of the Ancient Independence of Scotland; etc. Research John Allen
John Anderson was a Scottish philosopher and philanthropist. He was born in 1726 and died in 1796. He was professor of natural philosophy in the University of Glasgow and by his will he directed that the whole of his effects should be devoted to the establishment of an educational institution in Glasgow, to be denominated Anderson's University, for the use of the unacademical classes. According to the design of the founder, there were to be four colleges - for arts, medicine, law, and theology - besides an initiatory school. As the funds, however, were totally inadequate to the plan, it was at first commenced with only a single course of lectures on natural philosophy and chemistry. The institution gradually enlarged its sphere of instruction, coming nearer and nearer to the original design of its founder, the medical school in particular possessing a high reputation. During the 19th century it was incorporated with other institutions to form the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College, the medical school, however, retaining a distinct position. Research John Anderson
John Andre was a British soldier. He was born in 1751 at London and died in 1780. During the American War of Independence he joined the British army in Canada in 1774 and became aide-de-camp to Sir Henry Clinton. In this capacity he acted as intermediary in negotiations between Henry Clinton and Benedict Arnold who was planning to betray West Point to the British. Major John Andre met with Benedict Arnold, and while returning to the British lines was captured by the American forces, and being in civilian clothes, was court-martialled and hanged as a spy. His remains were subsequently brought to England in 1821 and interred in WestminsterAbbey, where a monument was erected to his memory. Research John Andre
John Anster was an Irish writer. He was born in 1793 at Cork and died in 1867. He was professor of law at the University of Dublin. He published a volume of poems, and was a frequent contributor to Blackwood's Magazine, the Dublin University Magazine, the North British Review, and others, but is chiefly known by his fine translation of Goethe's Faust, 1835-64. Research John Anster
John Arbuthnot was a Scottish physician and distinguished wit. He was born in 1667 at Arbuthnot, Aberdeenshire, Scotland and died in 1735. He received the degree of Doctor of Medicine at the University of St Andrews; and went to London, where he soon distinguished himself by his writings and by his skill in his profession. In 1704 he was chosen fellow of the Royal Society, and soon after he was appointed physician extraordinary, and then physician in ordinary to Queen Anne About this time he became intimate with Swift, Pope, Gay, and other wits of the day. His writings, other than professional or scientific, include his contributions (in conjunction with Swift and Pope) to the Memoirs of Martinus Scriblerus, History of John Bull, Art of Political Lying, etc. He was conspicuous not only for learning and wit, but also for worth and humanity. Research John Arbuthnot
John Armstrong was a Scottish poet and physician. He was born about 1709 and died in 1779. After studying medicine in Edinburgh he settled in London. In 1744 he published his chief work, the Art of Preserving Health, a didactic poem. This work raised his reputation to a height which his subsequent efforts scarcely sustained. In 1746 he became physician to an hospital for soldiers, and in 1760 he was appointed physician to the forces which went to Germany. After his return to London he published a collection of his Miscellanies, which contained, however, nothing valuable. He afterwards visited France and Italy, and published an account of his tour under the name of Lancelot Temple. His last production was a volume of Medical Essays.
John Armstrong was an American soldier and politician. He was born in 1758 at Carlisle, Pennsylvania and died in 1843. He served in the American War Of Independence and after its conclusion write the first 'Newbugh Letters'. Entering civilian life he was Secretary of State in Pennsylvania and member of the Continental Congress, and was a US Senator from 1800 to 1802 and from 1803 to 1804. From 1804 until 1810 he was Minister to France. In 1812 he was appointed brigadier-general and in 1813 entered the Cabinet as secretary of War, being obliged to resign in 1814 after the fall of Washington. Research John Armstrong
John Asgill was an English writer. He was born in 1659 and died in 1738. A lawyer by profession, in 1699 he published a pamphlet to prove that Christians were not necessarily liable to death, death being the penalty imposed for Adam's sin and Christ having satisfied the law. Having crossed over to Ireland, he was beginning to get into a good practice, and was elected to the Irish House of Commons, when his pamphlet was ordered to be burned by the public hangman, and he himself was expelled the house. His whole subsequent life was passed in pecuniary and other troubles, mostly in the Fleet or within the rules of the King's Bench. Research John Asgill
John Ashe was an American soldier. He was born in 1720 at North Carolina and died in 1781. He equipped a regiment at his own expense and joined Lincoln's army in 1778. He was defeated at Brier Creek and captured at Wilmington in 1781. Research John Ashe
John Asser was a learned British ecclesiastic. Ge died about 910. He was originally a monk of St David's, and is distinguished as the instructor, companion, and biographer of Alfred the Great, who appointed him abbot of two or three different monasteries, and finally Bishop of Sherborne, where he died in 908 or 910. His life of Alfred, written in Latin (Annales Berum Gestarum AElfredi Magni), is of very great value, though its authenticity has been questioned. There is an English translation in Bonn's Antiquarian Library. Research John Asser
John Jacob Astor was a German-born American philanthropist. He was born in 1763 near Heidelberg, Germany and died in1848. In 1783 he emigrated to the United States, settled at New York, and became extensively engaged in the furtrade. In 1811 the settlement of Astoria, founded by him, near the mouth of the Columbia river, was formed to serve as a central depot for the furtrade between the lakes and the Pacific. He subsequently engaged in various speculations, and died worth about 4,000,000 pounds, leaving 80,000 pounds to found the Astor Library in New York. This institution is contained in a splendid building, enlarged in 1859 at the cost of his son, and in 1905 comprised about 260,000 volumes. Research John Astor
John Aubrey was an English antiquary. He was born in 1625 or 1626 at Wiltshire and died about 1700. He was educated at Oxford and collected materials for the Monasticon Anglicanum, and afforded important assistance to Wood, the antiquary. He left large collections of manuscripts, which have been used by subsequent writers. His Miscellanies, published in London in 1696, contain much curious information, but display credulity and superstition. His Natural History and Antiquities of the County of Surrey was published in 1719. Research John Aubrey
John James Audubon was an American naturalist. He was born in 1775 near New Orleans and died in 1851. Of French parents, he was educated in France, and studied painting under David. In 1798 he settled in Pennsylvania, but having a great love for ornithology he set out in 1810 with his wife and child, descended the Ohio, and for many years roamed the forests in every direction drawing the birds which he shot. In 1826 he came to England, exhibited his drawings in Liverpool, Manchester, and Edinburgh, and finally published them in an unrivalled work of double-folio size, with 435 coloured plates of birds the size of life (The Birds of America, 4 volumes, 1827-39), with an accompanying text (Ornithological Biography, 5 volumes 8vo, partly written by Prof. Macgillivray). On his final return to America he laboured with Dr. Bachman on a finely illustrated work entitled The Quadrupeds of America (1843-50, 3 volumes.). Research John Audubon
John Aus'tin was an English writer on jurisprudence. He was born in 1790 and died in 1859. From 1826 to 1835 he filled the chair of jurisprudence at London University. He served on several royal commissions, one of which took him to Malta; lived for some years on the Continent, and finally settled at Weybridge in Surrey. His fame rests solely on his great works: The Province of Jurisprudence Determined, published in 1832; and his Lectures on Jurisprudence, published by his widow between 1861 and 1863. Research John Austin
John Bacon was an English sculptor. He was born in 1740 and died in 1799. Among his chief works are two groups for the interior of the Royal Academy; the statue of Judge Blackstone for All Souls College, Oxford; another of Henry VI for Eton College; the monument of LordChatham in Westminster Abbey; and the statues of Dr. Johnson and Mr. Howard in St Paul's Cathedral. Research John Bacon
John Bale was an English ecclesiastic. He was born in 1495 at Suffolk and died in 1563. Although educated a Roman Catholic, he became a Protestant, and the intolerance of the Catholic party drove him to the Netherlands. On the accession of Edward VI. he returned to England, was presented to the living of Bishop's Stoke, Southampton, and soon after nominated Bishop of Ossory, in Ireland. Here, on his preaching the reformed religion, the popular fury against him reached such a pitch that in one tumult five of his domestics were murdered in his presence. On the accession of Mary he lay some time concealed in Dublin, and after many hardships found refuge in Switzerland. At her death he was appointed by Elizabeth I a prebend of Canterbury, where he died. His fame as an author rests upon his Scriptorum Illustrium Majoris Britanniae Catalogus; or An Account of the Lives of Eminent Writers of Britain, commencing with Japhet the son of Noah, and ending with the year 1557. It is compiled from various writers, chiefly from the antiquary Leland. He was also the author of nineteen miracle plays, printed in 1558. Research John Bale
John Hutton Balfour was A BRITISH botanist. He was born in 1808 and died in 1884. He graduated at Edinburgh University in arts and in medicine; in 1841-45 was professor of botany in Glasgow University; and in the latter year removed to Edinburgh to occupy a similar post, resigning his chair in 1879. He wrote valuable botanical text-books, including Elements, Outlines, Manual, and Class-book, besides various other works. Research John Balfour
John Baliol was King of Scotland from 1292 to 1296. He was born in 1249 and died in 1315. On the death of Margaret, the Maiden of Norway and grandchild of Alexander III, John Baliol claimed the vacant throne by virtue of his descent from David, Earl of Huntingdon, brother to William the Lion, King of Scotland, Robert Bruce (grandfather of the king) opposed John Baliol; but Edward I's decision was in favour of John Baliol, who did homage to him for the kingdom, On November the 20th, 1292. Irritated by Edward's harsh exercise of authority, John Baliol concluded a treaty with France, then at war with England; but after the defeat at Dunbar he surrendered his crown into the hands of the English monarch. He was sent with his son to the Tower, but, by the intercession of the pope in 1297, obtained liberty to retire to his Norman estates, where he died. His son, Edward, in 1332 landed in Fife with an armed force, and having defeated a large army under the regent Mar (who was killed), got himself crowned king, but was driven out in three months. Research John Baliol
John Ball, was an English itinerant preacher of the fourteenth century. He was excommunicated about 1367 for promulgating 'errors, schisms, and scandals against the Pope, archbishops, bishops, and clergy.' He was one of the most active promoters of the popular insurgent spirit which found vent under Wat Tyler in 1381, and the couplet 'When Adam delved and Eve span Who was then the gentleman?' is attributed to him. Research John Ball
John C Bancroft Davis was an American jurist. He was born in 1822 at Massachusetts. From 1869 until 1871, from 1873 until 1875, and in 1881 he was Assistant Secretary of State of the United States. In 1871 he represented the US Government in the arbitration of the 'Alabama' claims at Geneva, having been secretary of the commission concluding the Treaty of Washington. From 1877 until 1881 he was a Judge of the US Court of Claims, and in 1883 became reporter of the US Supreme Court. Research John Bancroft Davis
John Banim was an Irish novelist, dramatist, and poet. He was born in 1798 and died in 1842. His chief early work was a poem, The Celt's Paradise published in 1821. Having settled in London, he made various contributions to magazines and to the stage; but his fame rests on his novels, particularly the O'Hara Tales, in which Irish life is admirably portrayed. In these, as in some of his other publications, his brother, Michael Banim (born in 1796, died 1874), had an important share, if not an equal claim to praise. Research John Banim
Sir John Barbirolli was an English cellist and conductor. He was born in 1899 at London and died in 1970. He was knighted in 1949. Research John Barbirolli
John Barbour was the father of Scottish poetry. He was born in 1316 and died in 1395. By 1357 he was archdeacon of Aberdeen, and in the following year was appointed a commissioner to treat for the ransom of David II. He appears as auditor of the exchequer more than once, as travelling through England on several occasions, and was pensioned by Robert II. His chief poem, The Bruco, written about 1375, was first published in 1571, and a manuscript exists in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh, dated 1489. Of another long poem, setting forth the Trojan origin of the Scottish kings, no manuscript remains, unless a portion of two Troy books in the Cambridge and Bodleian libraries may be ascribed to Barbour. He has also been credited, probably without sufficient grounds, with having compiled a Book of Legends of Saints, existing in a single manuscript at Cambridge, and published only in relatively recent times. Research John Barbour
John Barclay was a French poet and satirist. He was born in 1582 at Pont-a-Mousson (Lorraine) and died in 1621. Probably educated in the Jesuits' College at Pont-a-Mousson, having settled in England he published a Latin politico-satirical romance, entitled Euphormionis Satyricon, having as its object the exposure of the Jesuits. In 1616 he left England for Rome, received a pension from Pope Paul V. His chief work is a singular romance in Latin, entitled Argenis (published in Paris, 1621), thought by some to be an allegory bearing on the political state of Europe at the period. It has been translated into several modern languages. Research John Barclay
John Barnett was an English musical composer. He was born in 1802 at Bedford 1802 and died in 1890. He was the son of a German, Bernhard Beer, and composed music as a lad, and his songs and ballads soon had great vogue. In 1834 his opera, the Mountain Sylph, was produced with success, and three years after was followed by the less successful Fair Rosamond. For many years before his death he was little heard of. Research John Barnett
John Van Olden Barneveldt was grand pensionary of Holland during the struggle with Philip II of Spain. He was born in 1549 and died in 1619. After the assassination of William of Orange, and the conquest of the south provinces by the Spaniards under Parma, he headed the embassy to secure English aid. Finding, however, that the Earl of Leicester proved a worse than useless ally, he secured the elevation of the young Maurice of Nassau to the post of stadtholder, at the same time by his own wise administration doing much to restore the prosperity of the state. After serving as ambassador to France and England, he succeeded in 1607 in obtaining from Spain a recognition of the independence of the States, and two years later in concluding with her the twelve years' truce. Maurice, ambitious of absolute rule and jealous of the influence of Barneveldt, was interested in the continuance of the war, and lost no opportunity of hostile action against the great statesman. In this he was aided by the strongly-marked theologic division in the state between the Gomarites (the Calvinistic and popular party) and the Arminians, of whom Barneveldt was a supporter. Maurice, who had thrown in his lot with the Gomarites, encouraged the idea that the Arminians were the friends of Spain, and procured the assembly of a synod at Dort in 1618 which violently condemned them. Barneveldt and his friends Grotius and Hoogerbeets were arrested, and subjected to a mock trial; and Barneveldt, to whom the country owed its political existence and the commons their retention of legislative power, was beheaded on May the 13th, 1619. His sons four years later attempted to avenge his death; one was beheaded, the other escaped to Spain. Research John Barneveldt
Sir John Bart Barrow was a British geographer and administrator. He was born in 1764 near Ulverston and died in 1848. At the age of sixteen he went in a whaler to Greenland. A gifted mathematician, he was made a fellow of the Royal Society taught mathematics at Greenwich for three years and was sent with Lord Macartney in his embassy to China in 1792, to take charge of philosophical instruments for presentation to the Chinese emperor. His account of this journey was of great value, and not less so was the account of his travels in South Africa, whither he went in 1797 as secretary to Macartney. In 1804 he was appointed second secretary to the admiralty, a post occupied by him for forty years. In 1835 he was made a baronet. Besides the accounts of his own travels he published lives of Earl Macartney, LordAnson, and LordHowe; Voyages of Discovery and Research within the Arctic Regions; an autobiography of himself written at the age of eighty-three, etc. Research John Barrow
John Barry was an Irish-born American naval officer. He was born in 1745 and died in 1803. He commanded the 'Lexington' when it captured the British war vessel 'Edward', the first British war vessel to be captured by a commissioned officer of the US Navy. In 1781 while commanding the 'Alliance' he captured the 'Atlanta' and the 'Trespassy'. In 1794 he was made a commodore.
Sir John Wolfe Barry was a civil engineer who built Tower Bridge. He was born in 1836 and died in 1918. Research John Barry
John Berrnhard Basedow was a German educationalist. He was born in 1723 at Hamburg and died in 1790. After having gained considerable experience as a teacher, especially at the gymnasium of Altona, and having published a number of works dealing with mental and moral philosophy, the teaching of religion and morality, etc, some of which roused a great amount of discussion, he was enabled, under the auspices of the Prince of Anhalt-Dessau, to open, in 1774, an educational institution in which his views were to receive practical exemplification. This institution, which he called the Philanthropinum, was a school free from sectarian bias, and in which the pupils were to be disciplined in all studies - physical, intellectual, and moral. This school led to the establishment of some similar ones, though Basedow retired from it in 1778, not having been very successful in the practical working out of his theories. He henceforth devoted himself to authorship, writing especially on religious subjects. The chief feature of Basedow's system is the full development of the faculties of the young, in pursuance of the notions of Locke and Rousseau. His name still lives in the history of education, and his efforts were not without result. Research John Basedow
John Baskerville was an English printer and type-founder. He was born in 1706 and died in 1775. He settled at Birmingham as a writing-master, subsequently engaged in the manufacture of japanned works, and in 1750 commenced printer. From his press came highly-prized editions of ancient and modern classics, Bibles, prayer-books, etc, all beautifully-printed works. Research John Baskerville
John Bastwick was an English physician and ecclesiastical controversialist. He was born in 1593 and died in 1654. He settled at Colchester, but instead of confining himself to his profession, entered keenly into theological controversy, and was condemned by the Star Chamber for his books against Prelacy: Elenchus Religionis Papisticse, Flagellum Pontificis, and The Letanie of Dr. J. Bastwick. With Prynne and Burton he was sentenced to lose his ears in the pillory, to pay a fine of 5000 pounds, and to be imprisoned for life. He was released by the Long Parliament, and entered London in triumph along with Prynne and Burton. He appears to have continued his controversies to the very last with the Independents and others. Research John Bastwick
Sir John Beaumont, was an English poet. He was born in 1582 and died in 1627. The brother of Francis Beaumont the dramatist; he was the author of Bosworth Field, an historical poem, and various sacred and other poems. A poem in eight books, called The Crown of Thorns, has been lost. Research John Beaumont
John Bell was an American politician and one of the founders of the Whig party. He was born in 1797 at Nashville and died in 1869. A lawyer by trade, he became a State Senator before entering the House of Representatives as member for Tennessee in 1827. He served in the House of Representatives until 1841, and was Speaker from 1835 to 1837. In 1841 he was Secretary of War, and in 1847 until 1859 the US Senator from Tennessee. Research John Bell
JOHN BELL
John Bell was a Scottish surgeon. He was born in 1763 at Edinburgh 1763 and died in 1820. After completing his professional education he travelled for a short time in Russia and the north of Europe; and on his return to Edinburgh began to deliver extramural lectures on surgery and midwifery. These lectures, which he delivered between the years 1786 and 1796, were very highly esteemed, and speedily brought him into an extensive practice as a consulting and operating surgeon. His principal works are: The Anatomy of the Human Body, Discourses on the Nature and Cure of Wounds, The Principles of Surgery, and Letters on Professional Character, etc.
John Bell Hood was an American soldier. He was born in 1831 at Kentucky and died in 1879. He graduated at the US Military Academy in 1853. He enlisted in the Confederate service in 1861, and soon after was appointed brigadier-general of the Texasbrigade. He was brevetted major-general for gallant service at Games' Mill. He served in the Marylandcampaign and fought at Bull Run, Boonsboro, Fredericksburg, Antietam and Gettysburg. He reinforced General Bragg at Chickamauga, and in 1864 commanded a corps under General Johnston. He succeeded Johnston in command and attempted to crush Sherman in his march to the sea, but was unsuccessful. He was soon afterward defeated by General Thomas at Franklin and at Nashville. He was succeeded by General Richard Taylor. Research John Bell Hood
John Benbow was an Englishsailor. He was born in 1653 at Shrewsbury and died in 1702. The son of a tanner, he is said to have run away to sea, when apprentice to a butcher. In 1678 he became master's mate on board a man-of-war, and so distinguished himself that he was promoted to be master on board another, both vessels being actively engaged against the Barbary pirates. He appears to have again served on board merchant vessels in 1681 to 1686, and he is said to have shown the utmost skill and gallantry in beating off a pirate vessel when in command of a ship of his own in the Levanttrade.
He re-entered the navy in 1689, received rapid promotion, and was engaged in various affairs of importance. He took part in the unfortunate action off Beachy Head and in the glorious battle of La Hogue. He was for some time employed in protecting the English trade in the Channel, which he did with great effect, and in making attacks on St Malo and other places on the French coast; and in 1695 he was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral.
In 1701 he sailed to the West Indies with a small fleet, and in August of the following year he fell in with the French fleet under Du Casse, and attempted to close with it and bring on a general action, but was not well supported by some of his captains. While in chase of the French a chain-shot carried away one of his legs. At this critical instant, being most disgracefully abandoned by several of the captains under his command, who urged him to give up the pursuit, the French fleet effected its escape. John Benbow, on his return to Jamaica, brought the delinquents to a court-martial, by which two of them were condemned to be shot; and they were shot, some time after John Benbow himself had died of his wounds. He seems to have been a brave and able seaman, but rough and overbearing to those under him. Research John Benbow
John Davys Beresford was an English novelist. He was born in 1873 and died in 1947. His first novel, 'The Early History of Jacob Stahl' published in 1911, established his reputation as a writer of the realist school deriving from George Gissing. Research John Beresford
Lord John Bourchier Berners was an English baron. He was born in 1474 and died in 1532. A descendant of the Duke of Gloucester, youngest son of Edward III, he was a member of Parliament from 1495 until 1529 and aided in suppressing the Cornish insurrection of 1497. He was chancellor of the exchequer in 1515; ambassador to Spain in 1518 and for many years governor of Calais. He translated Froissart's Chronicles, between 1523 and 1525, and other works, his translation of the former being a sort of English classic. Research John Berners
John Bernouilli wasa a German mathematician and doctor. He was born in 1667 at Bale and died in 1748. He wrote with his brother James Bernouilli a treatise on the differential calculus; developed the integral calculus, and discovered, independently of Leibnitz, the exponential calculus. In 1694 he became doctor of medicine at Bale, and in 1695 went, as professor of mathematics, to Groningen. After the death of his brother in 1705 he received the professorship of mathematics at Bale, which he held until his death in 1748. Research John Bernouilli
John McPherson Berrien was an American statesman. He was born in 1781 at Georgia and died in 1856. He was Judge of the Eastern District of Georgia from 1810 until 1821 and a US Senator from 1825 until 1829 and again from 1840 until 1852. He was Attorney-General under president Andrew Jackson from 1829 until his resignation in 1831. Research John Berrien
Sir John Betjeman was an English poet and essayist. He was born in 1906 and died in 1984. He was the poet laureate from 1972 to 1984. Research John Betjeman
John Biddle was an English Unitarian. He was born in 1615 at Wotton-under-Edge, in Gloucestershire and died in prison in 1662, having been imprisoned for his controversial writings. He was educated at Oxford, and became master of a free-school at Gloucester. He was repeatedly imprisoned for his anti-Trinitarian views, and the Westminster Assembly of Divines having got parliament to decree the punishment of death against those who should impugn the established opinions respecting the Trinity were eager for his punishment, but the act was not put in force.
A general act of oblivion in 1652 restored him to liberty, when he immediately disseminated his opinions both by preaching and by the publication of his Twofold Scripture Catechism. He was again imprisoned, and the law of 1648 was to be put in operation against him when, to save his life, Oliver Cromwell banished him to St Mary's Castle, Scilly, and assigned him a hundred crowns annually.
Here he remained three years, until the Protector liberated him in 1658. He then continued to preach his opinions until the death of Oliver Cromwell, and also after the Restoration, when he was committed to jail in 1662, and died a few months after. He wrote Twelve Arguments against the Deity of the Holy Spirit; Confession of Faith concerning the Holy Trinity; etc. Research John Biddle
John Black was a Scottish author and editor. He was born in 1783, the son of a Berwickshire shepherd and died in 1855. After being employed in a lawyer's office, first in Duns and then in Edinburgh, he removed in 1810 to London, where he became engaged as parliamentary reporter for the Morning Chronicle, ultimately rising to be its editor. He retired in 1843. Amongst other works he was the author of a life of Tasso, and translator of the lectures of the brothers Schlegel on Dramatic Art and Literature, and on the History of Literature. Research John Black
John Blackadder was a Scottish Covenanter. He was born in 1615 and died in 1685. Having been obliged to demit his charge at Troqueer in favour of an Episcopal incumbent, he went with his wife and family to Caitloch, in the parish of Glencairn, and became one of the most popular of the itinerant preachers, successfully eluding the numerous warrants issued , against him. In 1674 he was outlawed and a large reward offered for his body. In 1678 he went to Holland, and again in 1680, but on his return to Edinburgh in 1681 he was apprehended and imprisoned upon the Bass, where he died in 1685. Research John Blackadder
John Stuart Blackie was a Scottish writer. He was born in 1809 at Glasgow and died in 1895. Educated at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Gottingen, and Berlin, he was long professor of Greek in the University of Edinburgh. He passed as advocate at the Edinburgh bar in 1834, in which year appeared his metrical translation of Faust. In 1841 he was appointed to the chair of Latin literature in Marischal College, Aberdeen - a post held by him until his appointment to the Greek chair at Edinburgh in 1852, from which he retired in 1882. Both in writing and upon the platform his name has been associated with various educational, social, and political movements. Among his more important works are his Metrical Translation of AEschylus (1850); Lays and Legends of Ancient Greece, etc. (1857); Discourse on Beauty (1860); Lyrical Poems (1860); Metrical Version of the Iliad (1866); Musa Burschicosa (1869); Four Phases of Morals (1871); Self-culture (1873); The Wise Men of Greece (1877); Natural History of Atheism (1877); Lay Sermons (1881); and Altavona, Fact and Fiction from my life in the Highlands (1882); Burns (1887). Research John Blackie
John Blow was an English composer. He was born in 1648 and died in 1708. He became organist at Westminster Abbey, and was afterwards appointed composer to the Royal Chapel. His secular compositions were published under the name of Amphion Anglicus in 1700. Research John Blow
John Henry Blunt was an English theological writer. He was born in 1823 and died in 1884. He held various curacies, and latterly was appointed to the living of Beverston, Gloucestershire. He wrote much, among his chief works being Dictionary of Doctrinal and Historical Theology; Dictionary of Sects, Heresies, etc; History of the English Reformation; Household Theology; Annotated Book of Common Prayer.
John James Blunt was an English divine. He was born in 1794 and died in 1855. From 1839 he was Lady Margaret professor of divinity at Cambridge. His works include Sketch of the Reformation in England; Undesigned Coincidences in the Old and New Testament, an Argument for their Veracity; On the Right Use of the Early Fathers; History of the Church during the First Three Centuries; Sermons; etc. Research John Blunt
John Elert Bode was a German astronomer. He was born in 1747 and died in 1826. His name is given to Bode's Law, an arithmeticformula which expresses approximately the distances of the planets from the sun. His best works are his Astronomical Almanac and his large Celestial Atlas (Himmelsatlas), giving a catalogue of 17,240 stars (12,000 more than in any former chart). Research John Bode
John Jacob Bodmer was a German poet and scholar. He was born in 1698 and died in 1783. He was for fifty years professor of history at Zurich. Although he produced nothing remarkable of his own in poetry, he did great service by republishing the old German poets and by his numerous critical writings. Research John Bodmer
Sir John Bowring was an English statesman and linguist. He was born in 1792 at Exeter and died in 1872. The son of a cloth manufacturer,while still very young he was taken by his father into his own business, and employed by him to travel in different parts of Europe. Having an extraordinary linguistic faculty he made use of his residence in foreign countries to acquire the different languages, and his first publications consisted of translations of poems and songs from the Russian, Serbian, Polish, Hungarian, Swedish, Frisian, Estonian, Spanish, and other languages. He is well known also by his translations from Goethe, Schiller, and Heine. He was an ardentRadical and supporter of Jeremy Bentham, and edited the Westminster Review from 1825 to 1830. He held various government appointments, one of them being the governorship of Hong Kong, and the last being in 1861, when he was sent to Italy to report on British commercial relations with the then new kingdom. Research John Bowring
John Boydell was an English engraver and encourager of the fine arts. He was born about 1725 and died in 1804. With the profits of a volume of engravings executed by himself, and published in 1746, he set up as a printseller, and soon established a high reputation as a liberal patron of good artists, with the result that for the first time English prints began to be exported to the Continent. He engaged Reynolds, Opie, West, and other celebrated painters to illustrate Shakespeare's works, and from their pictures was produced a magnificent volume of plates, the Shakespeare Gallery (London, Boydell, 1803). In 1790 Boydell had been made lord-mayor; but the outbreak of war consequent on the French revolution injured his foreign trade and brought him into difficulties. Research John Boydell
John Bradshaw was president of the High Court of Justice which tried and condemned Charles I. He studied law at Gray's Inn and attained a fair practice. When the king's trial was determined upon, John Bradshaw was appointed president of the court; and his stern and unbending deportment at the trial did not disappoint expectation. Afterwards he opposed Oliver Cromwell and the Protectorate, and was in consequence deprived of the chief-justiceship of Chester. Upon the death of Oliver Cromwell he became lord-president of the council, and died in 1659. At the Restoration his body was exhumed and hung on a gibbet with those of Oliver Cromwell and Ireton. Research John Bradshaw
John Braham was an English tenor singer. He was born in 1774 at London and died in 1856. He appeared with the greatest success on the leading stages of France, Italy, and the United States, as well as in his own country. He excelled mainly in national songs, such as The Bay of Biscay, O, and The Death of Nelson, and continued to attract large audiences even when eighty years old. Research John Braham
John Branch was an American politician. He was born in 1782 and died in 1863. He was a Democratic-Republican governor of North Carolina from 1817 until 1820, and a Democratic US Senator from 1823 until 1829 and was secretary of the Navy in Andrew Jackson's Cabinet from 1829 until 1831. Research John Branch
John Briggs was an English cricketer. He was born in 1862 and died in 1902. Originally an all-rounder, he served England best as a slow left-arm bowler from 1884 to 1899. He played for Lancashire and England, with his best test performance taking 15 wickets for 28 against South Africa. Research John Briggs
John Bright was an English orator and politician. He was born in 1811 at Greenbank, near Rochdale and died in 1889. His father carried out a cotton-spinning business. John Bright became a leading spirit in the Anti-Corn-Law League and in 1843 was elected to Parliament to represent Durham, where upon he distinguished himself as an advocate of free trade and reform. However, his opposition to the Crimean War caused him to lose his seat in 1857. He was later elected to represent Birmingham, and continued to campaign against wars of annexation. In 1865 he took a leading part in the movement for the extension of the franchise, and strongly advocated the necessity of reform in Ireland. In the Gladstone ministry formed in 1868 he was President of the Board of Trade and afterwards Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and he held the latter office again under Mr. Gladstone in 1880-1882. In 1886 he joined the Liberals who opposed Mr. Gladstone's schemes for Ireland, and contributed by his letters and influence to the overthrow of the Gladstone party. He was a member of the Society of Friends. Research John Bright
John Britton was an English writer on architectural antiquities. He was born in 1771 and died in 1857. In 1801 appeared the Beauties of Wiltshire, in two volumes, by John Britton and E W Brayley. These collaborateurs, with others, subsequently completed a similar work for all the other counties of England (London, 1801-16, eighteen volumes.; 1825, twenty-six volumes.; etc.). In 1805 John Britton published his Architectural Antiquities of England in five volumes, which was followed by his Cathedral Antiquities, in fourteen volumes, 1814-35, and Dictionary of the Architecture and Archaeology of the Middle Ages, 1832-38. A large number of works of a similar character bear his name as joint or sole author or editor. Research John Britton
John Brown was a Scottish covenanting martyr. He was born about 1627 and died in 1685. He is said to have fought against the government at Bothwell Bridge in 1679, and to have been on intimate terms with the leaders of the persecuted party. He was shot by Claverhouse and a party of his dragoons at Priestfield or Priesthill in the upland parish of Muirkirk, Ayrshire, where he cultivated a small piece of ground and acted as a carrier.
John Brown was a Scottish divine. He was born in 1722 and died in 1787. He was minister in the Burgher dissenting body at Haddington. By intense application to study he became acquainted with the French, Italian, German, Arabic, Persian, Syriac, and Ethiopic languages, as well as the Greek and Hebrew. His most important works are: The Self-interpreting Bible; Dictionary of the Bible; Explication of the Assembly's Catechism; The Christian Journal; Explication of Scripture Metaphors ; System of Divinity ;
General History of the Church; Particular History of the Churches of England, Scotland, and Ireland; and Harmony of Scripture Prophecies.
John Brown was a Scottish author of the Brunonian system in medicine. He was born in 1735 at Berwickshire 1735 and died in 1788. After studying medicine at the Edinburgh University he took the degree of Doctor in Medicine at St Andrew's, and after practising and teaching in Edinburgh he published his Elements of Medicine (in Latin). He maintained that the majority of diseases were proofs of weakness and not of excessive strength or excitement, and therefore contended that indiscriminate lowering of the system, as by bleeding, was erroneous, and that supporting treatment was required. His system gave rise to much opposition, but his opinions materially influenced the practice of his professional successors. Having fallen into difficulties, he removed to London in 1786.
John Brown was a Scottish divine. He was born in 1784 and died in 1858. The grandson of the Reverend John Brown of Haddington, he was ordained pastor of the Burgher congregation at Biggar in 1806. In 1821 he removed to Edinburgh; and in 1834 became professor of theology in connection with the body to which he belonged, afterwards merged in the United Presbyterian Church. He was author of numerous works chiefly in Biblical criticism, some of which were very popular.
John Brown was an American merchant. He was born in 1736 and died in 1803. A resident of Providence, Rhode Island, he led the party which destroyed the 'Gaspee' in 1772. he was a delegate from Rhode Island to Congress from 1799 until 1801.
John Brown was an American soldier. He was born in 1744 at Massachusetts and died in 1780. He aided in the capture of Ticonderoga and took Fort Chambly in 1775. he served under Montgomery at Quebec and in 1777 captured Ticonderoga together with large supplies.
John Brown was an American Abolitionist. He was born in 1800 at Torrington, Connecticut and died in 1859. He was engaged in the wool business and farming, and developed into an ardent and uncompromising abolitionist. On the outbreak of the Kansas troubles, he settled near Osawatomie in 1855, and took an active part in the desultory warfare in that region, including the 'Pottawatomie Massacre' of 1856. He had many sympathisers in the Northern States and by 1859 his plans to liberate the salves were matured. Having collected a small, well-armed force, he suddenly seized the arsenal at Harpers' Ferry, Virginia on October the 16th 1859. He was immediately blockaded, captured, and tried by a Virginiacourt which sentenced him to death. He was executed at Charlestown, Virginia on December the 2nd 1859. His actions made him a hero of the Northern armies who sang songs about him during the American Civil War.
John Brown was a Scottish physician and essayist. He was born in 1810 at Biggar and died in 1882. The son of John Brown the Scottish divine, he graduated MD in 1833 and began practice as a physician. His leisure hours were devoted to literature, many of his contributions appearing in the North British Review, Good Words, and other periodicals. His collected writings were published under the title of Horse Subsecivae (leisure hours), and embrace papers bearing on medicine, art, poetry, and human life generally. Several of his sketches (such as Rab and his Friends, Our Dogs, Pet Marjory, Jeems the Doorkeeper) on which his fame chiefly rests, have been published separately. Humour, tenderness, and pathos are his chief characteristics. Research John Brown
John Bull was an imaginary person used as the personification of the English nation and the typical Englishman. The name and character were popularised by John Arbuthnot in 1712 in a series of pamphlets entitled 'History of John Bull' which attacked the Whig war policy. Research John Bull
John Bunyan was a British prosewriter. He was born in 1628 at Elstow and died in 1688. He wrote 'The Pilgrim's Progress' . The son of a tinker, he followed his father's employment, but during the civil war he served as a soldier. Returning to Elstow, after much mental conflict his mind became impressed with a deep sense of the truth and importance of religion. He joined a society of Anabaptists at Bedford, and at length undertook the office of a public teacher among them.
Acting in defiance of the severe laws against dissenters, John Bunyan was detained in prison for twelve years from 1660 until 1672, but was at last liberated, and became pastor of the community with which he had previously been connected. During his imprisonment he wrote Profit able Meditations, The Holy City, etc, and also the curious piece of autobiography entitled Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. In 1675 he was sent to prison for six months under the Conventicle Act. To this confinement he owes his chief literary fame, for in the solitude of his cell he produced the first part of that admired religious allegory, the Pilgrim's Progress.
His Holy War, his other religious parables, and his devotional tracts, which are numerous, are also remarkable, and many of them valuable. On obtaining his liberty John Bunyan resumed his functions as a minister at Bedford, and became extremely popular. He died when on a visit to London. Research John Bunyan
John Bagnold Burgess was an English painter. He was born in 1829 at Chelsea and died in 1897. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools in 1851 and for thirty years visited Spain annually. Research John Burgess
John William Burgon was an English divine. He was born in 1813 and died in 1888. He was educated at private schools and classes connected with London University; was for some ten years in his father's counting-house, and then went to Oxford University, where he graduated in 1845, winning the Newdigate prize and also obtaining other honours, as well as a fellowship of Oriel in 1846. Having entered the church, he held several curacies in succession, and in 1863 was presented to the vicarage of St Mary's, Oxford. This charge he held until his appointment to the deanery of Chichester in 1875, where he died in 1888. He was a strong opponent of the revised version of the New Testament, and in general was a 'champion of lost causes and impossible beliefs'. Among his writing - besides sermons - are The Revision Revised; The Traditional Text of the Holy Gospels Vindicated; Causes of the Corruption of the Traditional Text; Lives of Twelve Good Men, a popular compilation, etc. Research John Burgon
John Burgoyne was an English soldier, politician and writer. He was born in 1722 and died in 1792. Entering parliament in 1768, he criticised the War Office and foreign policy, and by his political career won favour at court. He led an American expedition, in 1774 and in 1777 was entrusted with the command of a large force which was to pierce the American centre - an operation known as the Burgoyne Campaign -, but which failed through the incapacity of others, and he was obliged to surrender with 6000 men at Saratoga in October 1777, returning to England in 1778, where he was deprived of his command of the 76th Light Dragoons and the governorship of Fort William, but Fox and Sheridan took his part and received his parliamentary support. The failure of his campaign during the American War of Independence made him unpopular back home, and he spent his later years writing comedy plays.
Sir John Fox Burgoyne was an English soldier. The son of John Burgoyne, he was born in 1782 and died in 1871. He entered the Royal Engineers and served in Malta, Sicily, Egypt, and, with Sir John Moore and the Duke of Wellington, in the Peninsula from 1809 to 1814, and was present at all the sieges generally as first or second in command of the engineers. In 1851 he was made a lieutenant-general, and was chief of the engineering department at Sebastopol until he was recalled in 1855. In the following year he was created a baronet, and in 1868 a field-marshal. Research John Burgoyne
John Burnet was a Scottish engraver and painter. He was born in 1784 at Musselburgh and died in 1868. In 1806 he went to London where he illustrated the Novelist and executed large plates of Wilkie's works. He painted a number of large landscapes including 'Greenwich Pensioners' and wrote several books on painting. Research John Burnet
John Burns was an American soldier. He was born in 1793 and died in 1872. He fought at Plattsburg, Queenstown and Laundy's Lane. He distinguished himself by his patriotic zeal during the American Civil War, particularly at the Battle of Gettysburg. Research John Burns
John Hill Burton was a Scottish historian. He was born in 1809 at Aberdeen and died in 1881.
He graduated at Marischal College, Aberdeen, adopted the law as a profession, and became an advocate in Edinburgh, but literature was really the business of his life. He early contributed to the Westminster Review, as afterwards to the Edinburgh and North British, to Blackwood's Magazine, and to the Scotsman. His first book was the Life and Correspondence of DavidHume published in 1846, followed by Lives of LordLovat and Duncan Eorbes of Culloden, and other works. His chief work was his History of Scotland from the Earliest Times to 1746; others equally well known were The Scot Abroad, and the Book-hunter. He was appointed secretary to the Scottish Prison Board in 1854, and was connected with this department until his death. Research John Burton
John Bagnell Bury was an Irish scholar and historian. He was born in 1861 and died in 1927. Educated at Dublin University, he graduated with distinction and was elected a fellow in 1885. He also studied in Germany, and had a wide acquaintance with languages, including Russian. He held the chair of modern history in Dublin University in 1893-1902, and from 1898 was also regius professor of Greek. In 1902 he was appointed professor of modern history in Cambridge University. Besides annotated editions of Pindar's Nemean and Isthmian Odes, and an edition of Gibbon's Decline and Fall, with many learned notes (published in 7 volumes between 1896 and 1900), his works include History of the Later Roman Empire from Arcadius to Irene (1889), Student's History of the Roman Empire from Augustus to MarcusAurelius (1893), History of Greece to the Death of Alexander the Great (1900, published in a library edition two years later in two volumes.), Life of St Patrick and his Place in History (1905); with many articles in periodicals, such as the English Historical Review, Classical Review, etc. Research John Bury
John By was an English engineer. He was born in 1781 and died in 1836. After serving in the Peninsular War he went in 1826 to Canada, where he constructed the Rideau Canal between the St Lawrence and the Great Lakes. By-town (Ottawa) was named after him. Research John By
John Byng was an English sailor. He was born in 1704 and died in 1757. He joined the navy when he was 14 and was quickly promoted, becoming admiral in 1756. For his failure to relieve Minorca, blockaded by a French Fleet, and for retreating to Gibraltar he was tried and found guilty of neglect of duty and was executed at Portsmouth, being shot. Research John Byng
John Byrom was an English poet and stenographer. He was born in 1692 and died in 1763. He was educated at MerchantTaylors' School and Trinity College, Cambridge, and for some time studied medicine, but his chief means of livelihood for many years, until he inherited the family estates in 1740, was teaching shorthand on a system he invented himself. Research John Byrom
John Byron was an English admiral. He was born in 1723 and died in 1786. He served as a midshipman in one of the ships of Lord Anson (whence he earned the nickname 'Foul Weather Jack') which was wrecked on the Pacific coast north of the Straights of Magellan in 1741. He published a narrative of his adventures among the Indians, which was utilized by his grandson (Lord Byron) in Don Juan. Research John Byron
John C Spencer was an American politician. He was born in 1788 and died in 1855. He represented New York in the US Congress as a Democrat from 1817 to 1819. He served in Tyler's Cabinet as Secretary of War from 1841 to 1843 and as Secretary of the Treasury from 1843 to 1844. Research John C Spencer
John Cabot was an Italian navigator. He was born in 1450 at Genoa and died in 1498. He settled in Venice as a merchant and mariner, and moved to England in about 1490, settling at Bristol. In May 1497 he sailed from Bristol on a voyage of discovery under the authority of letters from the king, Henry VII. He discovered a region which he supposed to be the coast of China, returned to England with the news and received from the king the sum of ten pounds in reward. The next year he sailed again and explored the coast of North America, discovering Newfoundland and Nova Scotia before disappearing from history. Research John Cabot
John Cade (better known as Jack Cade) was a popular English agitator of the fifteenth century. He led an insurrection of the common people of Kent against Henry VI in 1450, and having defeated a force sent against him marched on London which he ruled for two days. Under the promise of a pardon the rebels dispersed, but Cade was killed by a Kentish gentleman called Iden. Research John Cade
John Caird was a Scottish divine. He was born in 1820 and died in 1898. He was professor of divinity at Glasgow University in 1862 and principal from 1873 to 1898. He published sermons (The Religion of Common Life, etc); Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion (1880), etc. Research John Caird
John Elliot Cairnes was an Irish political economist. He was born in 1823 at Drogheda and died in 1875. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin he became successively professor of political economy in Dublin, Galway, and University College, London. He published a work in 1862 entitled 'The Slave Power' in which he made a powerful defence of the cause of the Northern States of America. Research John Cairnes
John Caius was an English physician. He was born in 1510 at Norwich and died in 1573. He was physician to Edward VI and afterwards to Queen Mary. In 1557 he re-founded Gonville Hall, Cambridge and in 1559 was elected master of the college. Research John Caius
John Caldwell Calhoun was a Vice-President of the USA. He was born in 1782 near Abbeville in South Carolina and died in 1850. He graduated at Yale, studied law, and developed qualities of statesmanship at an early period. In 1811 he entered the House of Representatives as member from South Carolina, and became prominent at once as a leader of the younger element of the Democratic party; he advocated the war against Great Britain, and was foremost in the controversy over the United States Bank. He left the House for the War Department in 1817, and served throughout James Monroe's administration.
In 1824 he was elected Vice-president, and served from 1825 with Adams. Again elected in 1828, he continued in office, this time with Jackson, and between these two great Democratic leaders a bitter feeling of opposition soon arose. In the Nullification trouble which was now developing, John Calhoun's abilities and views made him the leader on the side of his native State. He resigned his office in 1832, and immediately entered the US Senate, where he was the champion of the 'States Rights' men. His career in the Senate was interrupted for a short period, when from 1844 until 45 he was Secretary of State in Tyler's administration. During this time he concluded a treaty of annexation with Texas. Retiring from the Cabinet in 1845 he re-entered the Senate, resuming the leadership of the Southern Democrats. It was during this last term that his severe controversy with Benton occurred. John Calhoun died at Washington while the compromise measures of 1850 were pending. In gifts of logic he is commonly said to have surpassed Clay and Webster, the two Senators with whose names his own is inseparably connected. Research John Calhoun
John Wall Callcott was an English composer. He was born in 1766 at Kensington and died in 1821. He studied under Handel; obtained the Music Doctorate degree from Oxford; was author of a musical grammar; and was especially noted for his glee compositions. Research John Callcott
John Calvin was a Swiss religious reformer and fanatic. He was born in 1509 at Noyon, in Picardy and died in 1564. His father, Gerard Cauvin, procureur-fiscal and diocesan secretary, dedicated him early to the church, and he was presented with a benefice at the age of twelve. The income derived from this nominal office enabled him to proceed to Paris and enter on a course of regular study. He was soon led to entertain doubts respecting the priesthood, and became dissatisfied with the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church; in consequence he gave up his cure, and took to the study of the law in Orleans.
In 1532 he returned to Paris a decided convert to the reformed faith, and was soon compelled to fly, when, after various wanderings, he found a protector in Margaret of Navarre. In 1534 he returned to Paris; but, finding that the persecution against those who were inclined to the doctrines of the reformers was still raging, he retired to Basel in the autumn of the same year. At Basel he completed and published his great work, The Institutes of the Christian Religion (Christianae Religionis Institutio; 1536).
Having gone to Italy, after a short stay at Ferrara he went to Geneva, where reform had just been established. In 1538, in company with Guillaume Farel, he was expelled from Geneva in consequence of the reign of extreme strictness they had introduced, when he went first to Berne and then to Strasburg. Here he married a widow, Idelette de Burie, and had one son, who died early. In 1541 his friends in Geneva succeeded in effecting his recall, when he laid before the council the draft of his ordinances respecting churchdiscipline, which were immediately accepted and published. His college of pastors and doctors and his consistorial court of discipline formed a theocracy, with himself at the head of it, which aimed virtually at the management of all municipal matters and the control of the social and individual life of the people. A magistrate was deposed and condemned to two months' imprisonment because his life was irregular, and he was connected with the enemies of Calvin. James Gruet was beheaded because he had written profane letters and obscene verses, and endeavoured to overthrow the ordinances of the church. Michael Servetus, passing through Geneva in 1553, was arrested, and through Calvin's instrumentality was burnt alive because he had attacked the mystery of the Trinity in a book which was neither written nor printed at Geneva.
His energy and industry were enormous; he preached almost daily, delivered theological lectures three times a week, attended all deliberations of the consistory, all sittings of the association of ministers, and was the soul of all the councils. He was consulted, too, upon points of law as well as of theology. Besides this, he found time to attend to political affairs in the name of the Republic, to publish a multitude of writings in defence of his opinions, and to maintain a correspondence through all Europe. Up to 1561 the Lutherans and the Calvinists were as one, but in that year the latter expressly rejected the tentharticle of the Confession of Augsburg, besides some others, and hence arose the name of Calvinists. Calvin retained his personal influence to the last; but a year or two before his death his health had broken down.
John Calvin was the epitome of an unhinged mind which sought an outlet through religious fanaticism, cruelty and megalomania. Though, by using popular religion as his weapon, he was able to practice his lunacy freely and persecute those who dared to question the sanity of his preachings, the bible or live a liberal life. Research John Calvin
John Campbell (LordCampbell) was a Lord-chancellor of England. He was born in 1779 at Cupar, Fife and died in 1861. He was the son of Dr. George Campbell, minister of Cupar, Fife, and was educated at Cupar, and afterwards at the University of St Andrews. In 1798 he went to London, and after acting some time as reporter and theatrical critic to the Morning Chronicle, entered himself a student of Lincoln's Inn, and in 1806 was called to the bar. He acquired a considerable practice, was elected member of parliament for Stafford in 1830, and two years after made solicitor-general.
In 1841 he was created Lord-chancellor of Ireland and raised to the peerage as BaronCampbell of St Andrews. Some years after he accepted a post in the ministry of LordJohn Russell and in 1850 was made chief-justice of the Queen's Bench, and nine years after was raised to the woolsack as lord-chancellor. He is known as the author of a considerable work, Lives of the Chancellors, which, with its supplementary volumes, Lives of the Chief-justices, enjoyed great popularity. Research John Campbell
John Cantacuzenus was a Byzantine emperor and historian. He was born about 1300. He was minister of Andronicus III, on whose death he became regent during the minority of John Palasologus. He defeated the Bulgarians and Turks, assumed the diadem, and entered Constantinople (Istanbul) in triumph in 1346. After an honourable reign he retired to a monastery in 1355, where he employed himself in composing a Byzantine history and other works, chiefly theological. Research John Cantacuzenus
John Capgrave was an English historian. He was born in 1393 at Lynn, Norfolk and died in 1464. Most of his life was passed in the Augustinian friary of his native place. He was one of the most learned men of his day, and wrote numerous commentaries, sermons, and lives of the saints. His most important work was his Chronicle of England, in English, extending from the creation to the year 1417. Other works were a Liber de Illustribus Henricis and a Life of St Katherine. Research John Capgrave
John Antony d'Istria (Count d'Istria) was a Greek statesman. He was born in 1776 at Corfu and died in 1831. In 1809 he entered the service of Russia and obtained an appointment in the department of foreign affairs. As imperial Russian plenipotentiary he subscribed the Treaty of Paris, on November the 20th, 1815. In 1828 he became president of the Greek Republic, in which office he was very unpopular, and in 1831 he was assassinated by Constantine and George Mauromichalis. Research John Capo d'Istria
John Edward Carew was an Irish sculptor. He was born in 1785 at Waterford and died in 1868. He produced various statues and busts for Lord Egremont between 1823 and 1827 and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1830 and at various intervals until 1848. Research John Carew
John Carroll was an American theologian. He was born in 1735 and died in 1817. A cousin of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, he was educated as a priest at St Omer's. In 1774 he returned to Maryland and enthusiastically espoused the patriot cause. At the suggestion of Dr Franklin he was appointed superior of the clergy of the United States in 1784. He became bishop in 1790. By unanimous request of Congress he pronounced a panegyric on Washington, February 22nd, 1800. He was consecrated archbishop in 1808, and was the first Catholic bishop and archbishop in the USA. Research John Carroll
John Cartwright was an English political reformer. He was born in 1740 and died in 1824. He wrote on political subjects and was fined for sedition. Research John Cartwright
John Carver was the leader of the Pilgrim Fathers. He was born in 1575 and died in 1621. He took refuge in Holland in 1607 and became agent for the expedition to New England. He left in the Mayflower on September the 6th 1620 and arrived in Massachusetts where the town of New Plymouth was built. He was the first Governor of Plymouth colony. He was probably elected Governor on board the Mayflower in Provincetown harbour in November, 1620; was re-elected in March, 1621, but died the next month. Research John Carver
John Cassell was an English publisher. He was born in 1817 at Manchester and died in 1865. He turned to literature in 1850 issuing The Working Man's Friend in 1850 and The Illustrated Exhibitor in 1851 followed by Popular Educator in 1852 and the Family Paper in 1853. Research John Cassell
John Catron was an American jurist. He was born in 1778 and died in 1865. He was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tennessee from 1830 to 1836 and was a Justice of the US Supreme Court from 1837 to 1865. Research John Catron
John Chapman was an English political writer. He was born in 1801 at Loughborough and died in 1854. After failing in business as a lace manufacturer he went to London and became editor of the Mechanics Magazine, and invented improvements to the four-wheeler which led to the Hansom Cab. Research John Chapman
John Chardin was a French travel writer. He was born in 1643 at Paris and died in 1713. The son of a Protestant jeweller in Paris, and a jeweller himself, he was sent by his father to the East Indies to buy diamonds, John Chardin resided a number of years in Persia and India, and latterly published an account of his travels. He settled in London in 1681, was knighted by Charles II, and was envoy to Holland for several years. Research John Chardin
John Charles Spencer (3rd Earl Spencer) was a British statesman. He was born in 1782 at London and died in 1845. Educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, he entered parliament in 1804 and was made a junior lord of the treasury in 1806 when his father (George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer) was home secretary. In 1827 he was selected as leader of the Whig opposition to the Duke of Wellington, and in 1830 in the Reform ministry of Lord Grey Viscount Althorp, as he still was, became chancellor of the exchequer and leader of the house, and was largely responsible for carrying through the Reform Bill.
In 1834 his father died, and John Charles Spencer was transferred to the House of Lords and he withdrew from politics and dedicated his time to agriculture and the care of his estates. Research John Charles Spencer
Sir John Cheke was an English scholar. He was born in 1514 at Cambridge and died in 1557. He was educated at St John's College, and made regius professor of Greek. In 1544 he was appointed tutor to the future Edward VI, and appears likewise to have assisted in the education of the PrincessElizabeth I. On the accession of Edward VI he received substantial signs of favour, was knighted, became secretary of state in 1553, and was also a privy-councillor. On the king's death he supported Lady Jane Grey, and was committed to the Tower. After a few months, however, he was set at liberty, and settled in Strasburg; but his connection with the English Protestantchurch there gave offence to the Catholics in England, and his estates were confiscated. He supported himself by teaching Greek, but in 1556, having been induced to visit Brussels, he was arrested by order of Philip II and sent prisoner to England. Under threat of the stake he recanted, and received the equivalent of his forfeited estates; but he felt so keenly his degradation that he died of grief in 1557. His chief distinction was the impulse given by him to the study of Greek. Research John Cheke
John Clare was an English poet known as the 'Northamptonshire Ploughboy Poet' or the 'Northamptonshire Peasant Poet'. He was born in 1793 in a gypsy camp at Helpstone and died in 1864. The son of a farm-labourer. He led a rambling, unsteady life until 1818, when he was obliged to accept parishrelief. In 1820 his Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery met with a favourable reception, and the issue of his Village Minstrel in 1821 won him many friends. A subscription furnishing him with 45 pounds annually was, however, dissipated by 1823, and his Shepherd's Calendar (1827), which he hawked himself, was not a success. He brought out a new work, the Rural Muse, in 1835, but became insane shortly afterwards, the remainder of his life, from 1837 to 1864, being passed in the Northampton Lunatic Asylum. Clare was a genuine poet, and his pictures of rural life are eminently truthful and pleasing. Research John Clare
John Clarke was an English physician. He was born in 1609 and died in 1676. In 1638 he went to Rhode Island and settled at Aquidneck. In 1663 he obtained from Charles II. a charter guaranteeing religious liberty to the colonists. He was Deputy Governor in 1669 and 1671. Research John Clarke
John M Clayton was an American statesman. He was born in 1796 at Delaware and died in 1856. He was Chief Justice of Delaware from 1837 until 1840, US Senator from 1829 until 1835, from 1845 until1849, and from 1851 until his death. In 1849 he became Secretary of State under President Taylor, in which office he was continued by President Fill-more until July, 1850. As such he negotiated the celebrated Clayton-Bulwer treaty with Great Britain. Research John Clayton
John Cleef was an Italian painter. He was born in 1646 at Rome and died in 1716. He belongs to the Flemish school, of which he is one of the most eminent masters. His works show more breadth of style than skill in colouring. Research John Cleef
John Cleland was a British author. He was born in 1709 and died in 1789. He wrote 'Fanny Hill - Memoirs of a woman of pleasure' to repay debts he owed in London. The book was reprinted in 1963 and the publishers prosecuted. Research John Cleland
John Clerk was a Scottish naval tactician. He was born in 1728 near Edinburgh and died in 1812. He is claimed to have invented the manoeuvre of breaking the enemy's line, put forth in an Essay on Naval Tactics published in 1790, afterwards employed with signal effect by Howe, St Vincent, Duncan, and Horatio Nelson. Research John Clerk
John Clifford was an English Baptist minister. He was born in 1836 at Sawley and was educated for the ministry in Nottingham. He is famous for his opposition to the Education Act of 1902 and his advocacy of passive resistance in non-payment of school rates by the Nonconformists. He died in 1923. Research John Clifford
John Cam Hobhouse (LordBroughton) was an English writer and statesman. He was born in 1786 and died in 1869. He was the son of Sir Benjamin Hobhouse, and was an intimate friend of Lord Byron, whom he accompanied in his travels to Greece and Turkey in 1809. He published in 1812 Journey into Albania and other Provinces of the TurkishEmpire. He also accompanied Lord Byron to Italy in 1816-1817, and wrote Historical Illustrations of the Fourth Canto of Childe Harold. In 1816 he published Letters on the Hundred Days, or Last Reign of Napoleon. He entered parliament in 1819 as member for Westminster. In 1832 he entered Lord Melbourne's ministry as secretary at war, and became a privy-councillor. In 1833 he was made chief-secretary for Ireland, and in 1835 he was appointed president of the board of control. He held this office until Sept. 1841, and in Lord Russell's administration, 1846-1852. He was raised to the peerage as BaronBroughton in 1851. Research John Cobhouse
John Coffee was an American soldier. He was born in 1772 and died in 1834. In the War of 1812 he became a brigadier-general, fought and won the battle of Tallushatchie and commanded Jackson's left wing at the Battle of New Orleans. Research John Coffee
John William Colenso was the first Bishop of Natal. He was born in 1814 and died in 1883. Educated at Cambridge he became assistant-master at Harrow untill 1842 and in 1853 was appointed first bishop of Natal, South Africa. He published treatises on Algebra and Arithmetic which have in the past been popular text-books in schools and colleges. His work on the Pentateuch and Book of Joshua, which called in question the historical accuracy of these books, involved the author in a conflict with his ecclesiastical superiors, and he was deposed by the Bishop of Cape Town. But the decisions of the privy-council and Court of Chancery were in his favour, and he continued to officiate as bishop. Research John Colenso
John Colet was an English divine. He was born in 1466 at London and died in 1519. He was Dean of St Paul's, and founder of St Paul's School, London. His discourses did much to arouse a spirit of religious inquiry, and, together with his liberal and reforming spirit, entitle him to be regarded as one of the pioneers of the Reformation. Research John Colet
John Payne Collier was an English Shakespearian critic. He was born in 1789 at London and died in 1883. He became known as a critical essayist on old English dramatic literature, and was editor of the new edition of Dodsley's Old Plays in 1825. In 1831 his best work, the History of English Dramatic Poetry, was published. In 1842-44 he published an annotated edition of Shakespeare in 8 volumes; in 1844 Shakespeare's Library. Subsequently he published several editions of Shakespeare, and an excellent edition of Spenser in 5 volumes in 1862. He made himself notorious by claiming that he possessed a copy of the 2nd Folio Shakespeare, 1632, with many marginal emendations and annotations written in the middle of the 17th century, though, as was discovered, these notes were modern fabrications, probably by himself. Research John Collier
John Amos Comenius was a Czech educational reformer. He was born in 1592 at Moravia and died in 1670. In 1658 he wrote Orbis sensualium pictus, the first picture book for children. Research John Comenius
John Comyn (Lord of Badenoch) was one of the commissioners sent to confer about the marriage of the Maid of Norway to Prince Edward of England. On the competition for the Scotch throne in 1291 Comyn put in a claim as a descendant of Donald Bane. The date of his death is uncertain, but he was alive in 1299.
John Comyn called the 'Red Comyn', was the son of John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch,. He was chosen one of the three guardians of Scotland, and defeated the English at Roslin in 1302. He submitted to Edward I in 1304, and was killed by Bruce in the Convent of the Minorites at Dumfries in 1306. Research John Comyn
John Conington was an English classical scholar. He was born in 1825 and died in 1869. Educated at Rugby and Oxford, he was professor of Latin at Oxford from 1854 until 1869, and published translations of the Aeneid in octosyllabic verse, part of the Iliad in the Spenserian stanza, and the Odes, Satires, and Epistles of Horace. Research John Conington
John Conolly was an English physician. He was born in 1794 in Lincolnshire and died in 1866. He became an officer in the militia, married, and then studied medicine, graduating at Edinburgh in 1817. He practised for five years at Stratford-on-Avon, was from 1827 to 1830 in London, then removed to Warwick, and in 1839 was appointed resident physician to the MiddlesexAsylum at Hanwell, where he introduced a new form of treatment for the mentally ill, whereby mechanical restraints were no longer used, and helping largely to bring about the revolution in lunatic asylum management that now took place. His connection with the MiddlesexAsylum ceased in 1852. He latterly owned a private asylum. He was the author of several books. Research John Conolly
John Valentine Conroy (J V Conroy) is an Anglo-Indian hockey player. He was born in 1928. Britain's greatest ever hockey forward, he played in 55 internationals: 23 for Great Britain and 32 for England and was a member of the British 1952 and 1956 Olympic squads. He was the first Anglo-Indian to be picked to play hockey for Great Britain. Research John Conroy
John Constable was an English landscape painter. He was born in 1776 at Suffolk and died in 1837. He was employed in the business of his father, a wealthymiller, for some years, but entered as a student of the Royal Academy in 1799. It was not until 1814, twelve years after he had begun to exhibit pictures, that he succeeded in getting any of them sold. He obtained greater appreciation in France, and exercised a powerful influence on the development of French painting. In 1819 he became ARA, and RA in 1829. Among his principal pictures are The Valley Farm, The Hay Wain, and The Cornfield, all in the National Gallery;
and Salisbury Cathedral, in the Victoria and AlbertMuseum. Many of his works have been finely engraved by David Lucas. Research John Constable
John Sell Cotman was an English painter and etcher. He was born in 1782 in Norwich and died in 1842. He is renowned for his water colour and oil landscapes and his etchings of architectural objects. Research John Cotman
John Cotton was a Puritan clergyman, known as the Patriarch of New England. He was born in 1584 at Derby and died in 1652. He was educated at the University of Cambridge. In 1610 he was ordained a priest of the Church of England, and in 1612 he was chosen vicar of Saint Botolph's Church, Boston, Lincolnshire. He served there almost continuously until 1633, when, because of his Puritan leanings, he was summoned to appear before the archbishop of Canterbury, William Laud, at the Court of High Commission. Instead, John Cotton fled the country, and in September 1633 he arrived at the town of Boston, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. There he was ordained teacher of the First Church, a post he held until his death.
Both in England and in Massachusetts, John Cotton had a wide reputation for learning and piety, and he wielded a powerful influence in New England. He approved the exile from Massachusetts of the Puritan clergyman Roger Williams and the religious reformer Anne Hutchinson, whom he had first supported in her controversy with church authorities.
John Cotton became one of the heads of the Congregational church in Massachusetts, promulgating his teachings in more than fifty volumes, including 'The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven' published in 1644, 'The Way of the Churches of Christ in New England' published in 1645, and 'The Way of the Congregational Churches Cleared' published in 1648. He staunchly upheld the right of Puritan magistrates to enforce uniformity of religious beliefs. Research John Cotton
John Cotton Smith was an American politician. He was born in 1765 and died in 1845. He was a member of the Connecticut Legislature from 1796 to 1800, and represented Connecticut in the US Congress as a Federalist from 1800 to 1806. He was Judge of the State Supreme Court in 1809, Lieutenant-Governor in 1810 and Governor from 1813 to 1818. He was president of the American Bible Society from 1831 to 1845. Research John Cotton Smith
John Covode was an American politician. He was born in 1808 and died in 1871. He was elected to Congress in 1854 as an Anti-Masonic Whig from Pennsylvania and served from 1855 until 1863 as a Republican. He was chairman of the committee to investigate charges against President James Buchanan in 1860 (the Covode Investigation'). Research John Covode
Dr John Cowell was a British jurist. He was born in 1554 and died in 1611. He was the author of a law dictionary, and Institutiones Juris Anglicani. Research John Cowell
John Robert Cozens was an English water-colour artist. He was born in 1751 and died in 1799. He was the son of Alexander Cozens, an able artist in water-colours, whose father was the Czar, Peter the Great, and who was born in Russia of an English mother. Of the life of John Cozens little is known, but he exhibited pictures in public as early as 1767, resided for some time on the Continent, especially in Italy, and was insane for several years before his death. He is described as 'one of the most original and imaginative of landscape-painters, and the greatest of all the precursors of Turner and Girtin in the English school of water-colour'. He produced a number of unconventional impressionist landscapes. Research John Cozens
John Craig was a Scottish reformer. He was born in 1512 and died in 1600. He became Knox's colleague in Edinburgh, refused to publish the banns between Mary and Bothwell, assisted in drawing up the Second Book of Discipline, and compiled the National Covenant signed by the king in 1580. Research John Craig
John Wilson Croker was an English writer and politician. He was born in 1780 at Galway and died in 1857. Educated at Cork and at Trinity College, Dublin, he was called to the Irish bar in 1802. In 1803 he published anonymously Familiar Epistles on the Irish Stage, and in 1805 an Intercepted Letter from China, both clever satires. In 1808 he entered parliament as member for Downpatrick. He was appointed in 1809 to the position of secretary to the admiralty, which he retained until the reign of William IV. The Reform Bill was strenuously opposed by him, and on the passing of that measure in 1832 he withdrew from public life. He was one of the founders of the Quarterly Review, and one of its ablest contributors, though his articles display frequent malevolence. His other writings include an edition of Boswell's Life of Johnson; Him and Trafalgar, and Talavera, two poems; Stories from the History of England, from which Sir Walter Scott derived his idea of Tales of a Grandfather; and editions of the Suffolk Papers, Lady Hervey's Letters, Lord Hervey's Memoirs, and Walpole's Letters. Research John Croker
John Crome was an English landscape painter. He was born in 1769 at Norwich and died in 1821. The son of a Norwich weaver, during greater part of his life he was a teacher of drawing. In 1805 he founded the Norwich Society of Artists, of which he became president as well as chief contributor to its annual exhibitions. He excelled in depicting the scenery of his native county, and especially in his handling of trees; and his high place among British landscape-painters is now universally acknowledged. He is sometimes called ' Old Crome', to distinguish him from his son, Bernay Crome, who was also an artist. Research John Crome
John Culpeper was the leader of an insurrection in the Northern colony of the Carolinas in favor of popular liberty in 1678. While in England negotiating for the new government he was indicted for high treason, but was acquitted. Research John Culpeper
John Cumming was a Scottish divine. He was born in 1807 at Aberdeenshire and died in 1881. Educated at Aberdeen, he became minister of the Scotch Church, Crown Court, Covent Garden, London, where he laboured for half a century, publishing during that period over two hundred works. He had a high reputation as an orator, but he was most widely known latterly in connection with his prophecies of the speedy coming of the end of all things. His most popular works were: The Great Tribulation, The Redemption Draweth Nigh, Apocalyptic Sketches, Voices of the Night, Signs of the Times, etc. Research John Cumming
John Philpot Curran was an Irish advocate and politician. He was born in 1750 at Newmarket, near Cork and died in 1817. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, went to London, was called to the bar, and during the administration of the Duke of Portland obtained a silk gown. In 1784 he was chosen a member of the Irish House of Commons. His eloquence, wit, and ability soon made him the most popular advocate of his age and country. On a change of ministry during the vice-royalty of the Duke of Bedford his patriotism was rewarded with the office of master of the rolls, which he held until 1814, when he retired with a pension of 3000 pounds a year. A collection of his forensic speeches was published 1805. Research John Curran
John Curwen was a British music reformer. He was born in 1816 at Heckmondwike and died in 1860. He entered the congregational ministry and was minister at Plaistow from 1844 until 1864 when he resigned. In 1841 he studied the tonicsol-fa system invented by Miss Glover, and in 1843 published his 'Grammar of Vocal Music'. In 1853 he founded the Tonic Sol fa Association and the college, of which he was the first principal, in 1869, and wrote several books on the teaching of music. Research John Curwen
John Adolph Dahlgren was an American sailor. He was born in 1809 and died in 1870. He joined the US navy at an early age. He became noted as the designer of the improved Dahlgren cannon. At the outbreak of the American Civil War he was assigned to the command of the Navy Yard at Washington. He was naturally made chief of the ordnance bureau, was promoted to be rear-admiral, and commanded in the attack on the Charleston defences in 1863. His last important service was in co-operation with General Sherman, in the taking of Savannah, in 1864. Research John Dahlgren
John Dalrymple, first Earl of Stair, was a Scottish lawyer and statesman. He was born in 1648 and died in 1707. It was through him that the massacre of Glencoe was perpetrated in 1692. He succeeded his father (James Dalrymple) as viscount in 1695, and in 1703 was created earl. He was largely instrumental in bringing about the union between Scotland and England.
John Dalrymple was a Scottish soldier, diplomatist and the second Earl of Stair. He was born in 1673 and died in 1747. The second son of John Dalrymple, the second Earl of Stair, John Dalrymple first saw military service under the prince of Orange in Holland, and later served under the Duke of Marlborough, distinguishing himself at Ramillies, Oudenarde and Malplaquet. He succeeded to the earldom in 1707. from 1715 until 1720 he was ambassador in Paris, whence he secured the expulsion of the Old Pretender. For the next twenty years he devoted himself to the improvement of his estates and to political machinations against Walpole. In 1742 he was made a field-marshal and played a conspicuous part in the Battle of Dettingen. Research John Dalrymple
John Dalton was an English chemist and natural philosopher. He was born in 1766 at Eaglesfied and died in 1844. He taught mathematics for twelve years before becoming professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at New College, Manchester in 1793. In his diaries, which he kept for 57 years, he made more than 200,000 observations on the weather and in 1794 published the first scientific paper on the subject of colour-blindness, a condition he suffered from. He is famous for discovering atomic theory. Research John Dalton
John W Daniel was an American politician and orator. He was born in 1842 at Virginia in 1842. A Confederate adjutant-general, he was Representative from Virginia from 1885 until 1887, and Senator from 1887 until at least 1897. Research John Daniel
John Frederick Daniell was an English physicist. He was born in 1790 at London and died in 1845. In 1816 together with Brande he started the Quarterly Journal of Science and Art. In 1820 he published an account of a new hygrometer which he had invented. In 1831 he was appointed professor of chemistry in King's College, London, and made further important discoveries, chief amongst which was his apparatus for maintaining a powerful and continuous current of electricity in galvanic batteries. For these discoveries he received successively the three medals in the gift of the Royal Society. In 1843 he was made a DCL of Oxford. Research John Daniell
John Davenport was an English clergyman. He was born in 1597 and died in 1670. He emigrated to Boston in 1637. In 1638 he founded New Haven, of which colony for thirty years he was minister, and a chief member of the government. Since none except members of the church were burgesses, he had great power and influence. Research John Davenport
Sir John Davies was an English poet and lawyer. He was born in 1570 and died in 1626. In 1603 he was appointed solicitor-general for Ireland, and soon after attorney-general. He was knighted in 1607, returned to the English parliament in 1621, and obtained the dignity of lord chief-justice in 1626. He wrote Orchestra; Hymns to Astrea; Nosce Teipsum, a metaphysical poem and hia best-known work; he is also the author of a work on the political state of Ireland. Research John Davies
John Davis (John Davys) was an English navigator. He was born in 1550 at Sandridge, in Devonshire and died in 1605. Between 1585 and 1587 he conducted three expeditions for the discovery of the north-west passage. In the first he coasted round the south of Greenland and sailed across the strait that now bears his name into Cumberland Gulf, and in the third he sailed north through Davis Strait into Baffin's Bay. He also accompanied the expedition of Cavendish to the Pacific in 1591 to 1593, and made several voyages to the East Indies. In 1605 John Davis was killed by Japanese pirates in the Indian seas. He wrote Seamen's Secrets (a work on navigation), and the World's Hydrographical Description.
John Davis was an American statesman. He was born in 1787 and died in 1854. He was a National Republican Congressman from 1825 until 1834, when he became Governor of Massachusetts. From 1835 to 1840 he was a US Senator, and opposed the administrations of Jackson and Van Buren. After again serving as Governor from 1840 until 1841, he was returned to the Senate from 1845 until 1853. He opposed the Mexican War and the introduction and extension of slavery, and received the appellation of 'Honest John Davis'. Research John Davis
Sir John William Dawson was a Canadian geologist. He was born in 1820 at Pictou, Nova Scotia and died in 1899. He was educated at Pictou and at Edinburgh University, and early turned his attention to geology, having published papers on the subject when not much over twenty. He accompanied Sir Charles Lyell when examining the geology of Nova Scotia in 1842. In 1850 he became superintendent of education for Nova Scotia, and in 1855 principal and professor of natural history in M'Gill College, Montreal, in which position, as well as in that of vice-chancellor, and latterly principal of the university, his services in the cause of education were very marked. He became a member of the Royal Society (London) in 1862, was knighted in 1885, and was president of the British Association in 1886 during its meeting at Birmingham. His published works include Acadian Geology; The Story of the Earth and Man; Science and the Bible; The Dawn of Life; etc. Research John Dawson
John de Baliol, or John de Balliol, of BarnardCastle, Northumberland, was a Norman noble. He was born about 1220 and died in 1269. He was the father of king John Baliol, and was known as a great baron in the reign of Henry III, to whose cause he strongly attached himself in his struggles with the barons. In 1263 he laid the foundation of Balliol College, Oxford, which was completed by his widow Devorguila or Devorgilla. She was daughter and co-heiress of Allan of Galloway, a great baron of Scotland, by Margaret, eldest daughter of David, Earl of Huntingdon, brother of William the Lion. It was on the strength of this genealogy that his son John Baliol became temporary King of Scotland. Research John de Baliol
John Dee was an English astrologer, geographer, mathematician, alchemist and philosopher. He was born in 1527 at London and died in 1608. Educated at London, Chelmsford and at St John's college Cambridge he travelled within Europe lecturing on Euclid and philosophy and became astrologer royal to Mary I and later Elizabeth I. With his assistant, Edward Kelley, he claimed to be in communication with the spirits, who provided him with invocations known as the Enochian Calls, plans for amulets, seals of the angels, the names of angels, demons and other spirits. Perhaps his most important work documenting these spiritual conversations was his 'Heptarchia Mystica'. Research John Dee
John Thaddeus Delane was editor of the Times newspaper. He was born in 1817 and died in 1879. He became editor in 1841 and remained until 1877. During his editorship the newspaper gained in influence and circulation. Research John Delane
Sir John Denham was an Irish poet. He was born in 1615 at Dublin and died in 1669, and was buried in WestminsterAbbey. In 1641 he first became known by his tragedy of The Sophy, and in 1642 he published the first edition of his most celebrated poem, called Cooper's Hill. He was subsequently intrusted with several confidential missions by the royalist party, and, being detected, fled to France. At the restoration in 1660 he obtained the office of surveyor of the king's buildings, and was created a knight of the Bath, and a fellow of the newly-formed Royal Society. Research John Denham
John Dennis was an English critic. He was born in 1657 at London and died in 1734. He was, to begin with, a man of independent means, and devoting himself to literature wrote some dramatic pieces and poems, and at length settled down to criticism. His irritability and rancorous criticisms involved him in perpetual broils. He was best known for his quarrels with Alexander Pope. He wrote a stage tragedy for which he devised a form of stage thunder which was later used in a production of Macbeth, in response to which Dennis complained that they had stolen his thunder. Hence the origin of the term to steal one's thunder. Research John Dennis
John Denver (real name Henry John Deutschendorf Jr) was an American folk singer, actor and environmentalist. He was born in 1943 at Roswell, New Mexico and died in 1997 in a plane crash. As a child he was bought an acousticguitar by his grandfather, and after learning to play it appeared at Leadbetter's night club in West Los Angeles before getting a break replacing the departing ChadMitchell in the ChadMitchell Trio, staying with the group until going solo in 1969. From 1969 until 1975 he was a major-selling artist in the country and pop charts. In 1970 he started acting, appearing in an episode of the televisiondrama 'McCloud' before starring in the 1977 film 'Oh God' after which he devoted more attention to politics, specialising in environmental issues. Research John Denver
John Dickinson was an American politician. He was born in 1732 at Philadelphia and died in 1808. A Philadelphia lawyer, he was in 1765 elected to the Colonial Congress, and in 1768 distinguished himself by writing 'Letters from a Pennsylvania Farmer' in defence of the liberties of America. Elected to the Continental Congress in 1774, he wrote its "Address to the Inhabitants of Quebec', its 'Declaration to the Armies', its 'Address to the States', and its two petitions to the king. He opposed the Declaration of Independence as premature, but served loyally in the army. Again a member of Congress, he was chosen president of Delaware in 1781, and was president of Pennsylvania from 1782 to 1785. He was a member of the Federal Convention of 1787, and advocated the adoption of the Constitution. He was considered a man of high character and cultivation. Research John Dickinson
John Dillinger was an American bank robber. He was born in 1902 and died in 1934. He roamed America during the depression robbing banks and was supposed to have murdered sixteen people in the process. declared 'public enemy number one' he was killed during a shoot-out with the FBI in Chicago. Research John Dillinger More information about John Dillinger
John Doe and Richard Roe were sham names formerly used as standing pledges for the prosecution of suits, used to protect the true identities of those involved. In early times real and substantial persons were required to pledge themselves to answer to the crown for an amercement or fine set upon the plaintiff for raising a false accusation. As the matter became mere formality, the false names of John Doe or Richard Roe became popularly used until they were no longer needed when the Common Law Procedure Act of 1852 declared the form no longer necessary. Research John Doe
John Dollond was an English optician of French descent. He was born in 1706 and died in 1761. He devoted his attention to the improvement of refracting telescopes, and succeeded in constructing object-glasses in which the refrangibility of the rays of light was corrected. Subsequent members of the family have distinguished themselves in optics, astronomy, etc. Research John Dollond
John William Donaldson was an English philologist. He was born in 1811 at London and died in 1861. He studied at London University and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was elected a fellow. His first work was The Theatre of the Greeks, a work showing much erudition. In 1839 he published The New Cratylus, which was amongst the earliest attempts to bring the philological literature of the Continent within the reach of the English student. In 1844 appeared the first edition of Varronianus, a work on Latin similar in scope to the Cratylus. Amongst his other writings are grammars of the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages.He became headmaster of Bury St Edmundsgrammar school in 1841 and resigned from the post in 1855, thereafter tutoring at Cambridge. *John Donne
John Donne was an English poet and divine. He was born in 1573 at London and died in 1631. The son of a merchant of London, he studied both at Oxford and Cambridge. In his nineteenth year he abjured the Catholic religion, and became secretary to the Lord-chancellor Ellesmere, but finally lost his office by a clandestine marriage with his patron's niece. The young couple were in consequence reduced to great distress, until his father-in-law relented so far as to give his daughter a moderate portion. By the desire of King James John Donne took orders, and, settling in London, was made preacher of Lincoln's Inn. In 1621 he was appointed Dean of St Paul's. He was chosen prolocutor to the convocation in 1623-24. As a poet, and the precursor of Cowley, John Donne may be deemed the founder of what Dr. Johnson calls the metaphysical class of poets. Abounding in thought this school generally neglected versification, and that of John Donne was peculiarly harsh and unmusical. His style is quaint and pedantic; but he displays sound learning, deep thinking, and originality of manner. Besides the works already mentioned, he wrote Letters, Sermons, Essays on Divinity, and other pieces. Research John Donaldson
John Doran was an English author and editor. He was born in 1807 at London of Irish parents and died in 1878. He began writing when a mere youth, and produced a great number of books, among them being Lives of the Queens of England of the House of Hanover, Monarchs retired from Business, History of Court Fools, the Princes of Wales, Their Majesties' Servants (a history of the English stage from Betterton to Kean), A Lady of the Last Century (Mrs. Montague), London in Jacobite Times. Research John Doran
John Downes was an American sailor. He was born in 1786 and died in 1855. He entered the navy in 1802, and commanded the Essex and captured the Georgiana, which, renamed the Essex Junior, he afterward commanded until 1814, and from 1819 to 1821 he commanded the Macedonia, from 1828 to 1829 the Java, and from 1832 to 1834 the Pacificsquadron. Research John Downes
John William Draper was an English-born chemist and physiologist. He was born in 1811 at Liverpool and died in 1882. Born in England he went to America in 1832 and was successively professor of physical science in Hampden-Sidney College, Virginia, and of natural history, chemistry, and physiology in the University of New York.. He made extensive contributions to science, particularly in the line of chemistry and the action of light. During the American Civil War he was inspector of hospitals. Among his chief works is his History of the Intellectual Development of Europe. Research John Draper
John Dryden was a British poet. He was born in 1631 at Aldwinkle All-Saints, Northamptonshire and died in 1700. He was was descended from an ancient family, his grandfather being Sir Erasmus Dryden of Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire. He was admitted a king's scholar at Westminster under the celebrated Dr. Busby, whence he went to Trinity College, Cambridge, being here elected to a scholarship.
After university he appears to have settled at London in 1657, where he acted as secretary to his cousin Sir Gilbert Pickering, a favourite of Oliver Cromwell; and on the death of the Protector he wrote his Heroic Stanzas on that event. At the Restoration, however, he hailed the return of Charle II in Astraea Redux, and from that time his devotion to the Stuarts knew no decay.
In 1661 he produced his first play, The Duke of Guise; but the first that was performed was The Wild Gallant, which appeared in 1663 and was not a success. This was followed by The Rival Ladies, and The Indian Queen, a tragedy on Montezuma in heroic verse, written in collaboration with Sir Robert Howard, whose sister, Lady Elizabeth Howard, John Dryden married in 1663. He followed up The Indian Queen with The Indian Emperor, which at once raised John Dryden to the highest pitch of public estimation, an elevation which he retained until his death.
The great fire of London put a stop for some time to theatrical exhibitions. In the interval John Dryden published the Annus Mirabilis, an historical account of the events of the year 1666, one of the most elaborate of his productions. In 1668 he also published his celebrated Essay on Dramatic Poesy - the first attempt to regulate dramatic writing. In 1668 the Maiden Queen, a tragi-comedy, was represented. This was followed in 1670 by the Tempest, an alteration from William Shakespeare, in which he was assisted by Sir William Davenant. It was received with general applause, notwithstanding the very questionable taste and propriety of the added characters.
John Dryden was shortly afterwards appointed to the offices of royal historiographer and poet-laureate, with a salary of 200 pounds a year. He now became professionally a writer for the stage, and produced many pieces, some of which have been strongly censured for their licentiousness and want of good taste. The first of his political and poetical satires, Absalom and Achitophel (Monmouth and Shaftesbury), was produced in 1681, and was followed by The Medal, a satire against sedition; and MacFlecknoe, a satire on the poet Shadwell.
On the accession of James in 1685 John Dryden became a Roman Catholic, a conversion the sincerity of which has been not unreasonably regarded with suspicion, considering the time at which it occurred. At court the new convert was received with open arms, a considerable addition was made to his pension, and he defended his new religion at the expense of the old one in a poem, The Hind and the Panther. Among his other services to the new king were a savage reply to an attack by Stillingfleet, and panegyrics on Charles and James under the title of Britannia Rediviva.
At the Revolution John Dryden was deprived of the offices of poet-laureate and historiographer, and of the certain income which these offices secured him. During the remaining ten years of his life he produced some of his best work, including his admirable translations from the classics. He published, in conjunction with Congreve, Creech, and others, a translation of Juvenal, and one of Persius entirely by himself. About a third part of Juvenal was translated by John Dryden, who wrote an essay on satire which was prefixed to the whole. His poetic translation of Virgil appeared in 1697, and, soon after that masterpiece of lyric poetry, Alexander's Feast, his Fables, etc.
He died on May the 1st, 1700, at the age of sixty-nine, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. John Dryden is unequalled as a satirist among English poets, and the best of his tragedies are unsurpassed by any since written. His poetry as a whole is more remarkable for vigour and energy than beauty, but he did much to improve English verse. He was also an admirableprosewriter. Personally he waa modest and kindly. The whole of his works, edited by Sir Walter Scott, were published in 1818 they were later re-published with additional notes, etc, by George Saintsbury. Research John Dryden
Sir John Thomas Duckworth was a British admiral. He was born in 748 and died in 1817. He joined the navy when eleven years of age; and was post-captain in 1780. In 1793, on the breaking out of the French war, he was appointed to the command of the Orion, 74, forming part of the Channel fleet under LordHowe, and distinguished himself in 1794 in the great naval victory gained by that celebrated admiral. In 1798 he aided in the capture of Minorca. From 1800 to 1806 he rendered important services on the West India station, in particular gaining a complete victory over a French squadron, for which he received a pension of 1000 pounds a year and the thanks of both houses of parliament. In 1807, having been ordered to Constantinople (Istanbul), he forced the passage of the Dardanelles, but suffered severely from the Turkish batteries in returning. Between 1810 and 1813 he was governor of Newfoundland, in 1817 he was appointed to the chief command at Plymouth. In 1813 he was created a baronet. Research John Duckworth
John Dudley was Duke of Northumberland. He was born in 1502 and died in 1553. The son of Sir Edmund Dudley, minister of Henry VII he was left by Henry VIII one of the executors named in his will, as a kind of joint-regent during the minority of Edward VI. Under that prince he manifested the most insatiable ambition, and obtained vast accessions of honours, power, and emoluments. The illness of the king, over whom he had gained complete ascendency, aroused his fears, and he endeavoured to strengthen hia interest by marrying his son LordGuildford Dudley to Lady Jane Grey, descended from the younger sister of Henry VIII, and persuaded Edward to settle the crown on his kinswoman by will, to the exclusion of his two sisters, the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth. The death of the king, the abortive attempts to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne, and the ruin of all those concerned in the scheme, are among the most familiar events in the annals of England. Research John Dudley
John Duns (also known as Duns Scotus) was a Scottish philosopher. He was born perhaps in 1265 at Roxburghshire (possibly) and died in 1308. He was admitted when young into an institution belonging to the Franciscan friars at Newcastle, whence he was sent to Merton College, Oxford. In 1301 he was appointed divinity professor at Oxford, and the fame of his learning and talents drew crowds of scholars from all parts. In 1304 he went to Paris, and was appointed professor and regent in the theological schools, in which situation he acquired the title of 'the subtledoctor'. John Duns opposed Thomas Aquinas on the subject of grace and free-will; and hence the Scotists are opposed to the Thomists. John Duns was the apostle of realism, which was opposed to the systems of nominalism and conceptualism promulgated by the other sections into which the schoolmen were divided. He died, it is said, at Cologne in 1308, leaving behind him numerous works. Research John Duns Scotus
John Dyer was an English poet. He was born in 1700 at Aberglasney and died in 1758. Educated at Westminster School, he became a painter, but not succeeding in that capacity took orders and was appointed to a small living. In 1727 he published his poem of Grongar Hill, in 1740 The Ruins of Rome, and in 1757 The Fleece, a didactic poem in five books.His collected works were published in 1770 by Dodsley. Research John Dyer
John Bacchus Dykes was an English church-music composer. He was born in 1823 and died in 1876. He was one of the founders of the Cambridge University Musical Society and a writer of many hymns. Research John Dykes
John Eadie was a Scottish preacher and theologian. He was born in 1810 and died in 1876. He was educated at Glasgow University, and entered the ministry of the SecessionChurch, becoming in 1843 professor of biblical literature in the Divinity Hall of the church, a post which he continued to hold after the Secession body was merged in the United Presbyterian Church in 1847. Among his works are Biblical Cyclopaedia; Analytical Concordance to the Scriptures; Ecclesiastical Cyclopedia; Commentary on the Greek Text of Ephesians, and similar works on Colossians, Philippians, and Galatians; and The English Bible. He was one of the scholars engaged on the Revised Version of the New Testament. Research John Eadie
John Eager Howard was an American soldier. He was born in 1752 and died in 1827. A colonel, he joined the Revolutionary army at the outbreak of the American War of Independence, and was a captain under General Mercer at White Plains in 1776. He commanded as major at Germantown and Monmouth, fought at Camden in 1780 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and won great fame at Cowpens in 1781. He was Governor of Maryland from 1789 to 1792. In 1796 he declined the portfolio of Secretary of War in George Washington's Cabinet. He was a US Senator from 1796 to 1803. Research John Eager Howard
John Earle was an English bishop and writer. He was born about 1601 and died in 1665. He was educated at Oxford, and after writing some short poems gave to the world anonymously in 1628 Microcosmographie, or a Piece of the World discovered in Essays and Characters - a work full of wit, humour, and admirable character-painting. He was tutor to Charles II, accompanied him during his exile, and was held by him in the highest esteem. In 1662 he was consecrated Bishop of Worcester, and next year was translated to Salisbury. Research John Earle
John Earle was an English Anglo-Saxon scholar. He was born in 1824 and died in 1903. He was educated at Oriel College, Oxford, where he obtained first-class honours in classics, and was elected a fellow in 1848. In the following year he took orders, and was appointed for five years university professor of Anglo-Saxon. In 1857 he became rector of Swanswick, near Bath, and in 1871 a prebendary of Wells. The five years' rule having been rescinded, he was re-elected professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford in 1876, and continued to hold the position, together with the rectory of Swanswick, until his death. Among his contributions to the study of Anglo-Saxon and modern English are the following: Two Saxon Chronicles Parallel (1865); The Philology of the English Tongue (1871);, A Book for the Beginner in Anglo-Saxon (1877), English Plant Names from the Tenth to the Fifteenth Century (1880); Anglo-Saxon Literature (1884), a very useful and informing little manual; Handbook to the Land Charters and other Saxonic Documents (1888); English Prose:
its Elements, History, and Usage (1890); The Deeds of Beowulf (1892), a translation of the well-known Anglo-Saxon epic; The Psalter of 1539 (1894); and A Simple Grammar of English Now in Use (1898). He also wrote a book on Bath, Ancient and Modern (1864). Research John Earle (2)
Sir John Eliot was an English politician. He was born in 1592 and died in 1632. He entered parliament in 1614 as member for St Germans, winning immediate reputation as an orator. As vice-admiral of Devon he was energetic in suppressing piracy. In the three parliaments of 1623, 1625, 1626, he made his way to the front of the constitutional party, joined Hampden and the rest in refusing contributions to the forced loan, and took a prominent share in drawing up the Remonstrance and Petition of Right. He was imprisoned in the Tower in 1629, and died still in confinement in 1632. During his imprisonment he wrote a work on constitutional monarchy entitled the Monarchy of Man. Research John Eliot
John Eliot (the Apostle of the Indians) was an English missionary. He was born in 1604 and died in 1690. He emigrated to Boston from England in 1631. Soon after his arrival he began studying the Indian language and translated portions of the Gospel, and in 1646 began to preach to the Indians without the aid of an interpreter. In 1660 he founded an Indian church at Natick, and in 1663 a catechism was published, the first publication ever made in the Indian language. The same year he completed a translation of both the Old and New Testaments. Research John Eliot (2)
John Elwes was an English miser. He was born about 1712 ab dided in 1789. His own name was Meggot, but he changed it on succeeding to an estate left him by his uncle, Sir Harvey Elwes. He was educated at Westminter School, and in his younger days was noted for his skill in horsemanship and love of the chase. He was elected member for Berkshire in 1774. His fortune and parsimonious habits increased in equal ratio, and at his death in 1789 he left, besides entailed estates, a fortune of half a million to his two natural sons. Research John Elwes
John Endicott was a British colonial governor. He was born in 1588 and died in 1665. He arrived from England in 1628 to assume the government of the colony at Salem, where he continued as Governor until 1630, at which time the government of the Massachusetts Company and colony was transferred to New England. From 1641 until 1644 and in 1650 he was Deputy Governor, and was made Governor in 1644, 1649, and from 1651 until 1665 except 1654, when he was again Deputy Governor. In 1645 he was appointed to the highest command in the colonial army, and in 1658 was made president of the colonial commissioners. He was a man of firm convictions and choleric disposition, who tolerated no divergence from the strictly orthodox in religion, and meted out a severe type of justice to all who disobeyed the laws of the colony. Research John Endicott
John England was an Irish-born American priest. He was born in 1786 and died in 1842. He was made Bishop of North and South Carolina and Georgia in 1850, and was the first Catholic clergyman invited to preach in the Hall of Representatives at Washington. Research John England
Sir John Eric Erichsen was a Danish surgeon. He was born in 1818 and died in 1896. The son of a Copenhagenmerchant, he spent nearly all his life in England. He studied at University College, London, became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1839, a Eellow in 1845, and in 1850 Professor of Surgery and Hospital Surgeon at University College. In 1865 he succeeded Quain as Professor of Clinical Surgery in the same college, but retired in 1875. He became President of University College in 1887, and held that post unil his death in 1896. Latterly he was chief Surgeon-extraordinary to Queen Victoria, and in 1895 he was made a baronet. His most important work was his Science and Art of Surgery (1853). He also published a volume on Concussion of the Spine (1875). Research John Erichsen
John Ericsson was a Swedish-American engineer. He was born in 1803 and died in 1889. In 1836 he invented the screw-propeller. He went to the United States in 1839, and in 1841 produced the war steamer 'Princeton', which revolutionized the navies of the world. During the American Civil War he was employed in building monitors; the first of which, the Monitor, destroyed the Confederate ironcladMerrimac, in 1862. He is the author of a great number of valuable inventions, the most important of which are connected with engines and naval equipments. Research John Ericsson
John Samuel Ersch was a German bibliographer. He was born in 1766 and died in 1828. He was principal librarian and professor of geography and statistics at Halle. Among his publications are a Dictionary of French Writers; a Manual of German Literature; and, in connection with Gruber, the Universal Encyclopaedia of Arts and Sciences published at Leipzig in 1818. Research John Ersch
John Erskine of Carnock, afterwards of Cardross was a Scottish jurist. He was born in 1695 and died in 1768. He was called to the Scotch bar in 1719, and was author of Principles of the Law of Scotland, and the Institute of the Law of Scotland, both works of authority. Research John Erskine
John Esten Cooke was an American writer. He was born in 1830 and died in 1886. A resident of Virginia, he entered the Confederate army, his experiences in which furnished the materials for some of his writings. He also wrote on Virginian history. Research John Esten Cooke
Sir John Evans was an English archaeologist. He was born in 1823. He was for some time an active member of a firm of paper-makers, but later retired from business and devoted himself chiefly to scientific pursuits, being distinguished as a geologist, numismatist, and antiquarian. From 1878 until 1896 he was treasurer of the Royal Society; in, 1897 he was president at the Toronto meeting of the British Association. He was created a KCB in 1892. His chief works are; The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons, and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland;
and The Ancient Bronze Implements, etc, of Great Britain and Ireland. Research John Evans
John Evelyn was an English diarist and friend of Samuel Pepys. He was born in 1620 at Wotton in Surrey and died in 1706. After completing his course at Oxford he studied law at the Middle Temple, visited various parts of the Continent, and in 1659 took the royal side in the English Civil War. He published numerous works, amongst which are Sculptura, or the History and Art of Chalcography; Sylva, or a Discourse of Forest Trees; treatises on gardening, architecture, etc. But by far his most important work is his memoirs, comprehending a diary and correspondence, which are interesting contributions to the history of the time. Research John Evelyn
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th president of the USA from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. A son of the millionaire Joseph P Kennedy, he was born in 1917 and served with distinction in the navy during the Second World War. In 1953 he entered politics as the Democratic representative for Massachusetts. In 1953 he married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier. In 1960 he ran for president, beating Richard Nixon by a narrow margin to become the first Catholic president of the USA. Following his bungled attempt to invadeCuba he instructed the CIA to assassinate Fidel Castro. This also failed and resulted in the placing of Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuba in 1962. Kennedy backed down, and the Soviets removed their missiles, and in 1963 a Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty was signed between the USA, Britain and the USSR. On the 22nd of November 1963, while being filmed for television as he drove through Dallas in an open car Kennedy was shot through the head by a sniper, and killed.
Despite controversy surrounding the killing, the undoubted assassin was Lee Harvey Oswald, who was himself shot and killed whilst in police custody awaiting trial. However, there are numerous theories as to whether the CIA or the KGB ordered the killing. Since the break-up of the Soviet Union, and the publication of KGB files it is clear that the Soviets did not have a hand in the killing, as for another secret service, the matter is one for conjecture. Research John F Kennedy
John F Reynolds was an American soldier. He was born in 1820 and died in 1863. He was brevetted major for gallantry at Monterey and Buena Vista during the Mexican War. He commanded a Pennsylvaniabrigade in the Peninsular campaign at Games' Mill and Glendale, and led a division at the second Battle of Bull Run. In 1862 he commanded the Pennsylvania militia for the defence of the State. He was promoted major-general and commanded the First Corps at Fredericksburg. He led the left wing at the beginning of the Battle of Gettysburg, where he was killed. Research John F Reynolds
John F Hartranft was an American politician. He was born in 1830 and died in 1889. He entered the army in 1861, had commands at Roanoke, Antietam and Fredericksburg, was brigadier-general at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Petersburg and brevetted major-general in 1865. He was Governor of Pennsylvania from 1872 to 1878. Research John F. Hartranft
John Faed was a Scottish artist. He was born in 1820 at Kirkcudbrightshire and died in 1902. He showed artistic talent at an early age. In 1841 he went to Edinburgh to study, and some years later acquired a considerable reputation. Research John Faed
John B Faribault was an American pioneer. He was born in 1769 and died in 1860. A pioneer of great influence over the Indians among whom he traded; he was the first to cultivate land west of the Mississippi and north of the Des Moines. Research John Faribault
John Faust was a German 16th century occultist. According to some accounts he was born in Suabia, others make him a native of Anhalt, others of Brandenburg. When he was sixteen years old he went to Ingolstadt and studied theology, became in three years a magister, but abandoned theology, and began the study of medicine, astrology, and magic, in which he likewise instructed his familiar Johann Wagner, the son of a clergyman at Wasserburg. After John Faust had spent a rich inheritance, he allegedly, according to tradition, made use of his power to conjure up spirits, and entered into a contract with the devil for twenty-four years. A spirit called Mephistopheles was given him as a servant, with whom he travelled about, enjoying life in all its forms, but the evil spirit finally carried him off. Even yet John Faust and his familiar Wagner play a conspicuous part in the puppet-shows of Germany, and the legend forms the subject of Goethe's great drama Faust, and furnishes the libretto for Gounod's famous opera of the same name. As early as 1590 the legend was dramatically treated in England by Christopher Marlowe. Research John Faust
John Fell was an English scholar and bishop. He was born in 1625 and died in 1686. He took up arms on behalf of Charles I and after the restoration of Charles II was made canon of Christ Church, Oxford, and chaplain to the king, being also created bishop of Oxford in 1675. Research John Fell
John Field was an Irish composer. He was born in 1782 at Dublin and died in 1837. He gave his first public pianorecital when he was nine. Research John Field
John Filson was an early explorer on the Western frontiers of the United States. He was born in 1747 and died in 1788. He collected and published much information in regard to the history of Kentucky. Research John Filson
John Fisher was Bishop of Rochester. He was born in 1459, at Beverley, in Yorkshire, and died in 1535. He graduated MA at Cambridge in 1491. In 1501 he received the degree of DD, and was made chancellor of the university. In 1504 he was promoted to the see of Rochester. He opposed Henry VIII.'s divorce; listened to the pretended prophecies of ElizabethBarton, the Maid of Kent; opposed the royal supremacy, and was imprisoned in 1534 and attainted. His appointment as cardinal by Paul III led to his execution after trial by a special commission. Research John Fisher
John Fitch was an American watchmaker, gunsmith and boat builder. He was born in 1743 at Connecticut and died in 1798. At the outbreak of the American War of Independence he engaged in gun-making for the American forces. He spent the winter with the troops at Valley Forge, and in 1780 was appointed deputy-surveyor of Virginia. In 1785 he constructed a boat propelled by steam power, and in 1790 one of his improved passenger boats plied regularly between Philadelphia and Burlington. Robert Fulton is said to have had access to his drawings and papers, and it was proved by the courts in 1817, that his inventions and those of Fitch were in substance the same. John Fitch's efforts resulted in commercial failure, perhaps because of Robert Fulton, and he committed suicide. Research John Fitch
John Flamsteed was an English astronomer. He was born in 1646 and died in 1719. He graduated at Cambridge in 1674, took orders in the church, but devoted himself chiefly to mathematical and astronomical pursuits. He was appointed by Charles II astronomical observator to the king, and carried on his observations at the Queen's House at Greenwich, until the observatory was built for him in 1676. Here he passed his life; formed the first trustworthy catalogue of fixed stars; and supplied the lunar observations by means of which Isaac Newton verified his lunar theory. His great work, Historia Coelestis, was finished in 1723. In 1832 the discovery of a collection of his letters disclosed a protracted quarrel between him and Isaac Newton. Research John Flamsteed
John Flavel was an English nonconformist divine. He was born in 1627 at Worcestershire and died in 1691. He was curate at Deptford and Dartmouth, but was ejected under the Act of Uniformity, when he continued to preach privately. After the fall of the Stuarts he returned to Dartmouth. His works were for a long time immensely popular. Research John Flavel
John Flaxman was an English draughtsman, designer and sculptor. He was born in 1755 at York, and died in 1826. His earliest notions of art were derived from casts in the shop of his father, who sold plaster figures, from many of which the young Flaxman made models in clay. In 1770 he was admitted a student at the Royal Academy, and from 1775 he worked for 12 years as a designer to the pottery firm of Wedgwood. In 1787 he went to Italy where he remained for seven years, returning to England in 1794. He was elected an associate of the Royal Academy in 1797, royal academician 1800, and in 1810 was appointed professor of sculpture to that institution. His works are very numerous, and are to be found all over the country; and a large collection of casts from the original models, etc, is preserved in University College, London. Research John Flaxman
John Fleming was a Scottish naturalist. He was born in 1785 near Linlithgow and died in 1857. He was successively minister of the parish of Bressay, in Shetland; professor of natural philosophy at King's College, Aberdeen, and professor of natural science at tlie New College, Edinburgh. He wrote a report on the Economical Mineralogy of the Orkney and Zetland Islands; the Philosophy of Zoology; British Animals; and a large number of papers on zoology, palaeontology, and geology contributed to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, the North British Review, etc. Research John Fleming
John Fletcher was a British dramatist. He was born in 1579 at Rye, Sussex and died in 1625. His father was successively dean of Peterborough, bishop of Bristol, Worcester, and London. The Woman Hater, produced in 1606-1607, is the earliest work known to exist in which he had a hand. It does not appear that he was ever married. He died in London of the plague, in August, 1625, and was buried at St Saviour's, Southwark. The friendship of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, like their literary partnership, was singularly close; they lived in the same house, and are said to have even had their clothes in common. The works that pass under their names consist of over fifty plays, a masque, and some minor poems. It is believed that all the minor poems except one were written by Francis Beaumont. After the death of Francis Beaumont John Fletcher continued to write plays alone or with other dramatists. It is now difficult, if not indeed impossible, to determine with certainty the respective shares of the two poets in the plays passing under their names.
According to the testimony of some of their contemporaries Francis Beaumont possessed the deeper and more thoughtful genius, John Fletcher the gayer and more idyllic. Four Plays in One, Wit at Several Weapons, Thierry and Theodoret, Maid's Tragedy, Philaster, King and No King, Knight of the Burning pestle, Cupid's Revenge, Little French Lawyer, Scornful Lady, Coxcomb, and Laws of Candy have been assigned to Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher conjointly. To Francis Beaumont alone - The Masque of the Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. To John Fletcher alone - The Faithful Shepherdess, Woman-hater, Loyal Subject, Mad Lover, Valentinian, Double Marriage, Humorous Lieutenant, Island Princess, Pilgrims, Wild-goose Chase, Spanish Curate, Beggar's Bush, Rule a Wife and Have a Wife, Fair Maid of the Inn, etc. To John Fletcher and Rowley - Queen of Corinth, Maid of the Mill, and Bloody Brother. To John Fletcher and Massinger - False One, and Very Woman. To John Fletcher and Shirley - Noble Gentleman, Night-walker, and Love's Pilgrimage. To John Fletcher and William Shakespeare - Two Noble Kinsmen. Research John Fletcher
John Florio was an Italian-English lexicographer and translator. He was born in 1553 at London of Italian parents and died in 1625. He taught French and Italian in Oxford University. He was appointed by James I teacher of languages to the queen and Prince Henry. His chief works are his Italian and English Dictionary, the World of Words, and his translation of Montaigne. Shakespeare is said to have ridiculed him in the character of Holofernes in Love's Labour's Lost. Research John Florio
John B Floyd was an American politician. He was born in 1807 at New York and died in 1863. He served in the Virginia Legislature from 1847 until 1849 and in 1853, and was Governor from 1850 until 1853. He was appointed Secretary of War by President Buchanan, and served from 1857 until 1860, when he resigned. He was accused of conspiracy in aiding the Secessionists while Secretary of War, especially in removing war materials to Southern arsenals. He joined the Confederate army as a brigadier-general and fought at Fort Donelson, but was soon after relieved of command by Davis. Research John Floyd
Sir John Forbes was a Scottish physician, a homosopathist, phrenologist, and believer in mesmerism. He was born in 1787 and died in 1861. He received his professional education at Aberdeen and Edinburgh, graduating MD at the latter in 1817. In 1840 he settled in London, and soon became physician extraordinary to the Prince Consort, and physician to the Queen. In 1853 he was knighted. His first works were his translations of the writings of Avenbrugger and Laennec on auscultation and the use of the stethoscope. To the Cyclopaedia of Practical Medicine, of which he was joint-editor, he contributed some of the best articles' in the work. He was the founder of the British and Foreign Medical Review, and published a number of professional and other works. Research John Forbes
John Ford was a British dramatist. He was born in 1586 and died in 1640. He entered the Middle Temple in 1602, and appears to have practised as a lawyer. In 1606 he published a monody on Charles Blount, Lord Monntjoy, afterwards Earl of Devonshire. His dramas are: The Lover's Melancholy (1629); 'Tis a Pity she's aWhore (1633); The Broken Heart (1633); Perkin Warbeck (1634); The Fancies Chaste and Noble (1638); The Lady's Trial (1639); The Sun's Darling (1657), and several others written in conjunction with Dekker, Webster, and others. Research John Ford
John Fordun was a Scottish hisorian (known as the father of Scottish history). He was born soon after 1300 probably at Fordoun, Kincardineshire and died about 1386. He wrote the first five books of his history known as the Scotichronicon (in Latin), bringing it down to 1153, and part of the sixth, and left materials for its continuation down to his own period. It was resumed about 1441 by Walter Bower, abbot of the monastery of Inchcolm, by whom the five books of Fordun were enlarged, and eleven new ones added, bringing the history down to 1437. It exists in numerous manuscript copies, and several printed editions have been published, the best of which is that of W. F. Skene, Edinburgh, 1871-72, with translation. Research John Fordun
John Forster was an English writer. He was born in 1812 at Newcastle and died in 1876. While studying for the bar in London he contributed to the Examiner and other periodicals. In 1843 he was called to the bar, but his main interests remained in the field of literature. He became editor of the Daily News in 1846, and shortly afterwards of the Examiner. In 1848 he published his Life of Goldsmith. In 1856 he retired from the editorship of the Examiner, having been appointed the year previous secretary to the Lunacy Commission, of which he became in 1861 a commissioner. During this period he devoted himself to historical studies, the result of which appeared in his Arrest of the Five Members, Debates on the Grand Remonstrance, and Life of Sir John Eliot. He also published biographies of Landor and Charles Dickens, but died before completing his Life of Swift. Research John Forster
John Forsyth was an American politician. He was born in 1780 at Virginia and died in 1841. He was made Attorney-General of Georgia in 1808. He was a Democratic Congressman from 1813 to 1818 and a US Senator from 1818 to 1819, when he was appointed Minister to Spain, serving until 1823 and securing the cession of Florida to the United States. He was again a US Congressman from 1823 to 1827, when he was elected Governor of Georgia. From 1829 to 1834 he was a US Senator, and from 1834 to 1841 was Secretary of State in the Cabinets of Jackson and Van Buren. Research John Forsyth
John Foster was an English essayist. He was born in 1779 at Yorkshire and died in 1843. After a short trial of the weavingtrade he studied for the Baptist ministry, obtained a charge at Newcastle-on-Tyne, but his preaching being unsuccessful, he took to literature, contributing extensively to the Eclectic Review. In 1805 he published four essays, very celebrated in their time, which established his fame as an author. Their titles are: On a Man's writing a Memoir of Himself; On the Application of the Epithet Romantic; On Decision of Character; and On Some of the Causes by which Evangelical Religion has been rendered Unacceptable to Persons of Cultivated Taste. In 1819 the celebrated Essay on the Evils of Popular Ignorance appeared. Research John Foster
John Fowler was an English inventor of agricultural machines. He was born in 1826 at Melksham and died in 1864. He patented an effective drainage plough in 1850 and in 1857 together with Jeremiah Head he produced a plough driven by a stationary steam-engine by means of ropes. Research John Fowler
John Foxe was an English church historian. He was born in 1517 and died in 1587. He studied at Oxford, and was elected a fellow of Magdalen in 1543, from which he was expelled two years later on a charge of heresy. In the reign of Edward VI he was restored to his fellowship, but during Mary's reign again went abroad, to Basel. On the accession of Elizabeth I he returned to his native country, and was received in the most friendly manner by his former pupil, the Duke of Norfolk, who settled a pension on him. Secretary Cecil also obtained for him a prebend in the church of Salisbury; and he might have received much higher preferment if he would have subscribed to the articles enforced by the ecclesiastical commissioners. His principal work is the History of the Acts and Monuments of the Church, commonly called Foxe's Book of Martyrs, first printed in 1563. Research John Foxe
Sir John Franklin was an English explorer. He was born in 1786 at Spilsby, Lincolnshire and died in 1847. After joining the navy as a midshipman when he was 14 he saw action at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 He afterwards accompanied Captain Flinders on his voyage to the coast of Australia from 1801 to 1803). Shortly after his return he was appointed to the Bellerophon, and had charge of her signals during the battle of Trafalgar. Two years later he joined the Bedford, which was employed successively in the blockade of Flushing, on the coast of Portugal, and on the coast of America. On the last station she took part in the attack on New Orleans in 1814, when John Franklin was slightly wounded. His arctic work began in 1819, when he conducted an overland expedition for the exploration of the north coast of America from Hudson's Bay to the mouth of the Coppermine River.
On his return to England he published a narrative of the expedition, was promoted to the rank of captain, and elected a FRS. In a second expedition he surveyed the coast from the mouth of the Coppermine west to Point Beechy, thus traversing in his two expeditions about a third of the distance between the Atlantic and the Pacific. On his return in 1827 he received the honour of knighthood. After serving for some years in the Mediterranean he held the post of governor of Tasmania from 1836 to 1843.
In 1845 he took command of the Erebus and Terror in what proved his last Polar Expedition. The problem was an arctic water-way between the Atlantic and the Pacific. The expedition was seen in Melville Bay two months later, but from that time no direct reports were received from it. Many expeditions were sent in search of him both from Britain and America, but with little success. At last an expedition, sent out under M'Lintock in 1857, discovered in 1859, at Point Victory, in King William's Land, a document which had been deposited in a cairn thirteen years before, and gave the latest details of the ill-fated expedition. This paper stated that Sir John Franklin died on the llth of June, 1847; that the ships were abandoned in April 1848; and that the crews, 105 in number, had started for the Great Fish River. None were ever heard of again, but many relics of the party were subsequently recovered. Research John Franklin
John Charles Fremont was an American explorer. He was born in 1813 at Norfolk, Virginia and died in 1890. Educated at Charleston, South Carolina, after a brief service in the navy he joined the US corps of topographical engineers, and married the daughter of SenatorBenton. In 1842 he explored a portion of the Rocky Mountains. In 1843 and 1844, with remarkable skill and energy, he conducted an exploration of the regions of Utah, the basin of the Columbia, and the passes of the Sierra Nevada. In 1846, while in conduct of another exploration in California, he assisted in the Bear Flag War, alleging instructions from George Washington, co-operated with Commodore Stockton in the conquest of California, but was court-martialed for disobedience to General Kearny.
In 1848 he explored, amid great hardships, the paths from Sante Fe to Sacramento, and made a similar expedition in 1853 and 1854. These explorations made him famous as the 'Pathfinder', and in 1856 the new Republican party made him its candidate for the Presidency, but was defeated. In 1861 he commanded in Missouri, but, prematurely ordering emancipation, was removed. In 1862 he commanded against Jackson in the Valley. In 1864 he was nominated for the Presidency by a convention of radical Republicans dissatisfied with Abraham Lincoln, but finally withdrew. Research John Fremont
Sir John Denton Pinkstone French was a British soldier and the 1st earl of Ypres. He was born in 1852 at Ripple, Kent and died in 1925. After joining the navy in 1866 he transferred to the army in 1874 and served with the 19th Hussars in the Sudan from 1884 until 1885. During the Boer War he was cavalry commander, and from 1911 until 1914 was Chief of the Imperial General Staff. In 1913 he was made a field marshall and took command of the British Expeditionary Force in France in 1914. Replaced by Haig, he became Commander-in-Chief of the home forces in 1915. Research John French
John Fyt was a Dutch painter and etcher. He was born in 1611 at Antwerp and died in 1661. His subjects were chiefly game, hunting pieces, doga, fruit, flowers, etc. Research John Fyt
John G Whittier was an American poet. He was born in 1807 and died in 1892. He was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature from 1835 to 1836. He was appointed secretary of the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1836. He edited the Pennsylvania Freeman from 1838 to 1839. He contributed editorials to the National Era, a Washington anti-slavery paper, from 1847 to 1859. With the exception of Longfellow he was the most popular American poet. He was a Quaker, and a man of philanthropic spirit. Prominent among his works are 'Legends of New England' and 'Snowbound'. Research John G Whittier
John Gaillard was an American politician. He was born in 1765 at South Carolina and died in 1826. He served in the US Senate from 1805 to 1826, and was president pro tempore in every Congress from the eleventh to the eighteenth inclusive. Research John Gaillard
John Galsworthy was an English novelist, playwright and essayist. He was born in 1869 at Coombe, Surrey and died in 1933. He is famous for writing the books of the Forsyte Saga including 'The Man of Property' published in 1906 and 'In Chancery' published in 1920. Educated at Harrow and Oxford in law, he was called to the bar in 1890 but instead decided to travel and become a writer. In 1932 he won the Nobel Prize for literature. Research John Galsworthy
John Galt was a Scottish author of stories dealing with Scottish life. He was born in 1779 at Irvine and died in 1839. He went to London in 1804, printed an epic on the Battle of Largs, and tried both commerce and the legal profession; but failing in each, went abroad for some years. On his return in 1812 he published his Voyages and Travels, his Letters from the Levant, a Life of CardinalWolsey, and a volume of tragedies. He then became a contributor to the Monthly Magazine and other periodicals, and wrote a tragedy, The Witness, a life of West the artist, and a romance on the Wandering Jew, His Ayrshire Legatees etc. Research John Galt
John Gay was an English dramatist and poet. He was born in 1685 at Barnstaple and died in 1732. He published his first poem, 'Wine' in 1708. Apprenticed to a silk mercer in London, in 1712 he became secretary to Anne, Duchess of Monmouth. In 1713 he published his Rural Sports, which he dedicated to Pope, with whom he formed a close friendship. In 1714 his caricature of Ambrose Philips' pastoral poetry was published, under the title of the Shepherd's Week, and dedicated to LordBolingbroke, by whose interest he was appointed secretary to the Earl of Clarendon, in his embassy to the court of Hanover. His mock-heroic poem, Trivia, or the Art of Walking the Streets of London, appeared in 1715, and in that year also was acted his burlesquedrama of What d'ye Call It? but his next piece, the farce Three Hours after Marriage, altogether failed. In 1720 he published his poems by subscription, in 1724 his tragedy, The Captives, and in 1727 his well-known Fables. His Beggar's Opera, the notion of which seems to have been afforded by Swift, was first acted in 1728, at Lincoln's Inn Fields, where it ran for sixty-three nights, but the lord-chamberlain refused to license for performance a second part entitled Polly. He also wrote the pastoralAcis and Galatea and the operaAchilles. The closing years of his life were mostly spent in the house of the Duke of Queensberry. Research John Gay
John Gibson was a Welsh sculptor. He was born in 1790 near Conway, in Wales and died in 1866. He was the son of a landscape-gardener, and was apprenticed to a wood-carver at Liverpool, where he attracted attention by a figure of Time modelled in wax which he exhibited at the age of eighteen. The patronage of Roscoe assisted him to go to Rome, where he was cordially received by Canova. On the death of Canova in 1822 John Gibson entered the studio of Thorwaldsen. His reputation was now widely spread, and his works were eagerly sought after by his countrymen. In 1836 he was made a Royal Academician; but to the end of his life he continued to make Rome his chief place of residence. Most of John Gibson's subjects are taken from classical mythology, and are executed with a noble severity and purity of style. Amongst his best works are: The Wounded Amazon; The Hunter and his Dog; Hylas and the Nymphs, Helen, Proserpine, Sappho, etc. One of his peculiarities as an artist was the practice of colouring his statues. Research John Gibson
Sir John Gilbert was an English painter and illustrator. He was born in 1817 at Blackheath, London and died in 1897. He painted in water-colours and oils, producing celebrated studies of Gypsy life. He first exhibited in 1836. His first notable work was The Arrest of LordHastings by the Protector Richard, Duke of Gloucester, in water-colour. He also painted in oil, and among his more notable productions in that branch of the art are Don Quixote giving Advice to Sancho Panza, The Education of GilBias, and a series of tableaux of the principal characters in Shakespeare. He possesses especial merit in depicting old English scenes. He was the most prominent artist engaged on the Illustrated London News for a number of years after its commencement in 1842, and during the same period did a great amount of book illustration. In 1871 he became president of the Society of Water-Colours. In the same year he was knighted, and.in 1872 he became an ARA, becoming RA in 1876. Research John Gilbert
John Gillies was a Scottish historian and scholar. He was born in 1747 at Brechin and died in 1836. He was educated at the University of Glasgow, and finally settled in London, where he applied himself to literature. He published the Orations of Lysias and Isocrates, translated from the Greek; History of Ancient Greece; a translation of Aristotle's Ethics and Politics, with other works upon Aristotle; and a View of the Reign of Frederick II of Prussia. Research John Gillies
Sir John Watson Gordon was a Scottish painter, and president of the Royal Scottish Academy. He was born in 1790 at Edinburgh and died in 1864. He applied himself almost exclusively to portrait-painting in which he attained great excellence. He was employed to paint the portraits of many of the most eminent Scotsmen of the day, among whom may be mentioned Sir Walter Scott, Dr. Chalmers, Professors Wilson, Ferrier, Munro, and Simpson, Principal Lee, Lord-president Boyle, the Duke of Buccleuch, Sir George Clark, De Quincey, George Combe, etc. Research John Gordon
John Bartholemew Gough was an American temperance reformer. He was born in 1817 at Sandhurt, Kent, England and died in 1886. He went to America from England in 1829. He led a dissipated life until 1842, when he reformed and devoted his efforts to temperance reform. He relied entirely on moral influences and disregarded organized or legislative efforts. He was famous as an orator. Research John Gough
John Gould was an English ornithologist. He was born in 1804 at Lyme, Dorsets and died in 1881. Originally a gardener, he was appointed curator to the Zoological Society's Museum in 1827, and henceforward his whole life was devoted to the study of birds. His chief works - all magnificently illustrated - are: A Century of Birds from the Himalayan Mountains, 1831; The Birds of Europe, published in five volumes between 1832 and 1837; The Birds of Australia, published in seven volums between 1840 and 1848, with three supplementary volumes, published between 1850 and 1852; The Birds of Great Britain, published in five volumes between 1862 and 1873, etc; besides a number of monographs on the humming-birds, the trogons, etc. Research John Gould
John Gower was an early English poet. He was born about 1320 and died in 1408. A contemporary and friend of Chaucer, he was liberally educated, and was a member of the society of the Inner Temple. He appears to have been in affluent circumstances, as he contributed largely to the building of the conventual church of St. Mary Overy, in Southwark. His chief works are his Speculum Meditantis, Vox Clamantis, and Confessio Amantis; of which the first was a moral tract relative to the conjugal duties, written in French rhymes (lost until 1895); the second a metrical chronicle of the insurrection of the commons under Richard II, in Latin elegiac verse; and the third an English poem in eight books, containing 30,000 lines, relative to the morals and metaphysics of love, one of the earliest products of the English press, being printed by William Caxton in 1483. Research John Gower
John Graham, ViscountDundee, commonly known as Claverhouse, was a Scottish soldier. He was born about 1650 and died in 1689. He was the eldest son of Sir William Graham of Claverhouse and was educated at St Andrews. He went abroad and entered the service of France and afterwards of Holland, but, failing to obtain the command of a Scottish regiment in the Dutch service, he returned to Scotland in 1677, where he was appointed captain of a troop of horse raised to enforce compliance with the establishment of Episcopacy. He distinguished himself by an unscrupulous zeal in this service, especially after the murder of Archbishop Sharpe in May, 1679. The Covenanters were driven to resistance, and a body of them defeated Claverhouse at Drumclog on the 1st of June. On the 22nd, however, the Duke of Monmouth defeated the insurgents at Bothwell Brig, and Claverhouse was sent into the west with absolute power.
In 1682 he was appointed sheriff of Wigtonshire, and, assisted by his brother David, continued his persecutions. He was made a privy-councillor, and received the estate of Dudhope, with other honours from the king, and although on the accession of James his name was withdrawn from the privy-council it was soon restored. In 1686 he was made brigadier-general, and afterwards major-general; and in 1688, after William had landed, he received from James in London the titles of Lord Graham of Claverhouse and ViscountDundee. When the king fled he returned to Edinburgh, but finding the Covenanters in possession he retired to the north, followed by General Mackay. After making an attempt on Dundee, Claverhouse finally encountered and defeated Mackay in the Pass of Killiecrankie on the 17th of July, 1689, but was killed in the battle. Research John Graham
John Richard Green was an English historian. He was born in 1837 and died in 1883 of lung disease. He was ordained curate in 1860, subsequently vicar of St Philips, Stepney, and librarian to the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth. For some time he wrote constantly for the Saturday Review; but he was comparatively little known until the publication in 1874 of his Short History of the English People, which secured him. immediate fame. It was followed by a larger edition of the same work entitled A History of the English People (published between 1877 and 1880), a.volume of Stray Studies from England and Italy, and the Making of England (published in 1882). Latterly his work was carried on in distressing conflict with lung disease. The Conquest of England, his last work, was published posthumously by his wife, being almost complete at his death. Research John Green
John Gregory was a Scottish physician. He was born in 1724 and died in 1773. The grandson of James Gregory, the inventor of the reflecting telescope, he was successively professor of philosophy and medicine in King's College, Aberdeen, and of the practice of physic at Edinburgh. His works include Elements of the Practice of Physic, a Comparative View of the State and Faculties of Men and Animals, and A Father's Legacy to his Daughters. Research John Gregory
John Gully was a British boxer. He was born in 1783 and died in 1863. He was champion of the English prize ring in 1808. He started his career whilst in debtors prison, and after retiring from boxing made a fortune from horse racing and became a member of parliament. Research John Gully
John H Eaton was an American politician. He was born in 1790 and died in 1856. He was a US Senator from Tennessee from 1818 until 1829, Secretary of War in Andrew Jackson's Cabinet from 1829 until 1831, and Minister to Spain from 1836 until 1840. He was one of Andrew Jackson's closest friends and political advisers. Research John H Eaton
John H Morgan was an American soldier. He was born in 1836 and died in 1864. He commanded a Confederate cavalry force from 1863 to 1863. He annoyed the National forces by successful and destructive raids in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, during one of which he was shot.
Charles Morris
Charles Morris was an American sailor. He was born in 1784 and died in 1856. A commodore he served in the war with Tripoli from 1801 to 1805. He was lieutenant of the US ship Constitution in the engagement with the Guerriere. He was Chief of the Ordnance Bureau from 1851 to 1856. Research John H Morgan
John Hadley was an English astronomer. He was born towards the end of the seventeenth century and died in 1744. He is the reputed inventor of the quadrant that goes by his name, though the honour is also claimed for Isaac Newton, from whom John Hadley got a description of the instrument in 1727, and for Thomas Godfrey of Philadelphia, who produced his instrument about the same time as John Hadley in 1731. The Royal Society decided that Thomas Godfrey and John Hadley were both entitled to the honour of the invention. John Hadley also invented the sextant. Research John Hadley
John P Hale was an American politician and abolutionist. He was born in 1806 at Rochester, New Hampshire and died in 1873. He was admitted to the bar in 1830. He was a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1832, and was appointed US Attorney for the district of New Hampshire from 1834 to 1840. He represented New Hampshire in the US Congress from 1843 to 1845. He was a US Senator from 1847 to 1853, being the first zealous opponent of slavery in that body, and was nominated in 1852 as the Presidential candidate of the Free-Soil party. He was again a US Senator from 1855 to 1865, and was appointed Minister to Spain by President Abraham Lincoln, serving from 1865 to 1869. Research John Hale
John James Hamilton was an Irish peer. He was born in 1756 and died in 1818. The first marquess of Abercorn, he was an eccentric man notorious for his love of the extravagant. Sir Walter Scott recounts how on a visit to John Hamilton he came upon a procession of five carriages, twenty outriders and a man on horseback wearing the blue ribbon of the Knights of the Garter, who turned out to be John Hamilton on his way to dine alone at a pub in the village of Longtown. John Hamilton was noted for his love of solitude, which extended to visitors to his home being given free reign to do what they liked, so long as they didn't speak to him. Research John Hamilton
John Hampden was an English politician and Parliamentarian. He was born in 1594 at London and died in 1643 at the Battle of Thame during the Civil War. In 1609 he was entered a gentlemancommoner at Magdalen College, Oxford. He began the study of law in the Inner Temple, but having inherited an ample fortune on his father's death he lived the usual life of a country gentleman. He became a member of parliament in 1621 and in 1626 helped to prepare the charges against the Duke of Buckingham. In 1627 he was imprisoned for refusing a loan to the King, Charles I and again in 1634 when he refused to pay the Ship-Money tax, supposedly for outfitting the King's navy. He was one of the five members of parliament whose attempted seizure by Charles I precipitated the Civil War. When war broke out, he raised a regiment of infantry for the Parliamentarians, and subsequently demonstrated great leadership and grasp of tactics at the Battle of Edgehill and the Battle Of Reading before being killed at the Battle of Thame. Research John Hampden
John Hancock was an American politician and revolutionary. He was born in 1737 at Massachusetts and died in 1793. He was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature from 1766 to 1772. It was his ship, the Liberty, which caused a riot when seized by the royal customs officials for an alleged evasion of the laws, and he was one of the commissioners who demanded the removal of the British troops after the Boston massacre. In 1774 he was elected to the Provincial Congress at Concord, Massachusetts and together with Samuel Adams was exempted from pardon in Governor Gage's proclamation of 1775. He represented Massachusetts in the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1780 and from 1785 to 1786, being chosen president from 1775 to 1777 and was a signer of the American declaration of Independence, his name standing first upon that document. In 1776 he was commissioned major-general of the Massachusetts militia, and in 1780 commanded the State troops in the expedition against Rhode Island. He was a delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1780, and was a Governor of the State from 1780 to 1785 and from 1787 to 1792, and in the Presidential election of 1789 received four electoral votes. Research John Hancock
Sir John Harington was an English poet. He was born in 1561 and died in 1612. At his baptism Queen Elizabeth I stood sponsor. In 1596 he was excluded from court on account of his poem Metamorphoses of Ajax, but was soon allowed to return. Hia best-known performance is, perhaps, his translation of OrlandoFurioso in heroic verse. Research John Harington
John Harrison was a British clock maker. He was born in 1693 at Foulby, Yorkshire and died in 1776. The son of a carpenter, he taught himself the elements of mechanics and in 1715 he produced an eight-day clock which struck the hour, and indicated the day of the month. This clock had all wooden wheels apart from the escapement. He invented a method of compensation which enabled timepieces to be used on ships to determine longitude, compensating for the variations in the rate of the timepiece caused by temperature variations. Research John Harrison
John Harvard was an English-born American clergyman. He was born in 1607 at London and died in 1638. He was ordained a clergyman, but, being a Puritan, emigrated to New England in 1637 and became a freeman of the Massachusetts colony. At his death he bequeathed half of his property or about 750 pounds, and his entire library of 320 volumes, to the college which bears his name. Research John Harvard
John Harvey was a British naval officer. He was born in 1740 and died in 1794. He assisted in the defence of Gibraltar during the famous siege. In command of the Brunswick in Lord Howe's battle of the first of June, 1794, Harvey achieved fame and was mortally wounded in a desperate struggle against the Vengeur and the Achille. Research John Harvey
Sir John Hawking was an English sea commander. He was born in 1520 at Plymouth and died in 1595. He made several voyages in his youth, and in 1562 and 1564 he went on expeditions to Africa in order to procure black slaves for the West Indies. A third expedition, in 1567, was disastrous, as his fleet was defeated by the Spaniards. In 1573 he became treasurer of the navy. In 1588 he was appointed vice-admiral in the expedition against the Spanish Armada, and received a knighthood for his services. In 1590 he and Frobisher unsuccessfully attempted to intercept the Spanish plate fleet, and in 1595 he and Francis Drake led an unsuccessful expedition against the Spaniards in the West Indies, in the midst of which John Hawking died. Research John Hawking
Sir John Hawkins was an English sailor, pirate and spy. He was born in 1532 at Plymouth and died in 1595. In 1562 he sailed with three ships to Sierra Leone where he acquired 300 black slaves and other goods, some stolen from Portuguese traders, and took them to Hispaniola where he traded them with the Spanish colonists for hides, spices and pearls. In 1569, after losing almost all these ships in his latest trading mission to the Spanish he returned to England and was banned from seafaring. He subsequently became a spy, and exposed the Duke of Norfolk's plot to rescue Mary Queen of Scots. In 1577 he became Treasurer of the Navy and in 1588 a rear-admiral under Sir Francis Drake in the navy. He pioneered the new low-charge warship in the English navy. Research John Hawkins
Sir John Hawkwood was an English mercenary. His date of birth is unknown and he died in 1394. On the invasion of France by Edward III. John Hawkwood was knighted on account of his courage and ability. In 1360 he occupied a prominent place in the marauding companies which harassed France. He next took regular service under the Pisan Republic for twenty-three years, but in 1387 he entered that of the Florentines. He founded the English hospital at Borne, and died at Florence. Research John Hawkwood
John Hay was an American statesman and writer. He was born in 1838 at Salem, Indiana and died in 1905. He was admitted to ythe Illinoi Bar in 1861 and later became assistant secretary to President Abraham Lincoln in 1861. He served for several months in the American Civil War, and from 1865 to 1867 was secretary of legation to Paris, charge d'affaires at Vienna until 1868, and secretary at Madrid until 1870. He became associated with the New York Tribune and from 1879 to 1881 was First Assistant Secretary of State. He was widely known for his dialect sketches and poems, and for Nicolay and Hay's life of Lincoln. He became Ambassador to England May, 1897 and in 1898 Secretary of State to President William McKinley. Research John Hay
Sir John Wfrederick william Herschel was an English astronomer. He was born in 1792 at Slough, near Windsor and died in 1871. The only son of Sir William Herschel, in 1813 he graduated BA at Cambridge, and was Senior Wrangler and Smith's Prizeman. After his father's death he spent eight years reviewing the nebulae and clusters of stars discovered by his father. The results were given in 1833 to the Royal Society in the form of a catalogue of stars. The catalogue contained observations on 525 nebulas and clusters of stars not noticed by his father, and on a great number of double stars, between 3000 and 4000 in all.
In 1830 he produced his excellent Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy, and about the same time published several treatises in the Encyclopaedia Metropolitana, Lardner's Cyclopeadia, etc. In 1834 he established, at his own expense, an observatory at Feldhuysen, near Cape Town, his object being to discover whether the distribution of the stars in the southern hemisphere corresponded with the results of his father's labours in the north.
He returned to England in 1838, and in 1847 was published Results of Astronomical Observations made during 1834-38 at the Cape of Good Hope, being the Completion of a Telescopic Survey of the Whole Surface of the Visible Heavens. He was one of the earliest pioneers in photography; was made a DCL of Oxford; and on the queen's coronation he was created a baronet.
In 1848 he was president of the Royal Astronomical Society, and in 1850 was appointed Master of the Mint, an office which he resigned in 1855. Among Sir John Herschel's other works are Outlines of Astronomy, Familiar Lectures on Scientific Subjects, and a translation of the Iliad in verse. Research John Herschel
John Heywood was an early English dramatist. He was born at the end of the fifteenth century and died sometime about 1580. Sir Thomas More introduced him at the court of Henry VIII, with whom he became a favourite. His zealousattachment to the Roman Church recommended him to Queen Mary; but this very circumstance rendered him an object of suspicion during the two succeeding reigns, and he found it expedient to retire to the Continent. Heywood's dramatic works may be classed as Interludes, as they stand between the miracle-plays and the drama proper. Among them are: A mery Play betweeen the Pardoner and the Frere, the Curate and Neybour Pratte; The Play of Love; The Four P's; etc. He also wrote epigrams, ballads, &c. Research John Heywood
John Hilton was an English surgeon. He was born in 1804 at Castle Hedingham and died in 1878. He was appointed demonstrator of anatomy at Guy's Hospital, London in 1828 and became assistant surgeon in 1844 and full surgeon in 1849. In 1859 he was made professor of surgery in the Royal College of Surgeons and president of the college in 1867. Research John Hilton
John Russell Hind was an English astronomer. He was born in 1823 at Nottingham and died in 1895. Hen entered the royal observatory at an early age and in 1844 took charge of Bishop's observatory in Regent's Park, London, where he discovered ten asteroids, two comets and many others. Research John Hind
John Holmes was an American politician. He was born in 1773 and died in 1843. He was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature from 1802 to 1803 and from 1813 to 1817. He was a Democratic US Congressman from 1817 to 1827 and from 1829 to 1833. Research John Holmes
John Home was a Scottish clergyman and playwright. He was born in 1722 at Leith and died in 1808. He studied for the church, and was appointed to the parish of Athelstaneford, vacant by the death of Blair, author of the Grave. His tragedy of Douglas was performed at Edinburgh in 1756, and attained a. wonderful popularity, which was srill popular one hundred years later. The production gave great offence to the church as a body; the author was threatened with ecclesiastical censures, and in consequence resigned his living, and ever after acted and appeared as a layman. He retired into England, obtained the protection of the Earl of Bute, and received a considerable pension. His other plays, the Siege of Aquileia, the Fatal Discovery, Alonzo, and Alfred, are absolutely forgotten, a fate which their mediocrity deserves. His History of the Rebellion of 1745-1746 also disappointed public expectation. Research John Home
John Hookham Frere was an English writer and politician. He was born in 1769 at London and died in 1846. He is now chiefly remembered as one of the writers in the Anti-Jacobin Review at the close of the 18th century; and afterwards connected with the establishment of the Quarterly Review in 1809. A satirical poem published by him in 1817, entitled Prospectus and Specimen of an Intended National Work, by William and Robert Whistlecraft, followed by another entitled The Monks and the Giants, obtained in their day much popularity. His translations in verse of some of the comedies of Aristophanes are well known for their remarkable excellence. John Hookham Frere entered parliament in 1796, and succeeded Canning as undersecretary for foreign affairs in 1799. In 1818-1819 he acted as British ambassador in Spain, and subsequently held other diplomatic posts in Portugal and Prussia. The latter years of his life were spent in Malta, where he died. Research John Hookham Frere
John Hoole was a British dramatist and translator. He was born in 1727 and died in 1803. In 1763 he published a translation of Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered, and of six dramas of Metastasio in 1767. His tragedies of Cyrus, Timanthes, and Cleone were unsuccessful. In 1773-83 he publislied separate volumes of his translation of Orlando Fnrioso. In 1792 he translated Tasso's Rinaldo, and ended his literary labours with a more complete collection of dramas from Motastasio. Research John Hoole
John Hooper was an English religious reformer. He was born in 1495 and died in 1555. Having studied at Oxford, he joined the Cistercian order; but by 1539 had adopted the Reformed opinions, and withdrew to the Continent on the imposition of new articles of faith by Henry VIII, and lived at Zurich. In 1547 he returned to England, and took an active share in the Edwardine Reformation, In 1550 he was nominated Bishop of Gloucester, but declined consecration until certain vestments and ceremonies were dispensed with in his case. On the accession of Queen Mary in 1553, John Hooper was deprived and imprisoned, and in 1555 burnt at Gloucester, near his own cathedral. His works consist chiefly of a Godly Confession and Protestation of the Christian Faith, Lectures on the Creed, Sermons on the Book of Jonah, Annotations on the Thirteenth Chapter of the Romans, and expositions of several psalms. Research John Hooper
John Hoppner was an English portrait painter. He was born in 1758 at Whitechapel, London and died in 1810. In 1785 he painted the three princesses; Sophia, Amelia and Mary. Research John Hoppner
John Howard was an English prison reformer and philanthropist. He was born in 1726 and died in 1790 of fever. His father, a wealthy London tradesman, died when his son was about 19 years old, and left him an independent fortune. In 1756 John Howard undertook a voyage to Lisbon to view the effects of the recentearthquake. The vessel in which he embarked being captured, he was consigned to a French prison. The hardships he suffered and witnessed prior to his release first roused his attention to the subject of his future researches. In 1773 he resolved to devote his time to the investigation of the means of correcting the existing abuses in the management of prisons. With this view he visited most of the English county jails and houses of correction, and in March, 1774, he laid the result of his inquiries before the House of Commons, for which he received a vote of thanks.
In 1775 and 1776 he visited many of the continental prisons, as well as those of Scotland and Ireland; and the substance of his investigations appeared in a work he published in 1777. This work was supplemented by his experiences of foreign prisons (1778-1783). In 1789 he published an Account of the Principal Lazarettos in Europe, with notes on Continental and British prisons and hospitals. In the same year he made a final journey through Germany and Russia, when prisons and hospitals were everywhere thrown open for his inspection as a friendly monitor and public benefactor. Research John Howard
John Hughes was an Irish-American prelate. He was born in 1797 at Ireland and died in 1864. He went to America in 1817. He was ordained a priest in 1836. He was made Bishop of New York in 1842. He was the founder of St John's College. In 1850 he was made Archbishop of New York. He was prominent in the Catholic controversies regarding the public-school system of New York and the tenure of church property. Research John Hughes
John Pyke Hullah was an English musician. He was born in 1813 and died in 1884. He entered the Royal Academy of Music in 1832, and attracted some attention by his comic opera, Tha Village Coquettes (1836), which was followed by the Barber of Bassora in 1837, and The Outpost in 1838. About this time he began to work for the establishment of popular singing-schools. He became professor of music at King's College and other institutions in London, and in 1874 inspector of training schools. He wrote some educational and historical works on music, amongst which are the Grammar of Harmony, Grammar of Counterpoint, A History of Modern Music, etc. Research John Hullah
John Hunter was a Scottish anatomist and surgeon. He was born in 1728 at Long Calderwood and died in 1793. He assisted his brother-in-law, a carpenter in Glasgow, for some time in his trade, but afterwards in 1748 he travelled to London and joined his brother, William Hunter a prosperous surgeon parctising in London, becoming a master of anatomy in 1753 and house surgeon at St George'sHospital in 1756, and also lectured in his brother's school of anatomy. In 1760, his health needing a change of climate, he became staff-surgeon and went with the army to Portugal. Three years afterwards he returned to London, and, in 1768, was appointed surgeon to St George'sHospital; in 1790 surgeon-general to the army, and inspector-general of hospitals.
John Hunter contributed greatly to the high development of English surgery, as well as to the advance of anatomy and physiology. One of his chief works was on the Blood, Inflammation, and Gun-shot Wounds (published in 1794). His valuable museum of surgical and anatomical subjects was purchased by the government and presented to the Royal College of Surgeons.
John Hunter was a British admiral. He was born in 1738 at Leith and died in 1821. He served in the Rochefort expedition of 1757, at the capture of Quebec in 1759, at the Dogger Bank in 1781, and at Gibraltar in 1782. In 1786 he helped Commodore Arthur Philip to establish the colony of New South Wales and surveyed Port Jackson. He carried a settling party to Norfolk Island and from 1795 to 1800 was governor of New South Wales. Research John Hunter
John Huss was a Bohemian religious reformer. He was born in 1369 and died in 1415. He studied at the University of Prague, took the degree of Master of Arts in 1396, and in 1398 began to lecture on theology and philosophy. In 1401 he was made dean of the faculty of philosophy, became the leader of the Bohemian in opposition to the German professors and academicians, and after the withdrawal of the latter to Leipzig, was made rector of the university in 1409.
Since 1391 he had been acquainted with the writings of Wickliffe, and his denunciation of the papal indulgences, of masses for the dead, of auricular confession, etc, alarmed Archbishop Sbynko of Prague, who had 200 volumes of Wickliffe's writings burned in 1410 in the archiepiscopal palace, and the preaching in Bohemian prohibited. John Huss appealed to the pope, John XXIII, who summoned him to appear at Rome. John Huss refused to appear, and was in consequence excommunicated, and Prague laid under an interdict as long as John Huss should remain in it. The people of Prague, however, stood by their preacher, and the pope was compelled to acquiesce. But the quarrel broke out again when John Huss and his friend Jerome publicly condemned the papal indulgences granted for the crusade against Ladislaus of Naples.
John Huss was again excommunicated and Prague interdicted. The reformer now retired to Hussinatz to the protection of his feudallord, and here he wrote his books On the Six Errors and On the Church, in which he attacks transubstantiation, the belief in the pope and the saints, the efficacy of the absolution of a vicious priest, unconditional obedience to earthly rulers, and simony, which was then extremely prevalent, and makes the Scriptures the only rule of matters of religion. The approbation with which these doctrines were received, both among the nobility and common people, increased the party of John Huss in a great degree, and emboldened him to comply with the summons of the Council of Constance to defend his opinions before it. The Emperor Sigismund, by letters of safe conduct, became responsible for his personal safety; and John XXIII, after his arrival at Constance, on November the 4th, made promises to the same effect. Notwithstanding this, he was thrown into prison, on November the 28th, and after several public examinations, conducted with little regard to justice and the rights of the accused, he was sentenced to death on July the 6th, 1415, and burned alive the same day, and his ashes thrown into the Rhine. Research John Huss
John Hutchinson was an English officer of the parliament, and governor of NottinghamCastle during the English Civil War. He was born in 1616 at Nottingham and died in 1664. He studied at Cambridge, and afterwards went to London to study law. In 1638 he married Lucy, the daughter of Sir Allan Apsley. On the outbreak of the civil war he joined the popular party, and was appointed governor of NottinghamCastle, which he defended against the royalists with great skill and gallantry. On the termination of the war he was returned to parliament for his native town, and was a member of the high court of justiciary which condemned the king to death, but subsequently retired from public life, because he disapproved of Oliver Cromwell's arbitrary conduct as ruler. After the Restoration Colonel John Hutchinson was arrested and died in prison in 1664. His wife wrote a memoir of his life which is amongst the valuable and interesting of its kind in English literature. Research John Hutchinson
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