A Brief Handbook of English Authors

Moss, Thomas. 1740–1808. Poet. Author of the famous poem beginning "Pity the sorrows of a poor Old Man."

Motherwell, Wm. 1797–1858. Scotch poet. Jeanie Morrison, The Cavalier's Song, and others of his ballads possess great lyric beauty. See edition 1849.

Mozley, James Bowling. 1813–1878. Theologian. Author Lect. on the Miracles, On Subscription to the Articles, Sermons, Essays, Historical, Theological, etc. A clear, masterly thinker. Pub. Dut.

Mozley, Thomas. 1806 – . Bro. to J. B. M. Author Reminiscences of Oriel College and the Oxford Movement. Pub. Hou.

Mudie [moo´dĭ or mū´dĭ] Robert. Scotch naturalist. Author of some 90 vols. mainly on natural history; British Birds is his most important work. Pub. Har.

Muller, Friedric Max. 1823 – . German philologist. Author Chips from a German Workshop, Science of Lang., Hist. Ancient Sanskrit Lit., etc. Pub. Mac. Scr.

Muloch, Dinah Maria. See Craik, Mrs.

Munday, Anthony. 1553–1633. Dramatist. See Carew Hazlitt's Early English Literature.

Murchison, Sir Roderick I. 1792–1871. Geologist of note. See Memoirs of, by Geikie, 2 vols., London, 1874.

Mure, Wm. 1799–1860. Scotch historian. Author Critical Hist., Lang. and Lit. of Ancient Greece, The Calendar of the Zodiac of Ancient Egypt, etc.

Murphy, Arthur. 1730–1805. Dramatist. Of his 23 plays The Grecian Daughter and The Way to Keep Him were the most popular.

Murray, Alexander. 1775–1813. Scotch philologist. Author Hist. European Languages.

Murray, Hugh. 1779–1841. Scotch geographer. Author of the Encyclopedia of Geography, etc. Pub. Har.

Myers, Ernest. 18 – . Poet. Author of The Puritans, The Defence of Rome, and other Poems, etc. Pub. Mac.

Myers, Frederic Wm. Henry. 1843 – . Poet and littérateur. Author of St. Paul, a poem, The Renewal of Youth and other Poems, Wordsworth in Eng. Men of Letters, and Essays Modern and Classical. A thoughtful writer, possessing a graceful and scholarly style. Pub. Har. Mac. Ran.

Nabbes, Thomas. 1600–1645. Dramatist.

Nairne, Baroness. See Oliphant, Carolina.

Napier, Admiral Sir Chas. 1786–1860. Military historian. Cousin to Sir C. J. N. Author Hist. Baltic Campaign, etc. See Life and Correspondence, 1862.

Napier, Gen. Sir Chas. James. 1782–1853. Author Lights and Shadows of Military Life, Hist. Ionian Islands, etc. See Life and Opinions of, 4 vols., London, 1857.

Napier, Capt. Henry Edward. 1789–1853. Historian. Bro. to Sir C. J. N. Author of a valuable Hist. of Florence in 7 vols. Style easy and flowing.

Napier, John. 1550–1617. Scotch mathematical writer. Inventor of logarithms.

Napier, Macvey. 1776–1847. Scotch writer. Editor of the supplement and 7th edition of the Encyc. Brit. and for 17 years editor of the Edinburgh Rev.

Napier, Mark. 1798 – . Biographer. Author Memorials of Montrose, Life and Times of Montrose, etc.

Napier, Gen. Sir Wm. Francis Patrick. 1785–1860. Military historian. Bro. to Sir. C. J. N. and H. E. N. His great work is the Hist. of the Peninsular War, a work of great value, possessing a perennial charm. See H. Martineau's Biographical Sketches, and Life by H. A. Bruce, 1863. Pub. Arm. Rou.

Nares, Edward. 1762–1841. Elements of General Hist. and the novel, Thinks I to Myself, are among his chief works.

Nares, Robert. 1753–1829. Critical and theological writer. Cousin to E. N.

Nash, Thomas. 1577–1600. Dramatist. Author Summer's Last Will and Testament, and of many brilliant satirical pamphlets. See edition of Pierre Penniless, with Life of Nash by Collier, 1842.

Neville, Henry. 1620–1694. Political philosopher. Author of Plato Redivivus, a dialogue concerning government.

Newcastle, Margaret, Duchess of. 1624–1673. An untiring writer of tasteless works in verse and prose. See Poems of, edited by E. Brydges, 1813.

Newcome, Wm. 1729–1800. Abp. Armagh. Theologian. Author Harmony of the Gospels, etc.

Newman, Francis Wm. 1805 – . Miscellaneous writer. Author of Phases of Faith, etc. He has written largely on religious topics from a rationalistic standpoint.

Newman, Cardinal John Henry. 1801 – . Theologian. Bro. to F. W. N. Author Tract No. 90, Parochial Sermons, Theory of Religious Belief, The Grammar of Assent, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, Poems, etc. The Apologia is one of the very finest of autobiographies. Style clear, polished, and logical. See Century Mag. June, 1882. Pub. Cath.

Newton, Sir Isaac. 1642–1727. Mathematical philosopher. A writer of clear, comprehensive intellect, Author of the Principia and a valuable treatise on Optics, etc. See Brewster's Life of. Pub. Mac.

Newton, John. 1722–1807. Devotional writer. Co-author with Cowper of the Olney Hymns. See Works of London, 6 vols. 8vo, 1816.

Nichol, John. 1833 – . Scotch littérateur. Author Sketch Am. Lit., the drama of Hannibal, Tables of European Lit. and Hist., and a brilliant monograph on Byron in Eng. Men of Letters. See Lit. World. Feb. 24, 1883. Pub. Apl. Har.

Nichol, John Pringle. 1804–1859. Astronomer. Author The Solar System, The Stellar Heavens, Dict. Physical Sciences, etc.

Nicholas, Thomas. 1820–1879. Ethnologist and historian. Author Pedigree of the Eng. People, Hist. of Wales, etc.

Nicholson, Wm. 1655–1727. Abp. Cashel. Antiquarian writer.

Nicol, Henry. 1845–1881. Philologist. Author Hist. Eng. Sounds.

Nicolas, Sir Nicholas Harris. 1799–1848. Genealogist. Author Hist. Orders of Knighthood of the Brit. Empire, etc.

Nicoll, Robert. 1814–1837. Scotch poet.

Noel-Fearn, Henry [Christmas]. 1811–1868. Miscellaneous writer. Author Science and History, Preachers and Preaching, etc.

Norris, John. 1657–1711. Platonic philosopher. Author Theory of the Ideal World, etc.

North, Christopher. See Wilson, John.

Norton, Mrs. Caroline Elizabeth Sheridan [Lady Maxwell]. 1808–1877. Poet and novelist. Her verse has much grace and intensity of feeling. Bingen on the Rhine is her most quoted poem. Pub. Har. Lip. Mac. Ran.

Norton, Thomas. 1532–1584. Dramatist. Co-author with Sackville of the tragedy Ferrex and Porrex, and assistant of Sternhold and Hopkins in their metrical version of the Psalms.

Nugent, Lord. See Grenville, George.

Occam, Wm. of. 1270–1347. Philosopher. Defender of the doctrine of Nominalism and the greatest logician of the Middle Ages.

Occleve, Thos. c. 1370–1454. Poet. His verse has little merit.

O'Hare, Kane. 1722–1782. Irish dramatist.

O'Keefe, John. 1747–1833. Irish dramatist. The best of his numerous plays and operas, some of which are still acted, is Wild Oats.

Oldham, John. 1653–1683. Poet. Author of Satires against the Jesuits. Style spirited and forcible. See Ward's Eng. Poets, vol. 2.

Oldmixon, John. 1673–1742. Dramatist and historian. His plays and histories are of slight value, and his chief title to remembrance is Pope's satire upon him in The Dunciad.

Oldys, Wm. 1696–1761. Biographer and antiquarian. Best known by his famous little poem, The Fly and the Cup of Ale.

Oliphant, Carolina, Baroness Nairne. 1766–1845. Scotch poet. Her songs, such as Land o' the Leal, Caller Herrin', etc., take a high rank. See Complete Works, with Life by C. Rogers, Edinburgh, 1869.

Oliphant, Laurence. 1829 – . Satirist and miscellaneous writer. Author of Piccadilly, a Fragment of Contemporaneous Biography, Tender Recollections of Irene McGillicuddy, Altiora Peto, etc. Pub. Apl. Har.

Oliphant, Mrs. Margaret. 1828 – . Novelist. Author of a long series of novels, all good, and some very fine, and much well written biography. Her style is even, her turns of expression felicitous and her character drawing truthful. The Perpetual Curate, Chronicles of Carlingford, Zaidee, Harry Joscelyn, Son of the Soil, Lady Jane, The Little Pilgrim, and the Literary Hist. of England are some of her best books. Few authors have written so much and so uniformly well. Pub. Apl. Har. Ho. Lip. Mac. Por.

O'Meara, Barry Edward. 1780–1836. Napoleonic writer. Author Letters from St. Helena, Memoirs of Napoleon, Napoleon in Exile, etc. Pub. Arm. Wid.

Opie, Mrs. Amelia [Alderson]. 1769–1853. Novelist and poet. Father and Daughter is her best novel, The Orphan Boy her most familiar poem. Style simple and pathetic. See Miss Brightwell's Life of, London, 1834, and H. Martineau's Biographical Sketches. Pub. Ca.

Orme, Robert. 1728–1801. Historian. Hist. British in India, etc.

O'Shaughnessy [o'shaw´nĕ-sĭ], Arthur W. E. 1844–1881. Author Songs of a Worker, Lays of France, Music and Moonlight, etc. See Stedman's Victorian Poets, and Ward's Eng. Poets, vol. 4, 2d edition.

Ossian. Mythical Keltic bard. See Macpherson, James.

Ottley, Wm. Young. 1771–1836. Art writer. Author The Italian School of Design, Engravers and their Works, etc.

Otway, Thomas. 1651–1685. Dramatist. A tragic writer of great pathos. His greatest works, Venice Preserved and The Orphan are still occasionally acted. See Works with Life, by Thornton, 1813.

Ouida. See De la Ramé, Louisa.

Ousely [ooz´lĭ], Sir Wm. 1771–1842. Orientalist. Author Oriental Collections, Travels in Persia, etc.

Overbury, Sir Thomas. 1581–1613. Poet and philosopher. Characters, his chief work, contains an exquisite and oft quoted description of A Fair and Happy Milkmaid.

Owen, John. 1616–1683. Theologian. Style heavy and labored. See edition of 1826 with Life. Pub. P. B.

Owen, Richard. 1804 – . Scientific writer of note. Author Lect. on Comparative Anatomy, etc.

Owen, Robert. 1771–1858. Writer on social reforms. See H. Martineau's Biographical Sketches.

Owenson, Sydney. See Morgan, Lady.

Oxenden, Ashton. 1808 – . Bp. Montreal. Religious writer. Author Pathway of Safety, Our Church and her Services, Thoughts for Lent, etc. Pub. Dut. Ran. Wh.

Oxenford, John. 1812–1877. Dramatist and critic. Translator of Goethe's Autobiography.

Paley, Frederic Apthorp. 1817 – . Classical scholar. Grandson to W. P. Editor and translator of numerous classical works.

Paley, Wm. 1743–1805. Moral philosopher. Author Natural Theology, Elements of Moral and Political Philosophy, etc. See Complete Works, 4 vols., London, 1838, biography by Meadley, 1839. Pub. Ca. Nel. Har.

Palgrave [pawl´grāv], Sir Francis. 1788–1861. Historian. Author Hist. of the Anglo-Saxons, Rise and Progress of the Eng. Commonwealth, Anglo-Saxon Period, Hist. of Normandy and of England, etc. Pub. Mac.

Palgrave, Francis Turner. 1824 – . Poet and critic. Son to F. P. Author Essays on Art, Hymns, Lyrical Poems, etc. See Stedman's Victorian Poets. Pub. Mac. Por. Ran. Rou.

Palgrave, Wm. Gifford. 1826 – . Traveller. Son to F. P. Author Essays on the Eastern Question, Dutch Guiana, Herman Agha, etc. Pub. Ho. Mac.

Palmer, Sir Roundell [Baron Selborne]. 1812 – . Author of the Book of Praise. Pub. Mac.

Pardoe [par´dō], Julia. 1806–1862. Novelist and historical writer. Author Court and Reign of Francis I., etc. Pub. Har. Pet.

Paris, Matthew.? – 1259. Historical writer. See Bohn's Antiquarian Library.

Park, Mungo. 1771–1805. Scotch explorer and writer of travels. Pub. Har.

Parker, John Henry. 1806 – . Writer on Architecture. Author Glossary of Arch., Introduction to the Study of Gothic Arch., Domestic Arch. of the Middle Ages, etc., Pub. Lit.

Parnell [par´nell], Thomas. 1669–1718. Poet. Author of The Hermit, etc. See Ward's Eng. Poets, vol. 3. Pub. Hou.

Parr, Harriet ["Holme Lee"]. 18 – . Novelist. Author Sylvan Holt's Daughter, Kathie Brande, For Richer for Poorer, etc. Pub. Har. Por.

Parr, Mrs. Louisa. 18 – . Novelist. Author Dorothy Fox, Adam and Eve, etc. Pub. Ho. Lip.

Parr, Samuel. 1747–1825. Classical scholar and critic. See Field's Memoirs of, 1828.

Pater, Walter H. 1838 – . Author Studies on the Hist. of the Renaissance. Pub. Mac.

Patmore, Coventry Kearsey Dighton. 1823 – . Poet. Author Angel in the House, Faithful Forever, and other vols. of rather commonplace verse. See Stedman's Victorian Poets. Pub. Dut. Mac.

Pattison, Mark. 1813 – . Author Tendencies of Religious Thought in England, a noted Biography of Isaac Casaubon, Milton in Eng. Men. of Letters, etc. Pub. Har.

Payn, James. 1830 – . Novelist. A writer of excellent stories; Lost Sir Massingberd, and By Proxy, being among the best. Pub. Apl. Har. Pet.

Peacock, Thos. Love. 1785–1866. Novelist and poet. Maid Marian, Headlong Hall, etc., are lively, witty novels. See Complete Works edited by Cole, 1875. See Ward's Eng. Poets, vol. 4.

Pearson, Charles Henry. 1830 – . Historian. Author Hist. of England in the Early and Middle Ages. Pub. Put.

Pearson, John. 1613–1686. Bp. Chester. Theologian. His Exposition of the Creed is still a standard theological work. Pub. Apl. Mac.

Pecock, Reginald. 1390–1460. Bp. Chichester. Theologian. Author of The Repressor, etc. See Morley's Eng. Writers, vol. 2.

Peele, George. 1552–1598. Dramatist and poet. Author Arraignment of Paris, Absalom, Edward I., etc. In places Peele's verse is very musical. See Lamb's Dramatic Poets; also Ward's Eng. Poets, vol. 1, and Ulrici's Dramatic Art.

Penn, Wm. 1644–1718. No Cross No Crown, his most noted work, sets forth the doctrines of the Quakers. See Lives, by H. Dixon, Janney, and Wirt.

Pennant, Thomas. 1726–1798. Antiquarian and writer on natural history.

Pennell, Henry Cholmondeley [chŭm´lĭ]. 1836 – . Poet. Author of Puck on Pegasus, Pegasus Re-saddled, etc., and several works on Angling. Pub. Rou.

Pepys [peeps or pĕps], Samuel. 1633–1703. Author of a famous Diary presenting an extremely lifelike picture of the time of Charles II. See Samuel Pepys and the World he Lived In, by Henry B. Wheatly. See Braybrooke edition, pub. Apl.; Bright edition, London, pub. Bi.

Percy, Thos. 1728–1811. Bp. Dromore. Poet and editor of the famous Reliques of Ancient Eng. Poetry, a work of great influence upon subsequent Eng. verse. See Hales's and Furnivall's edition, 1868. Pub. Por. Rou.

Phillimore, John George. 1809–1865. Jurist. Author Hist. Law of Evidence, Principles and Maxims of Jurisprudence. Pub. Mac.

Phillimore, Robert Joseph. 1810 – . Jurist. Bro. to J. G. P. Author Civil and Canon Law, Eccl. Law Church of England, etc. Pub. Jo.

Philips, Ambrose. 1675–1749. Dramatist. A writer of trifling merit, who is chiefly remembered on account of Pope's vindictive satire upon him.

Philips, John. 1676–1708. Poet. Author of the mock-heroic poem The Splendid Shilling.

Philips, Mrs. Katharine. 1631–1664. Poet. Known as "The Matchless Orinda."

Phillips, Halliwell. See Halliwell-Phillips.

Pickering, Ellen.? – 1843. Novelist. Author Who Shall be Heir, Secret Foe, etc. Pub. Har.

Pindar, Peter. See Wolcott, John.

Pinkerton, John. 1758–1826. Scotch historian and antiquary. His Hist. of Scotland and other works are fiercely controversial in tone.

Piozzi [pē-ŏt´see], Mrs. Hester [Lynch]. Mrs. Thrale. 1740–1821. Author Anecdotes of Dr. Johnson, etc., and the well-known poem The Three Warnings. See Autobiography, Letters, etc., 1861.

Pitt, Wm., Lord Chatham. 1708–1778. Statesman. His numerous Speeches rank among the finest of their class.

Planche [plon-shā´], James Robinson. 1796–1870. Dramatist. A prolific writer of dramas, fairy extravaganzas and farces; Prince Charming, Yellow Dwarf, etc. See Bric-a-brac Series, 1st vol., and The Biograph, March, 1880.

Plumptre, Edward Hayes. 1821 – . Poet and translator. Author Lazarus and other Poems, etc., Byways of Scripture, etc., and translation of Sophocles and Æschylus. His verse is didactic in character. Pub. Dut. Mac. Rou.

Pole, Reginald, Cardinal. 1500–1558. Theological writer.

Pollock, Frederick. 1845 – . Jurist. Author Principles of Contract, Digest of Law of Partnership, Spinoza: his Life and Philosophy, and The Land Laws in Macmillan's Eng. Citizen Series. Pub. Mac. Th.

Pollock, Robert. 1799–1827. Scotch poet. Author of The Course of Time, a heavy, didactic, blank-verse poem, once very popular. Pub. Apl. Ca. Clx.

Pomfret, John. 1667–1703. Poet. Author of The Choice. See Life, by Dr. Johnson.

Poole, John. 1786–1872. Dramatist and humorist. Author of the comedy, Paul Pry, Little Pedlington, a vol. of witty sketches, The Comic Sketch-Book, etc.

Poole, Matthew. 1624–1679. Biblical Commentator. Pub. Ca.

Pope, Alexander. 1688–1744. A correct, polished poet whose verse lacks sentiment and feeling. The heroic couplet is his usual measure. His translation of Homer, though a fine effort, lacks the freshness and spontaneity of its original. His chief poems are Essay on Man, Moral Essays, The Dunciad, a talented but terrible satire, and The Rape of the Lock, a brilliant, glittering piece of literary trifling. See editions of, by A. W. Ward, Cowden-Clarke, and Rossetti. See Lowell's My Study Windows; also Leslie Stephen's Pope in Eng. Men of Letters. Pub. Apl. Le. Mac. Rou.

Porson, Richard. 1759–1808. Classical scholar and writer of note. See Watson's Life of, 1861.

Porter, Anna Maria. 1781–1832. Novelist. Don Sebastian is perhaps the best of her numerous novels.

Porter, Jane. 1776–1850. Novelist. Sister to A. M. P. The famous romances Thaddeus of Warsaw and Scottish Chiefs are her chief works. Pub. Apl. Le. Lip. Por.

Powell, Baden. 1796–1860. Philosopher. Author Hist. Nat. Philosophy, Spirit of Inductive Philosophy, Study and Evidence of Christianity, etc.

Poynter, E. Frances. 18 – . Novelist. Author My Little Lady, Ersilia, Among the Hills, etc. Pub. Ho.

Praed [prād], Winthrop Mackworth. 1802–1839. Poet. A writer of pleasing verse, of which the Belle of the Ball is a good example. See Complete Works, edited by Sir Geo. Young. See Ward's Eng. Poets, vol. 4. Pub. Arm.

Price, Bonamy. 1807 – . Political economist. Author Practical Political Economy, Currency and Banking, Principles of Currency, etc. Pub. Apl.

Prideaux [prĭd´o, or prĭd-ŭx], Humphrey. 1648–1724. Theologian. Noted for his Connection of the Old and New Testaments. Pub. Har. Mac.

Priestley, Joseph. 1733–1804. Theologian and scientist. Author of over 300 books on chemistry, theology, metaphysics, etc. See Works of, 1824, 26 vols. See Life of, by Corry.

Pringle, Thomas. 1789–1834. Scotch poet. His best poem is the spirited Afar in the Desert. See Grant Wilson's Poets of Scotland.

Prior, Matthew. 1664–1721. Poet. A sprightly writer whose light and airy style is seen to best advantage in his comic narrative poems. See Ward's Eng. Poets, vol. 3. Pub. Hou.

Procter, Adelaide Anne. 1825–1864. Poet. Dau. to B. W. P. Author Legends and Lyrics. See Stedman's Victorian Poets. Pub. Hou.

Procter, Bryan Waller, "Barry Cornwall." 1790–1874. Poet. A writer of somewhat over-praised lyric verse. The tragedy of Mirandola is his finest dramatic effort. See Autobiography. Compare Stedman's Victorian Poets and Ward's Eng. Poets, vol. 4.

Proctor Richard Anthony. 1837 – . Astronomer. Author Other Worlds than Ours, Our Place Among the Infinities, etc. Pub. Apl. Arm. Lip. Put.

Prout, Father. See Mahoney, Francis.

Prynne, Wm. 1600–1669. Political and antiquarian writer.

Pugin [pū-jin], Augustus. 1792–1832. Architectural writer of note.

Pugin, Augustin Welby Northmore. 1812–1852. Architect. Son to A. P. Author Examples of Gothic Architecture, Glossary of Eccl. Ornament, etc. See Ferrey's Recollections of A. W. N. Pugin and Augustus Pugin, 1861.

Purchas, Samuel. 1577–1628. Chronicler and compiler of travels.

Pusey [pū´zĭ], Edward Bouverie. 1800–1882. Theologian. Author Hist. Councils of the Church, Doctrine of the Real Presence, etc, and many of the Tracts for the Times. The earlier Ritualists were named Puseyites. His influence greatly deepened the religious feeling of the Anglican Church. See Life, by Liddon. Pub. Apl.

Pusey, Philip Edward. 18 – 1880. Theological writer. Son to E. B. P.

Puttenham, George. 1530-c. 1600. Author of The Art of Eng. Poesie.

Pye, Henry James. 1745–1813. Poet. Author of very indifferent verse.

Quarles, Francis. 1592–1644. Poet. An ingenious versifier, very popular in his own day, and now chiefly known by his Divine Emblems and a vol. of prose maxims entitled Enchiridion.

Quarles, John. 1624–1665. Poet. Son to F. Q. Author Divine Meditations, etc. His verse is marked by the same fantastic, labored conceits as that of his father.

Quincey, Thos. de. See De Quincey.

Radcliffe, Mrs. Ann [Ward]. 1764–1823. Novelist. A writer of powerful sensational romances, the best known of which are The Mysteries of Udolpho and Romance of the Forest. See Memoir of, by Talfourd, and Memoir of, by Miss Rossetti. Pub. Clx. Rou.

Raleigh [raw´lĭ], Sir Walter. 1532–1618. His chief work, The Hist. of the World, has great literary merit. See Lives, by Whitehead, Oldys, Birch, Cayley, Thomson, Tytler, Napier, St. John, and Edwards. See Ward's Eng. Poets, vol. 1.