His early poems, written
when he was a boy, won for him admission to
the university.
when he was a boy, won for him admission to
the university.
Warner - World's Best Literature - v29 - BIographical Dictionary
”
Blake, William. An English poet and art-
ist; born in London, Nov. 28, 1757 ; died there,
Aug. 12, 1827. He learned to draw; became
a noted illustrator and engraver; had a print-
shop in London; and exhibited at the Royal
Academy. His imagination was strange, power-
ful, grotesque, and poetic; and his belief was
that his poems and drawings were communi-
cations from the spirit world. His “Poetical
Sketches) (London, 1783); “Songs of Inno-
cence) (1789); and (Songs of Experience)
(1794), contain pastoral and lyrical poems of
great beauty. His "Prophetic Books, includ-
ing (Book of Thel (1789); Marriage of
Heaven and Hell' (1790); (Book of Urizen)
(1794); Book of Los' (1795); “Book of Ahania)
(1795); “Jerusalem' (1804); and Milton' (1804),
are famous. His greatest artistic work is in
(Illustrations to the Book of Job) (1826). *
Blanc, Charles (blon). A French art critic
(1813-82). He was director of the government
department of fine art, 1848–52. His contribu-
tions to the history and philosophy of art com-
prise : (A History of Painters of all Schools)
(14 vols. , 1849-69); "The Treasure of Curios-
ity) (1858); “Grammar of the Arts of Design,
his greatest work (1867); (Art in Personal
Adornment and Attire); (posthumously) (His-
tory of the Artistic Renaissance in Italy) (2
vols. , 1889). *
Blanchard, Edward Laman. An English
dramatist and novelist (1820-89); born in Lon-
don. His novels, (Temple Bar) and A Man
Without a Destiny,' evinced no special talent
for story-telling; on the other hand, he com-
posed for Drury Lane Theatre about 100
(Christmas Pantomimes) in the vein of gro-
tesque-burlesque, among them (Sindbad the
Sailor,' which were received with unbounded
popular favor.
## p. 63 (#79) ##############################################
BLANCHE - BLOUET
63
Blanche, August Theodor (blänsh). A
Swedish dramatist and novelist; born in Stock-
holm, Sept. 17, 1811; died there, Nov. 30, 1868.
His comedies and farces- more particularly
Jenny, or the Steamboat Trip, (The Doc-
tor, (The Rich Uncle,' and (The Foundling'-
have made all Sweden laugh; while his realistic
fictions - among them "The Spectre, (Tales
of a Cabman,' and (Sons of North and South)
-- are eagerly read.
Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna (blä-vät'ski).
A noted Theosophist; born at Yekaterinoslav,
Russia, 1831; died in London, May 8, 1891.
She founded the “Theosophical Society » in
New York (1875). She wrote: (Isis Unveiled
(1876); (The Secret Doctrine) (1888); Key
to Theosophy) (1889); etc.
Blaze de Bury, Ange Henri (bläz dė bü-
ré'). A French literary critic and historian
(1813-88); born at Paris. He was profoundly
conversant with German literature, and pub-
lished many admirable studies on that subject.
His historical sketches - The Königsmarcks)
(1855), «The Legend of Versailles) (1870),
Women of the Renaissance) (1886), etc. , - and
his numerous brief memoirs of great musi-
cians, are worthy of mention.
Bledsoe, Albert Taylor (bled'ső). A promi-
nent American clergyman, educator, lawyer,
editor, soldier, and miscellaneous writer; born
at Frankfort, Ky. , Nov. 9, 1809; died at Alex-
andria, Va. , Dec. 1, 1877. He was Assistant Sec-
retary of War of the Southern Confederacy,
and both an Episcopal and a Methodist min-
ister. Besides editing the Southern Review
and contributing frequently to leading literary,
scientific, and theological periodicals, he wrote:
"Examination of Edwards on the Will (1845);
(Theodicy) (new ed. 1853); Philosophy of
Mathematics) (1868); etc.
Bleibtreu, Karl August (blīb'troi). A Ger-
man poet and novelist; born at Berlin, Jan.
13, 1859. He is one of the foremost repre-
sentatives of the “ Youngest German school
in literature, and a pronounced realist. All his
views are radical, as shown by the very titles
of his works : e. g. , Revolution in Literature)
(1885); Literature's Struggle for Life. He
also wrote: Dies Iræ); Napoleon at Leip-
sic); 'Cromwell at Marston Moor. His dramas
are : "Lord Byron (1888); “The Day of Judg.
ment); “The Queen's Necklace); etc.
Blessington, Marguerite, Countess of. An
Irish descriptive writer and novelist; born in
Knockbrit, Tipperary, Sept. I, 1789; died in
Paris, June 4, 1849. In 1818 she was married
to the Earl of Blessington, and became a
favorite in distinguished society in London and
on the Continent. Her connection with the
Count d'Orsay dated from 1822. She wrote a
number of novels : (The Idler in Italy) (Lon-
don, 1839-40); (The Idler in France) (1841);
and Conversations with Lord Byron) (1834).
Blicher, Steen Steensen (bliċh'ér). A Dan.
ish poet and novelist (1782-1848); born at
Viborg. His first work was a translation of
(Ossian) (2 vols. , 1807-9); and his first original
poems appeared in 1814, but attracted little
notice. He quickly won a national reputa-
tion with his novels, and in 1842 appeared his
masterpiece of novel-writing, (The Knitting-
Room, a collection of short stories in the Jut-
land dialect. *
Blind, Mathilde. A German-English poet;
born in Mannheim, March 21, 1847; died in
London, Nov. 26, 1896. She went to England
in 1849, and won fame by her writings: (The
Prophecy of St. Oran, and Other Poems) (Lon-
don, 1881); Life of George Eliot) (1883);
(Madame Roland) (1886); (The Heather on
Fire, a tale (1886); Ascent of Man (1889);
(Dramas in Miniature) (1892); (Songs and
Sonnets) (1893); and (Birds of Passage)
(1895). *
Bliss, William Dwight Porter. A promi.
nent American Episcopal clergyman and writer
on Christian Socialism; born in Italy, 1856. He
has written a (Handbook of Socialism); “What
is Christian Socialism? ) etc. , and compiled
the Encyclopædia of Socialism' (1897), be-
sides editing a Christian Socialist weekly, The
Dawn, now The Fabian.
Bloede, Gertrude (ble'de). An American
poet and novelist, better known as
( Stuart
Sterne )); born in Saxony, Germany, 1845. She
has written in verse : (Angelo' (new ed. 1879),
(Giorgio and Other Poems) (1881), etc. ; and
(The Story of Two Lives,' a novel.
Blommaert, Philipp (blom'märt). A Flem-
ish poet, historian, and dramatist; born in
Ghent, Aug. 27, 1809; died there, Aug. 14, 1871.
His great ambition was to make his native
Flemish tongue a literary language, and to
unify the people who wrote and spoke it. llis
works include: History of the Belgian Low-
landers,' a specimen of stately prose; (The-
oophilus,' a poem; and Old Flemish Ballads.
Bloomfield, Robert. An English poet; born
at Honington, Dec. 3, 1766; died in Shefford,
1823. Apprenticed to a shoemaker in London,
he chanced upon odd volumes of the poets,
and thus was awakened his native poetic
genius. He first came into public notice with
( The Milk-Maid,' and good fortune attended
his (The Sailor's Return. He essayed a longer
Alight in (The Farmer's Boy) (1800), by which
he established his title to rank among the
minor poets.
Bloomfield-Moore, Mrs. Clara Sophia (Jes-
sup). An American poet and novelist; born
in Pennsylvania, 1824. Her home is in Phila-
delphia, though she has lived much abroad,
particularly in England. She has written : (Mis-
cellaneous Poems, (The Warden's Tale, and
Other Poems, etc. , and the romance (On Dan-
gerous Ground, besides essays on science and
in promotion of inventions.
Blouet, Paul (blö-ā'). [“Max O’Rell. ”] A
French lecturer and author; born in Brittany,
France, March 2, 1848. During his early life
## p. 64 (#80) ##############################################
64
BLUM - BÖDTCHER
of which he afterwards became principai. In
1880 he became president of Liberia College,
has held important governmental positions, and
has twice been commissioner to the Presbyte-
rian General Assembly of the United States (in
1861 and 1880). He is proficient in many lan-
guages, including Latin, Greek, Spanish, He-
brew, and Arabic. He has published: Liberia's
Offering) (1873); (From West Africa to Pales-
tine) (1873); (The Negro in Ancient History);
etc.
he was an officer of cavalry in the French army,
but in 1873 went to England and became a
teacher. After the publication of his first book,
(John Bull and his Island (1883), he abandoned
teaching and devoted himself to literature. He
has made several lecturing-tours of the United
States. His works include : John Bull and his
Daughters) (1884); Jonathan and his Conti-
nent) (1888, with Jack Allyn); (A Frenchman
in America) (1891); John Bull & Co. (1894).
Blum, Ernest (blüm). A French dramatist;
born in Paris, Aug. 15, 1836. Either alone or
in collaboration with other dramatists he is
author of many highly successful plays. The
drama of (Rose Michel (1877), of his own
composition, insured his place among the
most successful French dramatists of the time.
Among his later compositions are : (Adam and
Eve) (1886); (The Nervous Women(1888);
(End of the Century) (1890).
Blumenreich, Franziska (blo'men-rich). A
German novelist; born in Bohemia, April 2,
1849. Among her very numerous novels these
are the more notable : (At the Abyss of Mar-
riage) (1888); (Freighted with Bliss) (1890);
(Storms in Port) (1892). She is a zealous
advocate of woman's rights.
Blumenthal, Oskar (blö'men-täl). A Ger-
man dramatist and critic; born in Berlin,
March 13, 1852. Sprightliness of dialogue is
the most distinguishing character of his plays;
the most successful of them are : (The Big
Bell); (A Drop of Poison); (The Black Veil. )
He has published several volumes of critical
and miscellaneous essays.
Blunt, Wilfrid Scawen. An Irish poet;
born at Crabbet Park, Sussex, in 1840. He
was attaché of legation at The Hague, Athens,
Madrid, Buenos Ayres, and elsewhere. He
supported Arabi Pasha in a revolt in 1881, in
Egypt; and was imprisoned in 1888 for his
insurrectionary actions in Ireland. He is author
of : “Sonnets and Songs by Proteus) (London,
1875); (The Love Sonnets of Proteus) (1881;
new ed. 1885); (The Future of Islam? (1882);
(The Wind and the Whirlwind, political
poems (1884); "Ideas about India) (1885); and
Esther: a Young Man's Tragedy) (1895).
Blüthgen, August Edward Viktor (blūt'-
gen). A German novelist; born at Zörbig,
near Halle, Jan. 4. 1844. He has won high
distinction as a writer for the young. Among
his stories for boys and girls are : (The
Rogues' Looking-Glass) (1876); (The Battle
of Frogs and Mice) (1878); and with these
is to be classed the letterpress (verses) of
0. Pletsch's Picture Books. Of novels and
romances he is author of a great many: 1. g. ,
(The Peace-Breaker) (1883); (The Step-Sister)
(1887); (Madame the Countess) (1892).
Blyden, Edward Wilmot. A negro author;
born at St. Thomas, W. I. , Aug. 3, 1832. After
vainly seeking, in 1845, admission to some col-
lege in the United States, he went to Liberia,
and graduated at the Alexander High School,
Boardman, George Dana. A distinguished
American clergyman and author; born at
Tavoy, British Burma, Aug. 18, 1828. He was
the son of the eminent American Baptist mis-
sionary of the same name. He was educated
in the United States, graduating at Brown
University in 1852 and at Newton Theological
Institution in 1855. He became pastor at Barn-
well, S. C. ; afterwards at Rochester, N. Y. , till
1864, when he became pastor of the First Bap-
tist Church in Philadelphia. Besides sermons
and essays, his chief works are: (Studies
in the Creative Week) (1878); (Studies in the
Model Prayer) (1879); Epiphanies of the
Risen Lord) (1879); (Studies in the Mountain
Instruction (1880).
Boccaccio, Giovanni (bok-kä'cho). A cele.
brated Italian novelist, poet, and humanist;
born at Paris, 1313; died Dec. 21, 1375. His
first romance was "Filocopo,' dedicated to his
mistress Fiammetta. The romantic epic the
(Theseid) followed; it is the first Italian work
of the kind. Both for itself and for its associa-
tions, the (Theseid is of interest to students
of English literature, having been a source
of inspiration to Chaucer in his (Knightes
Tale. (Fiammetta in Love) is a work of
the finest psychological analysis, clothed in
every grace of poesy. Love's Labyrinth) is
a vigorous satire on woman. But Boccaccio's
enduring fame rests on the Decameron); a
collection of stories original and borrowed,
set in a narrative framework, all of the high-
est charm. *
Bodenstedt, Friedrich Martin von (bö'den-
stet). [“Mirza Schaffy. ”] A noted German
poet and journalist; born 1819; died 1892.
His works include: Poetical Ukraine); “The
People of the Caucasus and their Struggle for
Freedom against the Russians); (Thousand
and One Days in the East); and many others
dealing with Oriental themes. *
Bodmer, Johann Jakob (bod'mer). A Swiss
scholar and literary critic; born near Zürich,
July 19, 1698; died Jan. 2, 1783. He was the
first to make English literature known in Ger-
many; and wrote dramas, and the epics (The
Deluge) (1751) and Noah) (1752). He pub-
lished two volumes of (Critical Letters,' and
prepared editions of ancient German poetry:
(Specimens of Thirteenth-Century Suabian
Poetry); (Fables from the Time of the Minne-
singers) ; (Kriemhilde's Revenge); etc. *
Bödtcher, Ludwig (bėt'che). A Danish lyr.
ist (1793-1874); born at Copenhagen. He spent
## p. 65 (#81) ##############################################
BOËTIUS-BOISGOBEY
65
(
many years in Italy, and nature and man in
Italy equally with nature and man in Den-
mark are the themes of his finest poems,
notably Bacchus,' and the collection called
(Poems Old and New)
Boëtius or Boëthius, Anicius Manlius Tor-
quatus Severinus (bo-e'thi-us). A Roman
didactic poet and statesman; born between
470 and 475; died about 525. While in prison,
rightly anticipating execution, he composed his
celebrated (Consolation of Philosophy. It pur-
ports to be a dialogue between Philosophy and
her votary, and is in both prose and verse. *
Bogaers, Adriaan (bo'gärs). A Dutch poet
(1795-1870); born at The Hague. He holds
eminent place among the many disciples of
Tollens, and surpasses his master in correct-
ness of taste. He long withheld his composi-
tions from publication, and not till 1832 did
he become known to his countrymen; he then
published his first lyric poem, "Volharding,' -
an appeal to his countrymen to stand fast in the
struggle with Belgium,- together with other
patriotic pieces. His first poem of any con-
siderable compass, the epic (Jochebed, and
his masterpiece, “The Voyage of Heemskerk
to Gibraltar, were first formally published in
1860-61, though they had had for many years
a private circulation among friends. He after-
ward, published three volumes : Ballads and
Romances); (Flowers of Poesy from Abroad);
and Poems.
Bogart, William Henry (bo'gärt). An
American biographer; born at Albany, N. Y. ,
1810; died 1888. He wrote: Life of Daniel
Boone) (7th thousand, 1856); (Who Goes
There? ) etc.
Bogdanovich, Ippolit Feodorovich (bog-dä-
nõ'vich). A Russian poet (1744-1803); born
in Little Russia.
His early poems, written
when he was a boy, won for him admission to
the university. His most celebrated work is
a charming free elaboration of Lafontaine's
(Loves of Psyche and Cupid. He also wrote
dramas and comedies, and published a collec-
tion of (Proverbs. '
Bogdanovich, Modést Ivanovich. A Rus-
sian military historian and commander; born
1805; died in Oranienbaum, Aug. 6, 1882. He
was a very able soldier, and even abler with
the pen; his Bonaparte's Campaign in Italy,
1796 (2d ed. 1860) and History of the Art
of War,' and particularly his (History of the
Campaign of 1812) (2d ed. 1861), having at-
tracted wide notice.
Bögh, Erik (bėg). A Danish poet and dram-
atist; born in Copenhagen, Jan. 17, 1822. He
is best known for his witty stanzas and epi-
grams in periodicals, for (This and That, a
collection of humorous essays, and for a hun-
dred or so of plays and farces. A novel,
Jonas Tvärmose's Vexations, has merit.
Bogović, Mirko (bo'gā-vich). A Croatian
poet (1816-93) ; born at Agram. His first liter-
ary work was in translating Serb poetry into
German. His original lyric poems appeared
under the title “Violets) (1844); being fol-
lowed by two successful volumes of his col-
lected verse.
He wrote also dramas, among
them the tragedy (Stephen, Last King of Bos-
nia); and several novels.
Boguslavski, Adalbert (bő-gö-slav'ske). A
Polish dramatist (1759-1829); born near Posen.
He composed the first opera ever written in
the Polish language. For several years he was
director of theatres in various towns, and in
1790 became director of the National Theatre
at Warsaw. As an actor he excelled alike in
tragedy and in comedy, and he formed many
pupils who gained high distinction on the
stage. The best of his dramatic compositions
is the popular melodrama (The Wonder, or
the Men of Krakau and the Mountaineers. )
Böhlau, Helene (bė'lou). A German novel-
ist; born at Weim, Nov. 22, 1859. She shows
now and then a leaning toward the romantic
school, but on the whole her high power of
description is realistic and her writings are
imbued with passion. Among her novels are :
(Under Death's Ban) (1882); (Guilty of a Pure
Heart) (1888); (In Freshwater) (1891).
Böhme, Jakob (bė'mė). A German mystic
theologian; born in Altseidenburg, in the
Oberlausitz, 1575; died in Görlitz, Nov. 17,
1624. He was a peasant's son and learned the
shoemaker's trade; but his lack of early advan-
tages was recompensed by the heavenly illu-
minations with which he was favored, and
which are set forth in about twenty books,-
among them (Aurora, or the Sunrise) (1612).
He was very widely read at one time, and still
has devoted adherents. But he himself ac-
knowledges the obscurity of his writings.
Boileau-Despréaux, Nicolas (bwä-lö'dā.
prā-o'). A noted French poet and critic; born
in Paris, Nov. I, 1636; died March 13, 1711.
His first effort was (The Farewell of a Poet
to the City of Paris) (1660), and six years
later published collectedly seven satires (after-
ward increased to twelve), in which he casti-
gates even the magnates of the literary world.
Following the vein worked by Horace, he
published (The Art of Poetry (1674). In
reply to the critics Boileau composed (The
Reading-Desk, a comic epic which is esteemed
a masterpiece. *
Boisard, François Marie (bwä-zär). A
French fabulist (1744-1833). Of all the French
fabulists he is least an imitator of the great
Lafontaine. His Fables) were at first pub-
lished in the newspaper Mercure de France,
and afterwards gathered in two collections.
His (Ode on the Deluge) was crowned by the
Rouen Academy, 1790.
Boisgobey, Fortuné-Abraham du (bwä-go-
bā'). A French novelist; born in Granville,
Sept. II, 1821; died in February 1891. In
1844-48 he was paymaster in the army at
Algiers, and began to write in 1868, somewhat
on the lines of Emile Gaboriau. His novels
5
## p. 66 (#82) ##############################################
66
BOISSIER - BOLTON
were popular, and include: (The Scoundrels)
(Paris, 1873); (Chevalier Casse-Con (1873);
(The Mysteries of Modern Paris) (1876); (The
Demi-Monde under the Terror) (1877); (The
Old Age of M. Lecoq' (1878); (The Cat's
Eye) (1888); and (The Cold Hland) (1879).
Boissier, Gaston (bwä-syā'). A French bio-
graphical and critical writer; born at Nîmes,
1823. He is a member of the Academy, and has.
won celebrity with (Cicero and his Friends);
"Life of Madame de Sévigné); (Archeological
Walks in Rome and Naples); and others. He
is a frequent contributor to French periodical
literature. *
Boito, Arrigo (bő-e'to). An Italian poet
and musician; born at Padua, 1842. His father
was an Italian painter and his mother was a
Polish lady, and the son inherits the gifts of
both nations. His librettos written for Verdi,
Bottesini, and others, and his own operas,
(Mefistofele) and Nerone,' are of a high order
of poetry. In 1877 he published a separate
volume of verse.
Bojardo, Matteo Maria (bő-yär'dő). A cele-
brated Italian poet; born at Scandiano, about
1434; died at Reggio, Dec. 21, 1494. He was
of noble origin in Lombardy, and all his life
held high and responsible posts in the civil
government at Modena and at Reggio. His
great fame rests on the romantic epic (Orlando
in Love, which tells of the loves of Char-
lemagne's knight Roland and the fair Angelica
and the adventures connected therewith. The
epic was planned to be completed in three
books, but at the author's death only two books,
of 29 and 31 cantos respectively, were finished;
the composition of the third book had reached
only the ninth canto. Niccolò degli Agostini
wrote a continuation in 33 cantos. In point
of imagination and invention Bojardo ranks
among the greatest poets. But his versification
is far from perfect, and his language lacks
grace and purity; because of these and other
blemishes the (Orlando) was recast and pol-
ished by Francesco Berni, and with eminent
German novelist; born at Niedergailbach, Aug.
9, 1828. A Catholic theologian, and high in
favor at the papal court, his fictions, all brilliant
in style and conception, attack the Protestant
standpoint from all directions;-'A Wedding
Trip'; Queen Bertha); Barbarossa); (The
Free-Thinkers); and Historical Tales of Fred-
erick II, and his Times,' being noteworthy
examples.
Boldrewood, Rolf, pseudonym of Thomas
Alexander Browne. An Australian author:
born in England in 1827. He is a son of
Capt. Sylvester J. Browne, a founder of Vel.
bourne, Australia. He was educated in Sidney
College, and has written : (Ups and Downs :
a Story of Australian Life) (London, 1879:)
(Robbery under Arms: Life and Adventures in
the Bush) (1888); (A Squatter's Dream Story)
(1890); and “A Modern Buccaneer) (1894).
Bolingbroke, Henry St. John, Viscount. A
celebrated English statesman, orator, and au-
thor ; born at Battersea, Oct. I, 1678; died there,
Dec. 12, 1751. He entered Parliament in 1701;
became Secretary of War 1704-8, and Sec-
retary of State in 1710. In 1712 he entered the
House of Lords, and in 1713 negotiated the
Peace of Utrecht. On the accession of George
I. he fled to the Continent, and in 1715 was
attainted of treason; but in 1723 he was per
mitted to return. His chief works are: "A
Dissertation on Parties); "Letters on the Study
of History); Letters on the Spirit of Patriot-
ism); and (The Idea of a Patriot King. He
was a Deist, but taught that a statesman
should profess the doctrines of the Church of
England. He was an effective orator; but the
style of his philosophical and political works,
though polished, is heavy and declamatory.
Bolintineanu, Dimitrie (bo-lēn-tê-na-än'). A
Roumanian poet; born at Bolintina in Wallachia,
1826; died Sept. 1, 1872. He is widely known
for the beauty of the stanzas comprising his
earliest collected verse, "Songs and Plaints. "
He wrote also a successful novel, Helena,
and an epic poem, "The Trajanid, besides
Roumanian ballads and the philosophical epic
of (Manoil.
Bolles, Frank (bölz. ) An American essayist
and poet; born in Massachusetts, 1856; died
1894. He wrote: (From Blomidon to Smoky;)
(Land of the Lingering Snow,' etc. ; in verse,
(Chocorua's Tenants.
Bolton, Charles Knowles (böl'ton). An
American poet and miscellaneous writer, son
of Mrs. Sarah Knowles Bolton; born in Ohio,
1867. He is librarian of Brookline, Mass. He
has written in prose : (Gossiping Guide to
Harvard, (Saskia, the Wife of Rembrandt,
etc. ; in verse : (The Wooing of Martha Pit-
kin' Love Story of L'rsula Wolcott, etc.
Bolton, Henry Carrington. An American
scientific writer; born in New York, 1843. He
was professor of chemistry and natural science
at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. Besides
works on chemistry he has written: "The
3
success.
Bok, Edward William. An American editor
and essayist; born in Holland, 1863. He has edited
the Ladies' Home Journal, and written (The
Young Man in Business) and (Successward. "
Boker, George Henry. An American poet
and dramatist; born in Philadelphia, Pa. , Oct.
6, 1823; died there, Jan. 2, 1890. He graduated
from Princeton in 1842; studied law; and was
United States minister to Turkey in 1871-75,
and to Russia in 1875–79. His plays include:
(Calaynos) (1848); Anne Boleyn) (1850);
(Francesca di Rimini); (The Betrothed”; and
(All the World's a Mask. Collected plays and
poems (Boston, 1856). Also (Poems of the
War' (1864); (Königsmark and other Poems)
(1869); (The Book of the Dead) (1882); and
(Sonnets) (1886). *
Bolanden, Konrad von (bo'län-den), pseudo-
nym of Joseph Eduard Konrad Bischoff. A
## p. 67 (#83) ##############################################
BOLTON – BORNEIL
67
Counting-Out Rhymes of Children, a Study in
Folk-Lore) (1888): Literature of Manganese );
and Students' Guide in Quantitative Analysis. '
Bolton, Sarah Knowles. An American au-
thor; born in Farmington, Conn. , Sept. 15, 1841.
She married Charles E. Bolton, a merchant
and philanthropist, and resides in Cleveland,
0. She is the author of a number of books, in
cluding : Girls who Became Famous) (1886);
(Famous American Authors) 1887); (Famous
American Statesmen (1888); (Famous Types of
Womanhood) (1892); etc.
Bolton, Sarah Tittle. An American poet;
born in Newport, Ky. , Dec. 18, 1815; died in
Indianapolis, Ind. , Aug. 4, 1893. She is known
for her patriotic and war poems, including:
Paddle Your Own Canoe); Left on the Bat-
tlefield); etc. (Poems) (New York, 1865; In-
dianapolis, 1886).
Bonacci-Brunamonti, Maria Alinda (bo-
nä'che-brö-nä-mon'tē). An Italian poet; born
in Perugia, 1842. She was only fourteen years
old when her first Collection of Poems) ap-
peared and attracted much attention. Her
National Songs) (1859-78) were inspired by
Italy's struggle for freedom.
Bonar, Horatius (bon'är). A celebrated
Scotch hymnist; born in Edinburgh, Dec. 19,
1808; died July 31, 1889. He wrote Hymns
of Faith and Hope,' many of which have been
taken into the hymnals of most of the Prot-
estant churches. He also wrote more than 20
volumes on theological and religious subjects.
Bonaventura, Saint (bā''nä-ven-to'rä). An
Italian theologian and scholar; born at Ba-
gnarea, 1221; died 1274. His real name was
Giovanni di Fidenza. His writings include:
"Life of Saint Francis); 'Progress of the Mind
towards God”; “Breviloquium'; and many ser-
mons and treatises on theological subjects. *
Bonavino, Cristoforo. See Franchi.
Bondi, Clemente (bon'dē). An Italian poet;
born near Parma, June 27, 1742; died at Vienna,
June 20, 1821. At the suppression of the Com-
pany of Jesus, he, though a Jesuit, lauded that
act in a poem and had to flee his country.
While yet a member of the Jesuit order he
wrote a spirited humorous poem, "Rural Days)
(1773), in three cantos, descriptive of the pranks
and sports of a band of students.
Boner, John Henry. An American poet and
literary worker; born at Salem, N. C. , Jan. 31,
1845. A contributor to the magazines, he was
on the editorial staff of the Century Diction-
ary) and the (Standard Dictionary,' and was
once literary editor of the New York World.
He has written "Whispering Pines) (1883), a
volume of verse.
Bonghi, Ruggero (bon'ge). An Italian
scholar and controversial writer; born in Na-
ples, March 21, 1826. The commencement of
his brilliant career indicated scholarly activi-
ties only, for he made fine studies and versions
of Aristotle and Plato; but latterly he has
taken up such subjects as "The Financial His-
tory of Italy, 1864-88) (1868); “The Life and
Times of Valentino Pasini) (1867); and (The
Life of Jesus) (1890); the popularity and value
of these and other works giving him great
prominence.
Boniface. See Saintine.
Bonnechose, Émile Boisnormand de (bôn-
shoz'). A French poet and historian (1801-75);
born at Leyerdorp in Holland. His one nota-
ble poetical composition is (The Death of
Bailly) (1833). Besides a (History of France)
he is author of: (Reformers before the 16th-
Century Reformation) (1844); (The Four Con-
quests of England) (2 vols. , 1851); (History of
England (4 vols. , 1859).
Bonnières, Robert de (bôn-vār'). A French
journalist and novelist; born at Paris, April
7, 1850. He commenced his literary career as
contributor to Paris journals of spirited but
waspish biographs of contemporary men: these
were collected and published in three succes-
sive volumes of Memoirs of To-day. His
novels are full of transparent allusions to noted
persons, and have had a very great vogue. In
one of them, “The Monarch, he portrays high
Jewish society in Paris.
Booth, Mary Louise. An American writer;
born in Yaphank, L. I. , April 19, 1831 ; died in
New York city, March 5, 1889. She was editor
of Harper's Bazar from 1867 until her death ;
translated many novels and histories, including
Gasparin's (Uprising of a Great People, and
H. Martin's (History of France) (6 vols. , 1880).
Borel, Pétrus (bo-rel'). [Properly Pierre
Borel d'Hauterive. ] A French journalist and
author; born in Lyons, June 28, 1809; died in
Algeria, July 14, 1859. His character was ec-
centric: he surnamed himself the «Were-
wolf, and his writings both prose and verse
were romantic and bizarre. They include:
(Rhapsodies,' poems (Paris, 1831); "Champa-
vert, stories (1833); and (Madam Potiphar, a
novel (2 vols. , 1839).
Börne, Ludwig (bėr'ne). An eminent Ger-
man political writer; born at Frankfort-on-the
Main, of Jewish parents, May 6, 1786; died at
Paris, Feb.
Blake, William. An English poet and art-
ist; born in London, Nov. 28, 1757 ; died there,
Aug. 12, 1827. He learned to draw; became
a noted illustrator and engraver; had a print-
shop in London; and exhibited at the Royal
Academy. His imagination was strange, power-
ful, grotesque, and poetic; and his belief was
that his poems and drawings were communi-
cations from the spirit world. His “Poetical
Sketches) (London, 1783); “Songs of Inno-
cence) (1789); and (Songs of Experience)
(1794), contain pastoral and lyrical poems of
great beauty. His "Prophetic Books, includ-
ing (Book of Thel (1789); Marriage of
Heaven and Hell' (1790); (Book of Urizen)
(1794); Book of Los' (1795); “Book of Ahania)
(1795); “Jerusalem' (1804); and Milton' (1804),
are famous. His greatest artistic work is in
(Illustrations to the Book of Job) (1826). *
Blanc, Charles (blon). A French art critic
(1813-82). He was director of the government
department of fine art, 1848–52. His contribu-
tions to the history and philosophy of art com-
prise : (A History of Painters of all Schools)
(14 vols. , 1849-69); "The Treasure of Curios-
ity) (1858); “Grammar of the Arts of Design,
his greatest work (1867); (Art in Personal
Adornment and Attire); (posthumously) (His-
tory of the Artistic Renaissance in Italy) (2
vols. , 1889). *
Blanchard, Edward Laman. An English
dramatist and novelist (1820-89); born in Lon-
don. His novels, (Temple Bar) and A Man
Without a Destiny,' evinced no special talent
for story-telling; on the other hand, he com-
posed for Drury Lane Theatre about 100
(Christmas Pantomimes) in the vein of gro-
tesque-burlesque, among them (Sindbad the
Sailor,' which were received with unbounded
popular favor.
## p. 63 (#79) ##############################################
BLANCHE - BLOUET
63
Blanche, August Theodor (blänsh). A
Swedish dramatist and novelist; born in Stock-
holm, Sept. 17, 1811; died there, Nov. 30, 1868.
His comedies and farces- more particularly
Jenny, or the Steamboat Trip, (The Doc-
tor, (The Rich Uncle,' and (The Foundling'-
have made all Sweden laugh; while his realistic
fictions - among them "The Spectre, (Tales
of a Cabman,' and (Sons of North and South)
-- are eagerly read.
Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna (blä-vät'ski).
A noted Theosophist; born at Yekaterinoslav,
Russia, 1831; died in London, May 8, 1891.
She founded the “Theosophical Society » in
New York (1875). She wrote: (Isis Unveiled
(1876); (The Secret Doctrine) (1888); Key
to Theosophy) (1889); etc.
Blaze de Bury, Ange Henri (bläz dė bü-
ré'). A French literary critic and historian
(1813-88); born at Paris. He was profoundly
conversant with German literature, and pub-
lished many admirable studies on that subject.
His historical sketches - The Königsmarcks)
(1855), «The Legend of Versailles) (1870),
Women of the Renaissance) (1886), etc. , - and
his numerous brief memoirs of great musi-
cians, are worthy of mention.
Bledsoe, Albert Taylor (bled'ső). A promi-
nent American clergyman, educator, lawyer,
editor, soldier, and miscellaneous writer; born
at Frankfort, Ky. , Nov. 9, 1809; died at Alex-
andria, Va. , Dec. 1, 1877. He was Assistant Sec-
retary of War of the Southern Confederacy,
and both an Episcopal and a Methodist min-
ister. Besides editing the Southern Review
and contributing frequently to leading literary,
scientific, and theological periodicals, he wrote:
"Examination of Edwards on the Will (1845);
(Theodicy) (new ed. 1853); Philosophy of
Mathematics) (1868); etc.
Bleibtreu, Karl August (blīb'troi). A Ger-
man poet and novelist; born at Berlin, Jan.
13, 1859. He is one of the foremost repre-
sentatives of the “ Youngest German school
in literature, and a pronounced realist. All his
views are radical, as shown by the very titles
of his works : e. g. , Revolution in Literature)
(1885); Literature's Struggle for Life. He
also wrote: Dies Iræ); Napoleon at Leip-
sic); 'Cromwell at Marston Moor. His dramas
are : "Lord Byron (1888); “The Day of Judg.
ment); “The Queen's Necklace); etc.
Blessington, Marguerite, Countess of. An
Irish descriptive writer and novelist; born in
Knockbrit, Tipperary, Sept. I, 1789; died in
Paris, June 4, 1849. In 1818 she was married
to the Earl of Blessington, and became a
favorite in distinguished society in London and
on the Continent. Her connection with the
Count d'Orsay dated from 1822. She wrote a
number of novels : (The Idler in Italy) (Lon-
don, 1839-40); (The Idler in France) (1841);
and Conversations with Lord Byron) (1834).
Blicher, Steen Steensen (bliċh'ér). A Dan.
ish poet and novelist (1782-1848); born at
Viborg. His first work was a translation of
(Ossian) (2 vols. , 1807-9); and his first original
poems appeared in 1814, but attracted little
notice. He quickly won a national reputa-
tion with his novels, and in 1842 appeared his
masterpiece of novel-writing, (The Knitting-
Room, a collection of short stories in the Jut-
land dialect. *
Blind, Mathilde. A German-English poet;
born in Mannheim, March 21, 1847; died in
London, Nov. 26, 1896. She went to England
in 1849, and won fame by her writings: (The
Prophecy of St. Oran, and Other Poems) (Lon-
don, 1881); Life of George Eliot) (1883);
(Madame Roland) (1886); (The Heather on
Fire, a tale (1886); Ascent of Man (1889);
(Dramas in Miniature) (1892); (Songs and
Sonnets) (1893); and (Birds of Passage)
(1895). *
Bliss, William Dwight Porter. A promi.
nent American Episcopal clergyman and writer
on Christian Socialism; born in Italy, 1856. He
has written a (Handbook of Socialism); “What
is Christian Socialism? ) etc. , and compiled
the Encyclopædia of Socialism' (1897), be-
sides editing a Christian Socialist weekly, The
Dawn, now The Fabian.
Bloede, Gertrude (ble'de). An American
poet and novelist, better known as
( Stuart
Sterne )); born in Saxony, Germany, 1845. She
has written in verse : (Angelo' (new ed. 1879),
(Giorgio and Other Poems) (1881), etc. ; and
(The Story of Two Lives,' a novel.
Blommaert, Philipp (blom'märt). A Flem-
ish poet, historian, and dramatist; born in
Ghent, Aug. 27, 1809; died there, Aug. 14, 1871.
His great ambition was to make his native
Flemish tongue a literary language, and to
unify the people who wrote and spoke it. llis
works include: History of the Belgian Low-
landers,' a specimen of stately prose; (The-
oophilus,' a poem; and Old Flemish Ballads.
Bloomfield, Robert. An English poet; born
at Honington, Dec. 3, 1766; died in Shefford,
1823. Apprenticed to a shoemaker in London,
he chanced upon odd volumes of the poets,
and thus was awakened his native poetic
genius. He first came into public notice with
( The Milk-Maid,' and good fortune attended
his (The Sailor's Return. He essayed a longer
Alight in (The Farmer's Boy) (1800), by which
he established his title to rank among the
minor poets.
Bloomfield-Moore, Mrs. Clara Sophia (Jes-
sup). An American poet and novelist; born
in Pennsylvania, 1824. Her home is in Phila-
delphia, though she has lived much abroad,
particularly in England. She has written : (Mis-
cellaneous Poems, (The Warden's Tale, and
Other Poems, etc. , and the romance (On Dan-
gerous Ground, besides essays on science and
in promotion of inventions.
Blouet, Paul (blö-ā'). [“Max O’Rell. ”] A
French lecturer and author; born in Brittany,
France, March 2, 1848. During his early life
## p. 64 (#80) ##############################################
64
BLUM - BÖDTCHER
of which he afterwards became principai. In
1880 he became president of Liberia College,
has held important governmental positions, and
has twice been commissioner to the Presbyte-
rian General Assembly of the United States (in
1861 and 1880). He is proficient in many lan-
guages, including Latin, Greek, Spanish, He-
brew, and Arabic. He has published: Liberia's
Offering) (1873); (From West Africa to Pales-
tine) (1873); (The Negro in Ancient History);
etc.
he was an officer of cavalry in the French army,
but in 1873 went to England and became a
teacher. After the publication of his first book,
(John Bull and his Island (1883), he abandoned
teaching and devoted himself to literature. He
has made several lecturing-tours of the United
States. His works include : John Bull and his
Daughters) (1884); Jonathan and his Conti-
nent) (1888, with Jack Allyn); (A Frenchman
in America) (1891); John Bull & Co. (1894).
Blum, Ernest (blüm). A French dramatist;
born in Paris, Aug. 15, 1836. Either alone or
in collaboration with other dramatists he is
author of many highly successful plays. The
drama of (Rose Michel (1877), of his own
composition, insured his place among the
most successful French dramatists of the time.
Among his later compositions are : (Adam and
Eve) (1886); (The Nervous Women(1888);
(End of the Century) (1890).
Blumenreich, Franziska (blo'men-rich). A
German novelist; born in Bohemia, April 2,
1849. Among her very numerous novels these
are the more notable : (At the Abyss of Mar-
riage) (1888); (Freighted with Bliss) (1890);
(Storms in Port) (1892). She is a zealous
advocate of woman's rights.
Blumenthal, Oskar (blö'men-täl). A Ger-
man dramatist and critic; born in Berlin,
March 13, 1852. Sprightliness of dialogue is
the most distinguishing character of his plays;
the most successful of them are : (The Big
Bell); (A Drop of Poison); (The Black Veil. )
He has published several volumes of critical
and miscellaneous essays.
Blunt, Wilfrid Scawen. An Irish poet;
born at Crabbet Park, Sussex, in 1840. He
was attaché of legation at The Hague, Athens,
Madrid, Buenos Ayres, and elsewhere. He
supported Arabi Pasha in a revolt in 1881, in
Egypt; and was imprisoned in 1888 for his
insurrectionary actions in Ireland. He is author
of : “Sonnets and Songs by Proteus) (London,
1875); (The Love Sonnets of Proteus) (1881;
new ed. 1885); (The Future of Islam? (1882);
(The Wind and the Whirlwind, political
poems (1884); "Ideas about India) (1885); and
Esther: a Young Man's Tragedy) (1895).
Blüthgen, August Edward Viktor (blūt'-
gen). A German novelist; born at Zörbig,
near Halle, Jan. 4. 1844. He has won high
distinction as a writer for the young. Among
his stories for boys and girls are : (The
Rogues' Looking-Glass) (1876); (The Battle
of Frogs and Mice) (1878); and with these
is to be classed the letterpress (verses) of
0. Pletsch's Picture Books. Of novels and
romances he is author of a great many: 1. g. ,
(The Peace-Breaker) (1883); (The Step-Sister)
(1887); (Madame the Countess) (1892).
Blyden, Edward Wilmot. A negro author;
born at St. Thomas, W. I. , Aug. 3, 1832. After
vainly seeking, in 1845, admission to some col-
lege in the United States, he went to Liberia,
and graduated at the Alexander High School,
Boardman, George Dana. A distinguished
American clergyman and author; born at
Tavoy, British Burma, Aug. 18, 1828. He was
the son of the eminent American Baptist mis-
sionary of the same name. He was educated
in the United States, graduating at Brown
University in 1852 and at Newton Theological
Institution in 1855. He became pastor at Barn-
well, S. C. ; afterwards at Rochester, N. Y. , till
1864, when he became pastor of the First Bap-
tist Church in Philadelphia. Besides sermons
and essays, his chief works are: (Studies
in the Creative Week) (1878); (Studies in the
Model Prayer) (1879); Epiphanies of the
Risen Lord) (1879); (Studies in the Mountain
Instruction (1880).
Boccaccio, Giovanni (bok-kä'cho). A cele.
brated Italian novelist, poet, and humanist;
born at Paris, 1313; died Dec. 21, 1375. His
first romance was "Filocopo,' dedicated to his
mistress Fiammetta. The romantic epic the
(Theseid) followed; it is the first Italian work
of the kind. Both for itself and for its associa-
tions, the (Theseid is of interest to students
of English literature, having been a source
of inspiration to Chaucer in his (Knightes
Tale. (Fiammetta in Love) is a work of
the finest psychological analysis, clothed in
every grace of poesy. Love's Labyrinth) is
a vigorous satire on woman. But Boccaccio's
enduring fame rests on the Decameron); a
collection of stories original and borrowed,
set in a narrative framework, all of the high-
est charm. *
Bodenstedt, Friedrich Martin von (bö'den-
stet). [“Mirza Schaffy. ”] A noted German
poet and journalist; born 1819; died 1892.
His works include: Poetical Ukraine); “The
People of the Caucasus and their Struggle for
Freedom against the Russians); (Thousand
and One Days in the East); and many others
dealing with Oriental themes. *
Bodmer, Johann Jakob (bod'mer). A Swiss
scholar and literary critic; born near Zürich,
July 19, 1698; died Jan. 2, 1783. He was the
first to make English literature known in Ger-
many; and wrote dramas, and the epics (The
Deluge) (1751) and Noah) (1752). He pub-
lished two volumes of (Critical Letters,' and
prepared editions of ancient German poetry:
(Specimens of Thirteenth-Century Suabian
Poetry); (Fables from the Time of the Minne-
singers) ; (Kriemhilde's Revenge); etc. *
Bödtcher, Ludwig (bėt'che). A Danish lyr.
ist (1793-1874); born at Copenhagen. He spent
## p. 65 (#81) ##############################################
BOËTIUS-BOISGOBEY
65
(
many years in Italy, and nature and man in
Italy equally with nature and man in Den-
mark are the themes of his finest poems,
notably Bacchus,' and the collection called
(Poems Old and New)
Boëtius or Boëthius, Anicius Manlius Tor-
quatus Severinus (bo-e'thi-us). A Roman
didactic poet and statesman; born between
470 and 475; died about 525. While in prison,
rightly anticipating execution, he composed his
celebrated (Consolation of Philosophy. It pur-
ports to be a dialogue between Philosophy and
her votary, and is in both prose and verse. *
Bogaers, Adriaan (bo'gärs). A Dutch poet
(1795-1870); born at The Hague. He holds
eminent place among the many disciples of
Tollens, and surpasses his master in correct-
ness of taste. He long withheld his composi-
tions from publication, and not till 1832 did
he become known to his countrymen; he then
published his first lyric poem, "Volharding,' -
an appeal to his countrymen to stand fast in the
struggle with Belgium,- together with other
patriotic pieces. His first poem of any con-
siderable compass, the epic (Jochebed, and
his masterpiece, “The Voyage of Heemskerk
to Gibraltar, were first formally published in
1860-61, though they had had for many years
a private circulation among friends. He after-
ward, published three volumes : Ballads and
Romances); (Flowers of Poesy from Abroad);
and Poems.
Bogart, William Henry (bo'gärt). An
American biographer; born at Albany, N. Y. ,
1810; died 1888. He wrote: Life of Daniel
Boone) (7th thousand, 1856); (Who Goes
There? ) etc.
Bogdanovich, Ippolit Feodorovich (bog-dä-
nõ'vich). A Russian poet (1744-1803); born
in Little Russia.
His early poems, written
when he was a boy, won for him admission to
the university. His most celebrated work is
a charming free elaboration of Lafontaine's
(Loves of Psyche and Cupid. He also wrote
dramas and comedies, and published a collec-
tion of (Proverbs. '
Bogdanovich, Modést Ivanovich. A Rus-
sian military historian and commander; born
1805; died in Oranienbaum, Aug. 6, 1882. He
was a very able soldier, and even abler with
the pen; his Bonaparte's Campaign in Italy,
1796 (2d ed. 1860) and History of the Art
of War,' and particularly his (History of the
Campaign of 1812) (2d ed. 1861), having at-
tracted wide notice.
Bögh, Erik (bėg). A Danish poet and dram-
atist; born in Copenhagen, Jan. 17, 1822. He
is best known for his witty stanzas and epi-
grams in periodicals, for (This and That, a
collection of humorous essays, and for a hun-
dred or so of plays and farces. A novel,
Jonas Tvärmose's Vexations, has merit.
Bogović, Mirko (bo'gā-vich). A Croatian
poet (1816-93) ; born at Agram. His first liter-
ary work was in translating Serb poetry into
German. His original lyric poems appeared
under the title “Violets) (1844); being fol-
lowed by two successful volumes of his col-
lected verse.
He wrote also dramas, among
them the tragedy (Stephen, Last King of Bos-
nia); and several novels.
Boguslavski, Adalbert (bő-gö-slav'ske). A
Polish dramatist (1759-1829); born near Posen.
He composed the first opera ever written in
the Polish language. For several years he was
director of theatres in various towns, and in
1790 became director of the National Theatre
at Warsaw. As an actor he excelled alike in
tragedy and in comedy, and he formed many
pupils who gained high distinction on the
stage. The best of his dramatic compositions
is the popular melodrama (The Wonder, or
the Men of Krakau and the Mountaineers. )
Böhlau, Helene (bė'lou). A German novel-
ist; born at Weim, Nov. 22, 1859. She shows
now and then a leaning toward the romantic
school, but on the whole her high power of
description is realistic and her writings are
imbued with passion. Among her novels are :
(Under Death's Ban) (1882); (Guilty of a Pure
Heart) (1888); (In Freshwater) (1891).
Böhme, Jakob (bė'mė). A German mystic
theologian; born in Altseidenburg, in the
Oberlausitz, 1575; died in Görlitz, Nov. 17,
1624. He was a peasant's son and learned the
shoemaker's trade; but his lack of early advan-
tages was recompensed by the heavenly illu-
minations with which he was favored, and
which are set forth in about twenty books,-
among them (Aurora, or the Sunrise) (1612).
He was very widely read at one time, and still
has devoted adherents. But he himself ac-
knowledges the obscurity of his writings.
Boileau-Despréaux, Nicolas (bwä-lö'dā.
prā-o'). A noted French poet and critic; born
in Paris, Nov. I, 1636; died March 13, 1711.
His first effort was (The Farewell of a Poet
to the City of Paris) (1660), and six years
later published collectedly seven satires (after-
ward increased to twelve), in which he casti-
gates even the magnates of the literary world.
Following the vein worked by Horace, he
published (The Art of Poetry (1674). In
reply to the critics Boileau composed (The
Reading-Desk, a comic epic which is esteemed
a masterpiece. *
Boisard, François Marie (bwä-zär). A
French fabulist (1744-1833). Of all the French
fabulists he is least an imitator of the great
Lafontaine. His Fables) were at first pub-
lished in the newspaper Mercure de France,
and afterwards gathered in two collections.
His (Ode on the Deluge) was crowned by the
Rouen Academy, 1790.
Boisgobey, Fortuné-Abraham du (bwä-go-
bā'). A French novelist; born in Granville,
Sept. II, 1821; died in February 1891. In
1844-48 he was paymaster in the army at
Algiers, and began to write in 1868, somewhat
on the lines of Emile Gaboriau. His novels
5
## p. 66 (#82) ##############################################
66
BOISSIER - BOLTON
were popular, and include: (The Scoundrels)
(Paris, 1873); (Chevalier Casse-Con (1873);
(The Mysteries of Modern Paris) (1876); (The
Demi-Monde under the Terror) (1877); (The
Old Age of M. Lecoq' (1878); (The Cat's
Eye) (1888); and (The Cold Hland) (1879).
Boissier, Gaston (bwä-syā'). A French bio-
graphical and critical writer; born at Nîmes,
1823. He is a member of the Academy, and has.
won celebrity with (Cicero and his Friends);
"Life of Madame de Sévigné); (Archeological
Walks in Rome and Naples); and others. He
is a frequent contributor to French periodical
literature. *
Boito, Arrigo (bő-e'to). An Italian poet
and musician; born at Padua, 1842. His father
was an Italian painter and his mother was a
Polish lady, and the son inherits the gifts of
both nations. His librettos written for Verdi,
Bottesini, and others, and his own operas,
(Mefistofele) and Nerone,' are of a high order
of poetry. In 1877 he published a separate
volume of verse.
Bojardo, Matteo Maria (bő-yär'dő). A cele-
brated Italian poet; born at Scandiano, about
1434; died at Reggio, Dec. 21, 1494. He was
of noble origin in Lombardy, and all his life
held high and responsible posts in the civil
government at Modena and at Reggio. His
great fame rests on the romantic epic (Orlando
in Love, which tells of the loves of Char-
lemagne's knight Roland and the fair Angelica
and the adventures connected therewith. The
epic was planned to be completed in three
books, but at the author's death only two books,
of 29 and 31 cantos respectively, were finished;
the composition of the third book had reached
only the ninth canto. Niccolò degli Agostini
wrote a continuation in 33 cantos. In point
of imagination and invention Bojardo ranks
among the greatest poets. But his versification
is far from perfect, and his language lacks
grace and purity; because of these and other
blemishes the (Orlando) was recast and pol-
ished by Francesco Berni, and with eminent
German novelist; born at Niedergailbach, Aug.
9, 1828. A Catholic theologian, and high in
favor at the papal court, his fictions, all brilliant
in style and conception, attack the Protestant
standpoint from all directions;-'A Wedding
Trip'; Queen Bertha); Barbarossa); (The
Free-Thinkers); and Historical Tales of Fred-
erick II, and his Times,' being noteworthy
examples.
Boldrewood, Rolf, pseudonym of Thomas
Alexander Browne. An Australian author:
born in England in 1827. He is a son of
Capt. Sylvester J. Browne, a founder of Vel.
bourne, Australia. He was educated in Sidney
College, and has written : (Ups and Downs :
a Story of Australian Life) (London, 1879:)
(Robbery under Arms: Life and Adventures in
the Bush) (1888); (A Squatter's Dream Story)
(1890); and “A Modern Buccaneer) (1894).
Bolingbroke, Henry St. John, Viscount. A
celebrated English statesman, orator, and au-
thor ; born at Battersea, Oct. I, 1678; died there,
Dec. 12, 1751. He entered Parliament in 1701;
became Secretary of War 1704-8, and Sec-
retary of State in 1710. In 1712 he entered the
House of Lords, and in 1713 negotiated the
Peace of Utrecht. On the accession of George
I. he fled to the Continent, and in 1715 was
attainted of treason; but in 1723 he was per
mitted to return. His chief works are: "A
Dissertation on Parties); "Letters on the Study
of History); Letters on the Spirit of Patriot-
ism); and (The Idea of a Patriot King. He
was a Deist, but taught that a statesman
should profess the doctrines of the Church of
England. He was an effective orator; but the
style of his philosophical and political works,
though polished, is heavy and declamatory.
Bolintineanu, Dimitrie (bo-lēn-tê-na-än'). A
Roumanian poet; born at Bolintina in Wallachia,
1826; died Sept. 1, 1872. He is widely known
for the beauty of the stanzas comprising his
earliest collected verse, "Songs and Plaints. "
He wrote also a successful novel, Helena,
and an epic poem, "The Trajanid, besides
Roumanian ballads and the philosophical epic
of (Manoil.
Bolles, Frank (bölz. ) An American essayist
and poet; born in Massachusetts, 1856; died
1894. He wrote: (From Blomidon to Smoky;)
(Land of the Lingering Snow,' etc. ; in verse,
(Chocorua's Tenants.
Bolton, Charles Knowles (böl'ton). An
American poet and miscellaneous writer, son
of Mrs. Sarah Knowles Bolton; born in Ohio,
1867. He is librarian of Brookline, Mass. He
has written in prose : (Gossiping Guide to
Harvard, (Saskia, the Wife of Rembrandt,
etc. ; in verse : (The Wooing of Martha Pit-
kin' Love Story of L'rsula Wolcott, etc.
Bolton, Henry Carrington. An American
scientific writer; born in New York, 1843. He
was professor of chemistry and natural science
at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. Besides
works on chemistry he has written: "The
3
success.
Bok, Edward William. An American editor
and essayist; born in Holland, 1863. He has edited
the Ladies' Home Journal, and written (The
Young Man in Business) and (Successward. "
Boker, George Henry. An American poet
and dramatist; born in Philadelphia, Pa. , Oct.
6, 1823; died there, Jan. 2, 1890. He graduated
from Princeton in 1842; studied law; and was
United States minister to Turkey in 1871-75,
and to Russia in 1875–79. His plays include:
(Calaynos) (1848); Anne Boleyn) (1850);
(Francesca di Rimini); (The Betrothed”; and
(All the World's a Mask. Collected plays and
poems (Boston, 1856). Also (Poems of the
War' (1864); (Königsmark and other Poems)
(1869); (The Book of the Dead) (1882); and
(Sonnets) (1886). *
Bolanden, Konrad von (bo'län-den), pseudo-
nym of Joseph Eduard Konrad Bischoff. A
## p. 67 (#83) ##############################################
BOLTON – BORNEIL
67
Counting-Out Rhymes of Children, a Study in
Folk-Lore) (1888): Literature of Manganese );
and Students' Guide in Quantitative Analysis. '
Bolton, Sarah Knowles. An American au-
thor; born in Farmington, Conn. , Sept. 15, 1841.
She married Charles E. Bolton, a merchant
and philanthropist, and resides in Cleveland,
0. She is the author of a number of books, in
cluding : Girls who Became Famous) (1886);
(Famous American Authors) 1887); (Famous
American Statesmen (1888); (Famous Types of
Womanhood) (1892); etc.
Bolton, Sarah Tittle. An American poet;
born in Newport, Ky. , Dec. 18, 1815; died in
Indianapolis, Ind. , Aug. 4, 1893. She is known
for her patriotic and war poems, including:
Paddle Your Own Canoe); Left on the Bat-
tlefield); etc. (Poems) (New York, 1865; In-
dianapolis, 1886).
Bonacci-Brunamonti, Maria Alinda (bo-
nä'che-brö-nä-mon'tē). An Italian poet; born
in Perugia, 1842. She was only fourteen years
old when her first Collection of Poems) ap-
peared and attracted much attention. Her
National Songs) (1859-78) were inspired by
Italy's struggle for freedom.
Bonar, Horatius (bon'är). A celebrated
Scotch hymnist; born in Edinburgh, Dec. 19,
1808; died July 31, 1889. He wrote Hymns
of Faith and Hope,' many of which have been
taken into the hymnals of most of the Prot-
estant churches. He also wrote more than 20
volumes on theological and religious subjects.
Bonaventura, Saint (bā''nä-ven-to'rä). An
Italian theologian and scholar; born at Ba-
gnarea, 1221; died 1274. His real name was
Giovanni di Fidenza. His writings include:
"Life of Saint Francis); 'Progress of the Mind
towards God”; “Breviloquium'; and many ser-
mons and treatises on theological subjects. *
Bonavino, Cristoforo. See Franchi.
Bondi, Clemente (bon'dē). An Italian poet;
born near Parma, June 27, 1742; died at Vienna,
June 20, 1821. At the suppression of the Com-
pany of Jesus, he, though a Jesuit, lauded that
act in a poem and had to flee his country.
While yet a member of the Jesuit order he
wrote a spirited humorous poem, "Rural Days)
(1773), in three cantos, descriptive of the pranks
and sports of a band of students.
Boner, John Henry. An American poet and
literary worker; born at Salem, N. C. , Jan. 31,
1845. A contributor to the magazines, he was
on the editorial staff of the Century Diction-
ary) and the (Standard Dictionary,' and was
once literary editor of the New York World.
He has written "Whispering Pines) (1883), a
volume of verse.
Bonghi, Ruggero (bon'ge). An Italian
scholar and controversial writer; born in Na-
ples, March 21, 1826. The commencement of
his brilliant career indicated scholarly activi-
ties only, for he made fine studies and versions
of Aristotle and Plato; but latterly he has
taken up such subjects as "The Financial His-
tory of Italy, 1864-88) (1868); “The Life and
Times of Valentino Pasini) (1867); and (The
Life of Jesus) (1890); the popularity and value
of these and other works giving him great
prominence.
Boniface. See Saintine.
Bonnechose, Émile Boisnormand de (bôn-
shoz'). A French poet and historian (1801-75);
born at Leyerdorp in Holland. His one nota-
ble poetical composition is (The Death of
Bailly) (1833). Besides a (History of France)
he is author of: (Reformers before the 16th-
Century Reformation) (1844); (The Four Con-
quests of England) (2 vols. , 1851); (History of
England (4 vols. , 1859).
Bonnières, Robert de (bôn-vār'). A French
journalist and novelist; born at Paris, April
7, 1850. He commenced his literary career as
contributor to Paris journals of spirited but
waspish biographs of contemporary men: these
were collected and published in three succes-
sive volumes of Memoirs of To-day. His
novels are full of transparent allusions to noted
persons, and have had a very great vogue. In
one of them, “The Monarch, he portrays high
Jewish society in Paris.
Booth, Mary Louise. An American writer;
born in Yaphank, L. I. , April 19, 1831 ; died in
New York city, March 5, 1889. She was editor
of Harper's Bazar from 1867 until her death ;
translated many novels and histories, including
Gasparin's (Uprising of a Great People, and
H. Martin's (History of France) (6 vols. , 1880).
Borel, Pétrus (bo-rel'). [Properly Pierre
Borel d'Hauterive. ] A French journalist and
author; born in Lyons, June 28, 1809; died in
Algeria, July 14, 1859. His character was ec-
centric: he surnamed himself the «Were-
wolf, and his writings both prose and verse
were romantic and bizarre. They include:
(Rhapsodies,' poems (Paris, 1831); "Champa-
vert, stories (1833); and (Madam Potiphar, a
novel (2 vols. , 1839).
Börne, Ludwig (bėr'ne). An eminent Ger-
man political writer; born at Frankfort-on-the
Main, of Jewish parents, May 6, 1786; died at
Paris, Feb.
