An American
historian
;
born in Boston, Mass.
born in Boston, Mass.
Warner - World's Best Literature - v29 - BIographical Dictionary
25, 1844.
Son of the following, and since 1891 editor of
the London Sunday Times; he has written sey-
eral comedies, including (About Town) and
(Long Ago. His Papers from Pump-handle
Court) were a feature in Punch, whose staff he
joined in 1874.
A Beckett, Gilbert Abbott. An English
humorist (1811-56). An original founder of
Punch (1841), and author of the Comic Black-
stone, one of the cleverest burlesques in the
language (London, 1845); he also published a
(Comic History of England) (1848); Quizzi-
ology of the British Drama) (1846), and more
than 50 plays, some of which still keep the
stage.
À Becket, Thomas. See Thomas.
Abélard, Pierre (ä-bā-lär'). A noted French
scholastic philosopher and theologian; born
near Nantes, 1079; died April 21, 1142. Lect-
uring on theology, he attracted students from
all parts of Europe. Several of his disciples
afterward became famous; for example, Pope
Celestin II. , Peter Lombard, Berengarius, and
Arnold of Brescia. The story of his romantic
and tragic love for Héloise is told in his
(Story of My Misfortunes); in her first Let-
ter) to him on receipt of the Story); and in
the two (Letters) from her that followed. The
poets have taken the loves of this unfortunate
pair as the theme of their elegies in every
age since the death of the lovers. *
Abonyi, Lajos (ob'on-yē). A Hungarian
novelist; born Jan. 9, 1833. His subjects are
taken from popular life and national history:
(Tales by the Fireside); (The Poor Lad's
Cloth); (The Widow's Cow); Lena's In-
heritance. )
About, Edmond (ä-bö'). A distinguished
French novelist ; born in Dieuze, Lorraine, Feb.
14, 1828; died in Paris, Jan. 17, 1885. One of
the few younger authors of note who adhered
to the second empire, he enjoyed the special
favor of Napoleon III. , and in 1870 accompanied
the army of Marshal MacMahon as reporter
for Le Soir. In that paper, after the war,
and from 1875 as editor-in-chief of the XIX.
Siècle, he was the champion of the moderate
republicans. He was elected a member of the
Academy in 1884. Among his best works are:
(Contemporaneous Greece) (1854); "Tolla
Féraldi? (1855); 'The King of the Mountains)
(1856); (The Marriages of Paris) (6 tales,
1856); (The Man with the Broken Ear) (1861);
(A Notary's Nose) (1862); Madelon) (1863);
(The Infamous One) (1866–69); (Romance of
a Good Man) (1880), directed against Zola
and his school ; (The Roman Question) (1859),
a political treatise. *
Abraham a Sancta-Clara (ä'brä-hämä
sänk'tä-klä'rä). A celebrated German puly
orator and satirist; born at Krähenheinstetten,
Baden, July 4, 1644; died in Vienna, Dec. 1,
1709. His family name was Megerle. He was
appointed preacher to the imperial court, 1669,
and thereafter was one of the celebrities of
Vienna. His sermons were characterized by
force, broad humor, and impartial denunciation
of the follies of all classes, but especially of
the courtiers. A good specimen of his man-
ner, both in its elevation of thought and in its
grotesqueness, is seen in his Judas the Arch-
Knave) (1686-95).
Abraham ben Meir ibn Ezra (ā'bra-ham
ben mā-ēr' 'b'n ez'ra). A noted Jewish-Arabic
poet and scholar; born at Toledo, Spain, 1092;
died, 1167. He wrote 150 liturgical poems
which are still used in the Jewish worship,
besides works on Hebrew grammar and philos-
ophy, a treatise on chess, (Sefer Moznaïm,' a
(Book of Weights, etc. He was one of the
earliest Biblical critics.
Abrányi, Emil (o'brän-yē). A Hungarian
poet; born in Buda-Pesth, 1851. Brother of the
following. He is a representative of the cos-
mopolitan tendency in poetry, his verse being
## p. 3 (#19) ###############################################
ABRÁNYI - ACUÑA DE FIGUEROA
3
published under the collective title (Home of
Freedom) (1888). He translated into Hunga-
rian, Byron's Manfred' and (Don Juan. )
Abrányi, Kornel (oʻbrän-yē). A Hunga-
rian poet, novelist, and publicist; born in Buda-
Pesth, Dec. 31, 1849. As a member of the
Hungarian Diet and as editor of the Pesti
Naplo, he is an important political figure in
Hungary. His poems are mainly of a political
tendency, and his novels deal with the prob-
lem of matrimony. (The Infallible, a comedy,
and the fictions (The Husband's Philosophy);
(Who Is the Stronger ? ); (The Only Remedy
against Deceit,' are best known.
Abulfaraj (ä'böl-fä-räj') or Abulfaragius
(ab'ul-fa-rå'ji-us). A Syriac and Arabic writer;
born at Malatia, Armenia, 1226; died at Mara-
gha, Persia, 1286. His full name was Gregory
Abulſaraj ibn al Harun; his father was a Jew.
Of numerous writings, the best now known
are a universal history in Syriac from the time
of Adam down to his own date, and an auto-
biography.
Abulfeda, Ismail ibn Ali (ä-böl-fā'dä). A
celebrated Arabian historian and scholar (1273-
1331). Prince of Hamah, and patron of men of
letters. He compiled an abridged History of
the Human Race, portions of which have been
translated into Latin and published under the
tities of Moslem Annals, etc.
Abu-Nuvas (ä'bö-nö'vas). An Arabic poet;
died 815. He fourished at the court of the
caliphs of Bagdad, writing, in the style of Anac-
reon, some of the most notable songs of love
and wine in all Arabic literature.
Accius or Attius, Lucius (ak'shi-us). A
Latin tragic poet; born about 170 B. C. He
took most of his themes from Grecian history
and mythology; but in some instances he dram-
atized scenes from the history of Rome, for
example, in his tragedy of Brutus '; but only
fragments of his works remain.
Accolti, Bernardo (äk-kõl'te). An Italian
poet ( 1465-1535). Greatly admired by his con-
temporaries, especially for his brilliant gift as an
improviser, he was styled “The Only (one) of
Arezzo » (L'Unico Aretino). Leo X. esteemed
him highly, and made him apostolic secretary,
cardinal, and papal legate at Ancona. He
drew up the Papal Bull against Luther (1520).
Achard, Louis Amédée (äsh-är'). A French
novelist and publicist (1814-75). Originally a
merchant, he became a contributor to several
papers in Paris in 1838. After the revolution
of 1848 he was for a time active as a political
writer in support of the royalist cause. From
1848 to 1872 the Revue des Deux Mondes
brought out a new story from his pen almost
every year. He depicts pre-eminently conflicts
in family life and society. (Parisian Letters)
(1838, under the pseudonym "Grimm ») made
his reputation; his other works are: Belle
Rose) (1847); “The Royal Chase) (1849-50);
(Castles in Spain) (1854), a collection of
stories; (The Shirt of Nessus) (1855); etc.
Achilles Tatius (a-kil'ez tā'shi-us). A Greek
writer of romances; born at Alexandria; four-
ished in the 5th century of our era. He
wrote (The Loves of Clitophon and Leu-
cippe,' an erotic story in forid style, and
without much regard to unity or consistency
of plot. That the story was very popular in
its day is proved by the number of copies of
it that are still in MS. An English transla-
tion by Anthony Hodges was published in
1638.
Achsharúmov, Nikoléï Dmitriyevich (äch-
shä-rö'mõf). A Russian novelist and critic;
born in St. Petersburg, Dec. 15, 1819. Among
his successful novels are: (The Double)
(1850); (The Gambler); (The False Name);
(An Unusual Case); and (The Model. ? As
a critic he attracted attention by his com-
ments on the writings of Herbert Spencer,
Tolstoy, Turgeniev, Dostoievski, etc.
Ackermann, Louise Victorine (äk'er-män).
A French poet; born in Paris, Nov. 30, 1813;
died near Nice, Aug. 3, 1890. Maiden name
Choquet. Her philological studies took her to
Berlin, where she married the theologian Paul
Ackermann. After his death in 1846 she lived
in retirement in an old convent near Nice.
Her poems are for the most part pessimistic
but passionate. Principal works: (Tales in
Verse) (1855), chiefly Oriental and Ancient
Greek subjects; (Tales and Poems) (1863);
(Philosophical Poems) (1872); «Thoughts of a
Lonely Woman) (1883).
Aclocque, Charles Paul Jacques (äk-lok').
A French novelist and journalist; born in
1832. He was a frequent contributor to the
Parisian journals and the author of several
romances. His best-known works are: Bre-
ton Legends) (1862); "Contraband Love)
(1866); (Love by Double Entry) (1868). In
collaboration with his brother he has written
(The Eccentric Huntsmen) (1876) and other
works.
Acosta, José d' (ä-kos'tä). A Spanish Jesuit
historian; born at Medina del Campo, Old Cas-
tile, 1540; died at Salamanca, Feb. 15, 1600.
Besides various theological works, he wrote
(Natural and Moral History of the Indies)
(1590), which was translated into several Euro-
pean languages. He visited Peru and Rome,
resided for some time in Mexico, and was head
of the Jesuits' College at Valladolid and of
the college at Salamanca.
Acuña, Manuel (ä-kön'yä). A Mexican poet
(1849-73), the principal theme of whose poems
was disappointed love, which is said to have
induced him to die by his own hand.
Acuñia de Figueroa, Francisco (ä-kön'yä
dė fë-gā-rõ'ä). A Uruguayan poet ; born at
Montevideo, in 1791 ; died there, Oct. 6, 1862.
His works are, in the best sense, a classic in
Spanish-American literature, owing to the per-
fection of his verse in the collection styled
(Poetic Mosaic, which comprises odes, satires,
epigrams, heroic poems, and even Biblical
## p. 4 (#20) ###############################################
4
ADAM — ADAMS
(
(
hymns and psalms. In most respects Aawless
as metrical compositions, these pieces have
been criticized as wanting in the ardor usually
associated with the southern temperament. A
diary in verse, called “The Siege of Monte-
video,' contains many fine passages.
Adam, Juliette. See Lamber.
Adam de la Hale (ä-don' de lä äl). A French
poet and composer; born at Arras, about
1235; died at Naples, about 1287. Nicknamed
the Hunchback of Arras, although he was not
deformed. His satirical extravaganza, (The
Play of Adam, or The Play in the Arbor)
(1262), constitutes the earliest comedy in the
vulgar tongue; while the pastoral drama (The
Play of Robin and of Marion may be looked
upon as the earliest specimen of comic opera.
Adami, Friedrich (ä-dä'mē). A German
author; born at Suhl, Oct. 18, 1816; died in
Berlin, Aug. 5, 1893. Besides numerous dra-
matic pieces, prologues, stories, and short nov-
els, he wrote a very popular biography of
(Louise, Queen of Prussia' (13th ed. , 1890) and
(The Book of Emperor William (1887-90).
Adams, Abigail. Wife of John Adams,
second President of the United States; born
at Weymouth, Mass. , Nov. 23, 1744; died at
Quincy, Mass. , Oct. 28, 1818. Her letters, con-
tained in Familiar Letters of John Adams
and his Wife Abigail Adams, during the Rev-
olution,' evince keen political sagacity, and
throw valuable light upon the men and the
public affairs of the time. *
Adams, Bertha Leith (Mrs. Laffan). An
English novelist; her first work, Mabel Mere-
dith's Love Story,' was published in All the
Year Round. This was followed in 1877 by
"Winstowe, Madelon Lemoine, and (Aunt
Hepsy's Foundling,' the last being her best-
known work.
Adams, Brooks. An American essayist and
politician; born at Quincy, Mass. , 1848. He
is the son of Charles Francis Adams, and a
lawyer by profession. Besides contributions to
magazines, he has written (The Emancipation
of Massachusetts) (1887) and (The Law of
Civilization and Decay.
Adams, Charles. An American historical
and religious writer; born in New Hampshire
in 1808; died in 1890. He was a Methodist
clergyman. Among his numerous works are :
Evangelism in the Middle of the 19th Cen-
tury) (1851); (Women of the Bible) (1851);
Life of Cromwell (1867); (The Earth and
its Wonders) (1869); Life Sketches of Mac-
aulay) (1880).
Adams, Charles Follen. An American dia.
lect poet; born at Dorchester, Mass. , April 21,
1842. Published Leedle Yawcob Strauss and
Other Poems) (1878); (Dialect Ballads) (1887).
Adams, Charles Francis. An eminent
American statesman, publicist, and miscella-
neous writer; born at Boston, Aug. 18, 1807;
died at Boston, Nov. 21, 1886. He was candi-
date for Vice-President in 1848, twice elected to
Congress, was minister to England from 1861
to 1868, and member of the Geneva Arbitra.
tion Commission of 1871. His chief literary
work was Life and Works of John Adams)
(10 vols. , 1850-56), his grandfather. He also
edited the writings of his father, John Quincy
Adams.
Adams, Charles Francis (Jr. ). A prominent
American publicist, lawyer, and politician; born
at Boston, May 27, 1835. He served in the Union
army during the Civil War. Besides notable
articles in the North American Review on rail-
road management, he has published: (Chapters
of Erie) (1871); (Three Episodes of Massachu-
setts History) (1892); (Essays on Educational
Topics (1879). He was for several years pres-
ident of the Union Pacific Railway, but resigned
in 1890.
Adams, Charles Kendall. An American
historian and educator ; born at Derby, Vt. ,
Jan. 24, 1835. He became president of Cornell
University (1885), of the American Historical
Association (1890), of the University of Wis-
consin (1892). He wrote: Democracy and
Monarchy in France) (1872); Christopher
Columbus, His Life and Work) (1892); be.
sides many valuable papers on historical and
educational topics in reviews.
Adams, Francis Colburn. An American
writer; prominent in the South about the time
of the Civil War.
He was
a resident of
Charleston, S. C. , and wrote extensively under
several pseudonyms. Among his works are:
(Manuel Pereira, or the Sovereign Rule
of South Carolina? (1853); (Uncle Tom at
Home) (1853); Life and Adventures of Ma.
jor Potter) (1858); (An Outcast, a Novel)
(1861); (The Story of a Trooper' (1865); “The
Von Toodleburgs) (1868).
Adams, George Burton. An American his-
torical writer ; born in Vermont in 1851. He
is a professor of history at Yale University.
He is the author of Civilization during the
Middle Ages) (1883) and “The Growth of the
French Nation.
Adams, Hannah. An American literary pio-
neer; born at Medfield, Mass. , 1755; died at
Brookline, Mass. , Nov. 15, 1832. Her principal
works were : an Autobiography); History of
New England) (1799); (History of the Jews)
(1812); besides several writings on topics con-
nected with religion.
Adams, Henry.
An American historian ;
born in Boston, Mass. , Feb. 16, 1838; grand-
son of J. Q. Adams. He was for some time
editor of the North American Review, and
professor of history in Harvard College. He
wrote biographies of eminent public men: “The
Life of Albert Gallatin (1879); (John Ran-
dolph) (1882); — and studies of particular epi-
sodes of American history : Documents Relat-
ing to New England Federalism) (1877). His
principal work is the History of the United
States from 1801 to 1817,' which constitutes an
authoritative history of that period. *
## p. 5 (#21) ###############################################
ADAMS-ADE
5
4, 1826.
Adams, Henry Carter. An American writer
on political economy; born at Davenport, Iowa,
Dec. 31, 1852. He has been instructor at Iowa
and Cornell Universities, and is now professor
in the University of Michigan. At one time
he was statistician to the Interstate Commerce
Commission. His chief works are: (Taxation
in the United States, 1789-1816) (1884); Public
Debts) (1887).
Adams, Herbert Baxter. An American his-
torian; born near Amherst, Mass. , April 16,
1850. After a course of study at Amherst,
Heidelberg, and Berlin, he was appointed in-
structor in history at Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity, and is now professor there. He is the ed-
itor of Johns Hopkins University Studies in
Historical and Political Science, and author
of (The Study of History in American Col.
leges and Universities) and Jefferson and
Higher Education in Virginia.
Adams, John. An eminent American
statesman and publicist ; second President of
the United States; born at Braintree (now
Quincy), Mass. , Oct. 19, 1735; died there, July
In the days preceding the outbreak
of the Revolution, he frequently defended in
the public prints the right of the colonies to
throw off the English yoke. His most im-
portant contribution to the literature of the
science of government is his Defence of the
Constitution and Government of the United
States) (1787). The Familiar Letters of John
Adams and his wife are of great value for the
history of the American Revolution. *
Adams, John Quincy. An American
statesman and publicist; sixth President of
the United States; born at Braintree, Mass. ,
July 11, 1767; died in Washington, D. C. , Feb.
21, 1848.
Before he reached the Presidency
he had served as his country's representative
in England, France, Prussia, and Holland ; in
his youth, too, he had accompanied his father,
John Adams, when he was American minister
at London. He was a frequent contributor to
the press, of articles on political topics. He
translated Wieland's (Oberon) into English
(1797); published Letters on Silesia) (1803).
The Diary of J. Q. Adams,) with his (Me-
moirs,' in 12 vols. , was published in 1874-77,
edited by his son.
Adams, Myron. An American clergyman
and writer, a native of New York State ; born
in 1841; died in December 1895. He was pas-
tor of a Congregational church in Rochester,
N. Y. His chief works are: (The Creation
of the Bible); (The Continuous Creation, an
Application of the Evolutionary Philosophy to
the Christian Religion.
Adams, Nehemiah. An American clergy-
man and author; born in Salem, Mass. , Feb.
19, 1806; died in Boston, Mass. , Oct. 6, 1878.
He will be chiefly remembered as the author
of a work entitled (A South Side View of
Slavery) (1854), which was severely criticized
by the antislavery
Among his other
publications are : (Under the Mizzenmast)
(1871); “Walks to Emmaüs) (1879); (Remarks
on Unitarian Belief); (Life of John Eliot.
Adams, Oscar Fay. An American com-
piler and miscellaneous writer of the present
day. Besides various compilations, including
a Dictionary of American Authors) (1897), he
has written : Dear Old Story-Tellers) (1889);
(The Story of Jane Austen's Life) (1891); (The
Presumption of Sex, and Other Papers) (1892).
Adams, Sarah Flower. An English hymn-
writer; born at Great Harlow, Essex, Feb. 22,
1805; died August 1848. In 1834 she was mar-
ried to William Bridges Adams, a noted in-
ventor. She was the author of Vivia Per-
petua, a dramatic poem (London, 1841); and
of many lyrics and hymns, the most popular
of which is Nearer, My God, to Thee)
(1860). *
Adams, William. A prominent American
clergyman and religious writer; born at Col-
chester, Conn. , Jan. 25, 1807; died at Orange
Mountain, N. J. , Aug. 31, 1880. He was long
pastor of the Madison Square Presbyterian
Church, New York, and was president of the
Union Theological Seminary in New York city
from 1873 to 1880. Among his publications
are : (In the World, not of the World) (1866);
(The Three Gardens) (1867); (Conversations of
Jesus Christ with Representative Men (1868).
Adams, William Davenport. An English
journalist and critic; born in 1851. He has
published: (A Dictionary of English Litera-
ture) (1878); “The Witty and Humorous Side
of the English Poets) (1880); By-Ways in
Bookland) (1888); (A Book of Burlesque)
(1891); (With Poet and Player) (1891).
Adams, William Taylor. See Optic, Oliver.
Addison, Joseph. A celebrated English
essayist and poet; born at Milston, Wiltshire,
May I, 1672; died in London, June 17, 1719.
He was educated at Oxford. He was Under-
Secretary of State in 1706, and in 1709 secre-
tary to Wharton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland,
where he formed a friendship with Swift. In
1716 he married the Countess of Warwick; in
1717 was appointed Secretary of State, but re-
signed in 1718. He wrote 41 original papers
in the Tatler, and 34 with Steele; 274 in the
Spectator, embodying his famous creation, the
character of Sir Roger de Coverley ; 51 essays
in the Guardian, which succeeded the Spec-
tator; 24 to a revived Spectator, and 2 to
Steele's Lover. His tragedy (Cato' was acted
at Drury Lane in 1713; although it is weak
and incongruous, it was greatly admired and
variously translated. Besides Latin poems, oc-
casional addresses, and political essays, the fol-
lowing works deserve mention : "Letter from
Italy, a poem (1703); (The Campaign,' a
poem on the battle of Blenheim (1704); (Re-
marks on Several Parts of Italy) (1705); (Fair
Rosamond,' an opera (1707). *
Ade, George. An American journalist and
author ; born in Illinois in 1866. He has pub-
lished: (Artie, a Story of the Streets and
Town'; 'Pink Marsh' (1897), a dialect story.
## p. 6 (#22) ###############################################
6
ADELUNG -- AGASSIZ
Adelung, Johann Christoph (ä'de-löng). An
eminent German philologist and lexicographer ;
born at Spantekow, Aug. 8, 1732; died in
Dresden, Sept. 10, 1806. His life was devoted
to an exhaustive investigation of his native
language, which he traced to its remotest
origins with a patience and a thoroughness that
have remained unsurpassed, the principal result
being (A Grammatical and Critical Dictionary
of the High German Tongue. Science is
further indebted to him for (Mithridates, or
Universal Language Lore, in which all living
tongues are directly or indirectly represented ;
and for a series of text-books that are still
authoritative, and to all appearances will long
continue so.
Adenet Le Roi (äd-nā' lé-rwä'). French
troubadour of the 13th century, whose surname
is interpreted as meaning king (leader) of the
minstrels, which function he performed at the
court of Henri III. , Duke of Brabant. His
work consists of remodelings of three famous
Chansons de Gestes and of the romance of
adventure, Cleomades,' his last and most im-
portant effort.
Adler, Felix (ä'dler). An American lecturer
and scholar; born at Alzey, Germany, 1851.
The son of an eminent Jewish rabbi, he emi.
grated when young to the United States, where
and at Berlin and Heidelberg he was educated.
After being for some time professor at Cornell
University, he founded in New York (1876) the
Society of Ethical Culture, of which he is
lecturer. Similar societies have been estab-
lished elsewhere in the United States and in
other countries. He is an effective writer and
speaker. He has published : 'Creed and Deed)
(1878); (The Moral Instruction of Children)
(1892).
Adler, Hermann (ä'dler). A German writer;
born in Hanover, May 29, 1839. He has lived
most of his life in England, where he has held
many positions of high trust connected with
his race, having been since 1891 chief rabbi of
the British empire, and has been active in gen-
eral benevolence. Besides sermons, lectures,
etc. , he has written : ( The Jews in England);
( The Chief Rabbis of England); (Ibn Gabirol,
the Poet Philosopher, etc.
Adlersfeld, Eufemia von. See Ballestrem.
Adolphus, John. An English historical and
miscellaneous writer; born Aug. 7, 1768; died
July 16, 1845. He was admitted an attorney
in 1790, but after a few years abandoned his
profession and devoted himself to literature.
His principal work is a History of England
from the Accession of George III. to the
Conclusion of Peace in 1783' (1802).
Ælianus, Claudius (ē-li-ā'nus). A Roman
sophist who flourished in the first half of the
second century. Of his works, written in Greek,
three are extant: Peasants' Letters,' pur-
porting to be written by peasants in Attica;
(Various Histories, or narratives, in 14 books;
(Of the Nature of Animals,' anecdotes of ani.
mals. *
Æschines (es'ki-nēz). A great Athenian
orator (389-314 B. C. ), rival of Demosthenes.
Only three of his (Orations have come down
to our time. He was specially brilliant in his
extemporaneous efforts. In his more studied
orations his great merit was the clearness and
fullness of the narrative part. *
Æschylus (es'ki-lus). The greatest of the
Greek dramatists; born at Eleusis, Attica, 525
B. C. ; died at Gela, Sicily, 456 B. C. Of his
very numerous works (72 or even 90 dramas),
seven tragedies only remain: The Suppli-
ants,' one of his earliest productions; (The
Persians, founded on the contemporary tri-
umph of Greece over the invading Persian
hosts; (The Seven against Thebes,' the only
extant member of a tetralogy, the other members
of which were (Laius, ((Edipus,' and (The
Sphinx. ) The grand tragedy, Prometheus
Bound, is the sole survivor of a trilogy, the
other two members of which were Prometheus
the Fire-Bearer) and (Prometheus Loosed. In
portrayal of grandeur of action and sublimity
of heroic character, the Prometheus) is almost
without an equal in the history of dramatic lit-
erature. The remaining three tragedies, 'Aga-
memnon, (Choephori,' and Eumenides,' are
specially precious, constituting the only com-
plete trilogy that is extant from any ancient
Greek tragic poet. *
Æsop (c'sop). A Greek fabulist who lived
in the 7th century B. C. According to tradi-
tion, he was a captive of war and for part
of his life a slave. Many of his fables have
been traced to Egyptian and Indian sources.
Socrates, during his imprisonment, put into
verse a portion of the Æsopian fables. A more
complete collection of them was by Babrius, a
Greek fabulist. In the lapse of time what
might be called the Æsopian canon was much
obscured, and spurious fables were incorporated
into it. *
Afzelius, Arvid August (äf-tsā'li-ös). A
Swedish writer and poet (1785-1871), esteemed
particularly for his researches in old Norse
history and literature; translated the poetical
Edda, and with Geijer edited a famous collec-
tion of old Swedish folksongs (Stockholm, 1814-
17, 3 vols. ). As a poet he is best known by his
(Romances.
Ágai, Adolf (ä'goy). A Hungarian humor-
ist; born 1836. Editor of Borzsem Jankó (John
Peppercorn), the best Hungarian comic paper.
His sketches from society, character draw-
ings of national types, and personal reminis-
cences, constitute a rare mine of witty ideas
and sound humor, clothed in brilliant lan-
guage.
Agassiz, Alexander (ä-gä-sē'). An Amer-
ican zoologist and geologist, son of J. L. R.
Agassiz; born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Dec.
17, 1835. He came to this country with his
father in 1849; graduated from Harvard in
1855; and received the degree of B. S. from
the Lawrence Scientific School in 1857. In
1859 he went to California as assistant on the
## p. 7 (#23) ###############################################
AGASSIZ - AÏDÉ
7
:
United States Coast Survey. From 1860 to
1865 he was assistant curator of the Museum
of Comparative Zoology at Harvard Univer-
sity; and from 1866 to 1869, superintendent of
the Calumet and Hecla mines, Lake Superior.
On the death of his father in 1873, he was ap-
pointed curator of the Museum of Comparative
Zoology, holding that position until he resigned
in 1885. His chief works are : "List of Echino-
derms (1863); Exploration of Lake Titicaca)
(1875-76); (Three Cruises of the Blake, a Con-
tribution to American Thalassography) (1880).
Agassiz, Mrs. Elizabeth (Cary). An Ameri-
can scientific writer, wife of J. L. R. Agassiz;
born in Massachusetts in 1822. She is part
author, with Alexander Agassiz, of (Seaside
Studies in Natural History) (1865); (Marine
Animals of Massachusetts Bay) (1871). She
also wrote a life of her husband.
Agassiz, Jean Louis Rodolphe. An eminent
Swiss naturalist; born at Motier, Switzerland,
May 28, 1807; died at Cambridge, Mass. , Dec.
14, 1873. He studied medicine and comparative
anatomy in the universities of Zürich, Heidel-
berg, and Munich. He gave many years to
study of fossil fishes, and his first great work
bore that title (1834). His next special re-
searches were directed toward the explanation
of glaciers, and he published (Studies of Gla-
ciers) (1844). In 1846 he made a lecturing tour
of the United States, and in 1848 became pro-
fessor of geology at Harvard, and in 1859 cu-
rator of the Museum of Comparative Zoology.
His contributions to the development of the
facts and principles of natural science in his
special departments are very numerous and of
highest authority. Chief among his works writ-
ten in English are: Principles of Zoology);
(The Structure of Animal Life); (Scientific
Results of a Journey in Brazil. *
Agathias (a-gā'thi-as). A Greek poet and
historian; about 536-581. He collected a'Cycle)
of contemporary poems, in which were a few
of his own composition. We have still 101 of
his Epigrams, and the whole of his ( History)
of the years 553-558. *
Agathon (ag'a-thon). A Greek tragic poet
(418-402 B. C. ). He was a close friend of Eurip-
ides and of Plato; and the famous (Sympo-
sium of Plato immortalizes the banquet given
on the occasion of Agathon's dramatic triumph,
416 B. C.
Agoult, Countess d’. See Stern, Daniel.
Agrippa, Heinrich Cornelius (a-grip'ä). A
German philosopher (1486-1535); born at Co-
logne. He was of all professions in turn,-
university professor, soldier, magistrate, physi-
cian, court historiographer to Charles V.
Son of the following, and since 1891 editor of
the London Sunday Times; he has written sey-
eral comedies, including (About Town) and
(Long Ago. His Papers from Pump-handle
Court) were a feature in Punch, whose staff he
joined in 1874.
A Beckett, Gilbert Abbott. An English
humorist (1811-56). An original founder of
Punch (1841), and author of the Comic Black-
stone, one of the cleverest burlesques in the
language (London, 1845); he also published a
(Comic History of England) (1848); Quizzi-
ology of the British Drama) (1846), and more
than 50 plays, some of which still keep the
stage.
À Becket, Thomas. See Thomas.
Abélard, Pierre (ä-bā-lär'). A noted French
scholastic philosopher and theologian; born
near Nantes, 1079; died April 21, 1142. Lect-
uring on theology, he attracted students from
all parts of Europe. Several of his disciples
afterward became famous; for example, Pope
Celestin II. , Peter Lombard, Berengarius, and
Arnold of Brescia. The story of his romantic
and tragic love for Héloise is told in his
(Story of My Misfortunes); in her first Let-
ter) to him on receipt of the Story); and in
the two (Letters) from her that followed. The
poets have taken the loves of this unfortunate
pair as the theme of their elegies in every
age since the death of the lovers. *
Abonyi, Lajos (ob'on-yē). A Hungarian
novelist; born Jan. 9, 1833. His subjects are
taken from popular life and national history:
(Tales by the Fireside); (The Poor Lad's
Cloth); (The Widow's Cow); Lena's In-
heritance. )
About, Edmond (ä-bö'). A distinguished
French novelist ; born in Dieuze, Lorraine, Feb.
14, 1828; died in Paris, Jan. 17, 1885. One of
the few younger authors of note who adhered
to the second empire, he enjoyed the special
favor of Napoleon III. , and in 1870 accompanied
the army of Marshal MacMahon as reporter
for Le Soir. In that paper, after the war,
and from 1875 as editor-in-chief of the XIX.
Siècle, he was the champion of the moderate
republicans. He was elected a member of the
Academy in 1884. Among his best works are:
(Contemporaneous Greece) (1854); "Tolla
Féraldi? (1855); 'The King of the Mountains)
(1856); (The Marriages of Paris) (6 tales,
1856); (The Man with the Broken Ear) (1861);
(A Notary's Nose) (1862); Madelon) (1863);
(The Infamous One) (1866–69); (Romance of
a Good Man) (1880), directed against Zola
and his school ; (The Roman Question) (1859),
a political treatise. *
Abraham a Sancta-Clara (ä'brä-hämä
sänk'tä-klä'rä). A celebrated German puly
orator and satirist; born at Krähenheinstetten,
Baden, July 4, 1644; died in Vienna, Dec. 1,
1709. His family name was Megerle. He was
appointed preacher to the imperial court, 1669,
and thereafter was one of the celebrities of
Vienna. His sermons were characterized by
force, broad humor, and impartial denunciation
of the follies of all classes, but especially of
the courtiers. A good specimen of his man-
ner, both in its elevation of thought and in its
grotesqueness, is seen in his Judas the Arch-
Knave) (1686-95).
Abraham ben Meir ibn Ezra (ā'bra-ham
ben mā-ēr' 'b'n ez'ra). A noted Jewish-Arabic
poet and scholar; born at Toledo, Spain, 1092;
died, 1167. He wrote 150 liturgical poems
which are still used in the Jewish worship,
besides works on Hebrew grammar and philos-
ophy, a treatise on chess, (Sefer Moznaïm,' a
(Book of Weights, etc. He was one of the
earliest Biblical critics.
Abrányi, Emil (o'brän-yē). A Hungarian
poet; born in Buda-Pesth, 1851. Brother of the
following. He is a representative of the cos-
mopolitan tendency in poetry, his verse being
## p. 3 (#19) ###############################################
ABRÁNYI - ACUÑA DE FIGUEROA
3
published under the collective title (Home of
Freedom) (1888). He translated into Hunga-
rian, Byron's Manfred' and (Don Juan. )
Abrányi, Kornel (oʻbrän-yē). A Hunga-
rian poet, novelist, and publicist; born in Buda-
Pesth, Dec. 31, 1849. As a member of the
Hungarian Diet and as editor of the Pesti
Naplo, he is an important political figure in
Hungary. His poems are mainly of a political
tendency, and his novels deal with the prob-
lem of matrimony. (The Infallible, a comedy,
and the fictions (The Husband's Philosophy);
(Who Is the Stronger ? ); (The Only Remedy
against Deceit,' are best known.
Abulfaraj (ä'böl-fä-räj') or Abulfaragius
(ab'ul-fa-rå'ji-us). A Syriac and Arabic writer;
born at Malatia, Armenia, 1226; died at Mara-
gha, Persia, 1286. His full name was Gregory
Abulſaraj ibn al Harun; his father was a Jew.
Of numerous writings, the best now known
are a universal history in Syriac from the time
of Adam down to his own date, and an auto-
biography.
Abulfeda, Ismail ibn Ali (ä-böl-fā'dä). A
celebrated Arabian historian and scholar (1273-
1331). Prince of Hamah, and patron of men of
letters. He compiled an abridged History of
the Human Race, portions of which have been
translated into Latin and published under the
tities of Moslem Annals, etc.
Abu-Nuvas (ä'bö-nö'vas). An Arabic poet;
died 815. He fourished at the court of the
caliphs of Bagdad, writing, in the style of Anac-
reon, some of the most notable songs of love
and wine in all Arabic literature.
Accius or Attius, Lucius (ak'shi-us). A
Latin tragic poet; born about 170 B. C. He
took most of his themes from Grecian history
and mythology; but in some instances he dram-
atized scenes from the history of Rome, for
example, in his tragedy of Brutus '; but only
fragments of his works remain.
Accolti, Bernardo (äk-kõl'te). An Italian
poet ( 1465-1535). Greatly admired by his con-
temporaries, especially for his brilliant gift as an
improviser, he was styled “The Only (one) of
Arezzo » (L'Unico Aretino). Leo X. esteemed
him highly, and made him apostolic secretary,
cardinal, and papal legate at Ancona. He
drew up the Papal Bull against Luther (1520).
Achard, Louis Amédée (äsh-är'). A French
novelist and publicist (1814-75). Originally a
merchant, he became a contributor to several
papers in Paris in 1838. After the revolution
of 1848 he was for a time active as a political
writer in support of the royalist cause. From
1848 to 1872 the Revue des Deux Mondes
brought out a new story from his pen almost
every year. He depicts pre-eminently conflicts
in family life and society. (Parisian Letters)
(1838, under the pseudonym "Grimm ») made
his reputation; his other works are: Belle
Rose) (1847); “The Royal Chase) (1849-50);
(Castles in Spain) (1854), a collection of
stories; (The Shirt of Nessus) (1855); etc.
Achilles Tatius (a-kil'ez tā'shi-us). A Greek
writer of romances; born at Alexandria; four-
ished in the 5th century of our era. He
wrote (The Loves of Clitophon and Leu-
cippe,' an erotic story in forid style, and
without much regard to unity or consistency
of plot. That the story was very popular in
its day is proved by the number of copies of
it that are still in MS. An English transla-
tion by Anthony Hodges was published in
1638.
Achsharúmov, Nikoléï Dmitriyevich (äch-
shä-rö'mõf). A Russian novelist and critic;
born in St. Petersburg, Dec. 15, 1819. Among
his successful novels are: (The Double)
(1850); (The Gambler); (The False Name);
(An Unusual Case); and (The Model. ? As
a critic he attracted attention by his com-
ments on the writings of Herbert Spencer,
Tolstoy, Turgeniev, Dostoievski, etc.
Ackermann, Louise Victorine (äk'er-män).
A French poet; born in Paris, Nov. 30, 1813;
died near Nice, Aug. 3, 1890. Maiden name
Choquet. Her philological studies took her to
Berlin, where she married the theologian Paul
Ackermann. After his death in 1846 she lived
in retirement in an old convent near Nice.
Her poems are for the most part pessimistic
but passionate. Principal works: (Tales in
Verse) (1855), chiefly Oriental and Ancient
Greek subjects; (Tales and Poems) (1863);
(Philosophical Poems) (1872); «Thoughts of a
Lonely Woman) (1883).
Aclocque, Charles Paul Jacques (äk-lok').
A French novelist and journalist; born in
1832. He was a frequent contributor to the
Parisian journals and the author of several
romances. His best-known works are: Bre-
ton Legends) (1862); "Contraband Love)
(1866); (Love by Double Entry) (1868). In
collaboration with his brother he has written
(The Eccentric Huntsmen) (1876) and other
works.
Acosta, José d' (ä-kos'tä). A Spanish Jesuit
historian; born at Medina del Campo, Old Cas-
tile, 1540; died at Salamanca, Feb. 15, 1600.
Besides various theological works, he wrote
(Natural and Moral History of the Indies)
(1590), which was translated into several Euro-
pean languages. He visited Peru and Rome,
resided for some time in Mexico, and was head
of the Jesuits' College at Valladolid and of
the college at Salamanca.
Acuña, Manuel (ä-kön'yä). A Mexican poet
(1849-73), the principal theme of whose poems
was disappointed love, which is said to have
induced him to die by his own hand.
Acuñia de Figueroa, Francisco (ä-kön'yä
dė fë-gā-rõ'ä). A Uruguayan poet ; born at
Montevideo, in 1791 ; died there, Oct. 6, 1862.
His works are, in the best sense, a classic in
Spanish-American literature, owing to the per-
fection of his verse in the collection styled
(Poetic Mosaic, which comprises odes, satires,
epigrams, heroic poems, and even Biblical
## p. 4 (#20) ###############################################
4
ADAM — ADAMS
(
(
hymns and psalms. In most respects Aawless
as metrical compositions, these pieces have
been criticized as wanting in the ardor usually
associated with the southern temperament. A
diary in verse, called “The Siege of Monte-
video,' contains many fine passages.
Adam, Juliette. See Lamber.
Adam de la Hale (ä-don' de lä äl). A French
poet and composer; born at Arras, about
1235; died at Naples, about 1287. Nicknamed
the Hunchback of Arras, although he was not
deformed. His satirical extravaganza, (The
Play of Adam, or The Play in the Arbor)
(1262), constitutes the earliest comedy in the
vulgar tongue; while the pastoral drama (The
Play of Robin and of Marion may be looked
upon as the earliest specimen of comic opera.
Adami, Friedrich (ä-dä'mē). A German
author; born at Suhl, Oct. 18, 1816; died in
Berlin, Aug. 5, 1893. Besides numerous dra-
matic pieces, prologues, stories, and short nov-
els, he wrote a very popular biography of
(Louise, Queen of Prussia' (13th ed. , 1890) and
(The Book of Emperor William (1887-90).
Adams, Abigail. Wife of John Adams,
second President of the United States; born
at Weymouth, Mass. , Nov. 23, 1744; died at
Quincy, Mass. , Oct. 28, 1818. Her letters, con-
tained in Familiar Letters of John Adams
and his Wife Abigail Adams, during the Rev-
olution,' evince keen political sagacity, and
throw valuable light upon the men and the
public affairs of the time. *
Adams, Bertha Leith (Mrs. Laffan). An
English novelist; her first work, Mabel Mere-
dith's Love Story,' was published in All the
Year Round. This was followed in 1877 by
"Winstowe, Madelon Lemoine, and (Aunt
Hepsy's Foundling,' the last being her best-
known work.
Adams, Brooks. An American essayist and
politician; born at Quincy, Mass. , 1848. He
is the son of Charles Francis Adams, and a
lawyer by profession. Besides contributions to
magazines, he has written (The Emancipation
of Massachusetts) (1887) and (The Law of
Civilization and Decay.
Adams, Charles. An American historical
and religious writer; born in New Hampshire
in 1808; died in 1890. He was a Methodist
clergyman. Among his numerous works are :
Evangelism in the Middle of the 19th Cen-
tury) (1851); (Women of the Bible) (1851);
Life of Cromwell (1867); (The Earth and
its Wonders) (1869); Life Sketches of Mac-
aulay) (1880).
Adams, Charles Follen. An American dia.
lect poet; born at Dorchester, Mass. , April 21,
1842. Published Leedle Yawcob Strauss and
Other Poems) (1878); (Dialect Ballads) (1887).
Adams, Charles Francis. An eminent
American statesman, publicist, and miscella-
neous writer; born at Boston, Aug. 18, 1807;
died at Boston, Nov. 21, 1886. He was candi-
date for Vice-President in 1848, twice elected to
Congress, was minister to England from 1861
to 1868, and member of the Geneva Arbitra.
tion Commission of 1871. His chief literary
work was Life and Works of John Adams)
(10 vols. , 1850-56), his grandfather. He also
edited the writings of his father, John Quincy
Adams.
Adams, Charles Francis (Jr. ). A prominent
American publicist, lawyer, and politician; born
at Boston, May 27, 1835. He served in the Union
army during the Civil War. Besides notable
articles in the North American Review on rail-
road management, he has published: (Chapters
of Erie) (1871); (Three Episodes of Massachu-
setts History) (1892); (Essays on Educational
Topics (1879). He was for several years pres-
ident of the Union Pacific Railway, but resigned
in 1890.
Adams, Charles Kendall. An American
historian and educator ; born at Derby, Vt. ,
Jan. 24, 1835. He became president of Cornell
University (1885), of the American Historical
Association (1890), of the University of Wis-
consin (1892). He wrote: Democracy and
Monarchy in France) (1872); Christopher
Columbus, His Life and Work) (1892); be.
sides many valuable papers on historical and
educational topics in reviews.
Adams, Francis Colburn. An American
writer; prominent in the South about the time
of the Civil War.
He was
a resident of
Charleston, S. C. , and wrote extensively under
several pseudonyms. Among his works are:
(Manuel Pereira, or the Sovereign Rule
of South Carolina? (1853); (Uncle Tom at
Home) (1853); Life and Adventures of Ma.
jor Potter) (1858); (An Outcast, a Novel)
(1861); (The Story of a Trooper' (1865); “The
Von Toodleburgs) (1868).
Adams, George Burton. An American his-
torical writer ; born in Vermont in 1851. He
is a professor of history at Yale University.
He is the author of Civilization during the
Middle Ages) (1883) and “The Growth of the
French Nation.
Adams, Hannah. An American literary pio-
neer; born at Medfield, Mass. , 1755; died at
Brookline, Mass. , Nov. 15, 1832. Her principal
works were : an Autobiography); History of
New England) (1799); (History of the Jews)
(1812); besides several writings on topics con-
nected with religion.
Adams, Henry.
An American historian ;
born in Boston, Mass. , Feb. 16, 1838; grand-
son of J. Q. Adams. He was for some time
editor of the North American Review, and
professor of history in Harvard College. He
wrote biographies of eminent public men: “The
Life of Albert Gallatin (1879); (John Ran-
dolph) (1882); — and studies of particular epi-
sodes of American history : Documents Relat-
ing to New England Federalism) (1877). His
principal work is the History of the United
States from 1801 to 1817,' which constitutes an
authoritative history of that period. *
## p. 5 (#21) ###############################################
ADAMS-ADE
5
4, 1826.
Adams, Henry Carter. An American writer
on political economy; born at Davenport, Iowa,
Dec. 31, 1852. He has been instructor at Iowa
and Cornell Universities, and is now professor
in the University of Michigan. At one time
he was statistician to the Interstate Commerce
Commission. His chief works are: (Taxation
in the United States, 1789-1816) (1884); Public
Debts) (1887).
Adams, Herbert Baxter. An American his-
torian; born near Amherst, Mass. , April 16,
1850. After a course of study at Amherst,
Heidelberg, and Berlin, he was appointed in-
structor in history at Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity, and is now professor there. He is the ed-
itor of Johns Hopkins University Studies in
Historical and Political Science, and author
of (The Study of History in American Col.
leges and Universities) and Jefferson and
Higher Education in Virginia.
Adams, John. An eminent American
statesman and publicist ; second President of
the United States; born at Braintree (now
Quincy), Mass. , Oct. 19, 1735; died there, July
In the days preceding the outbreak
of the Revolution, he frequently defended in
the public prints the right of the colonies to
throw off the English yoke. His most im-
portant contribution to the literature of the
science of government is his Defence of the
Constitution and Government of the United
States) (1787). The Familiar Letters of John
Adams and his wife are of great value for the
history of the American Revolution. *
Adams, John Quincy. An American
statesman and publicist; sixth President of
the United States; born at Braintree, Mass. ,
July 11, 1767; died in Washington, D. C. , Feb.
21, 1848.
Before he reached the Presidency
he had served as his country's representative
in England, France, Prussia, and Holland ; in
his youth, too, he had accompanied his father,
John Adams, when he was American minister
at London. He was a frequent contributor to
the press, of articles on political topics. He
translated Wieland's (Oberon) into English
(1797); published Letters on Silesia) (1803).
The Diary of J. Q. Adams,) with his (Me-
moirs,' in 12 vols. , was published in 1874-77,
edited by his son.
Adams, Myron. An American clergyman
and writer, a native of New York State ; born
in 1841; died in December 1895. He was pas-
tor of a Congregational church in Rochester,
N. Y. His chief works are: (The Creation
of the Bible); (The Continuous Creation, an
Application of the Evolutionary Philosophy to
the Christian Religion.
Adams, Nehemiah. An American clergy-
man and author; born in Salem, Mass. , Feb.
19, 1806; died in Boston, Mass. , Oct. 6, 1878.
He will be chiefly remembered as the author
of a work entitled (A South Side View of
Slavery) (1854), which was severely criticized
by the antislavery
Among his other
publications are : (Under the Mizzenmast)
(1871); “Walks to Emmaüs) (1879); (Remarks
on Unitarian Belief); (Life of John Eliot.
Adams, Oscar Fay. An American com-
piler and miscellaneous writer of the present
day. Besides various compilations, including
a Dictionary of American Authors) (1897), he
has written : Dear Old Story-Tellers) (1889);
(The Story of Jane Austen's Life) (1891); (The
Presumption of Sex, and Other Papers) (1892).
Adams, Sarah Flower. An English hymn-
writer; born at Great Harlow, Essex, Feb. 22,
1805; died August 1848. In 1834 she was mar-
ried to William Bridges Adams, a noted in-
ventor. She was the author of Vivia Per-
petua, a dramatic poem (London, 1841); and
of many lyrics and hymns, the most popular
of which is Nearer, My God, to Thee)
(1860). *
Adams, William. A prominent American
clergyman and religious writer; born at Col-
chester, Conn. , Jan. 25, 1807; died at Orange
Mountain, N. J. , Aug. 31, 1880. He was long
pastor of the Madison Square Presbyterian
Church, New York, and was president of the
Union Theological Seminary in New York city
from 1873 to 1880. Among his publications
are : (In the World, not of the World) (1866);
(The Three Gardens) (1867); (Conversations of
Jesus Christ with Representative Men (1868).
Adams, William Davenport. An English
journalist and critic; born in 1851. He has
published: (A Dictionary of English Litera-
ture) (1878); “The Witty and Humorous Side
of the English Poets) (1880); By-Ways in
Bookland) (1888); (A Book of Burlesque)
(1891); (With Poet and Player) (1891).
Adams, William Taylor. See Optic, Oliver.
Addison, Joseph. A celebrated English
essayist and poet; born at Milston, Wiltshire,
May I, 1672; died in London, June 17, 1719.
He was educated at Oxford. He was Under-
Secretary of State in 1706, and in 1709 secre-
tary to Wharton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland,
where he formed a friendship with Swift. In
1716 he married the Countess of Warwick; in
1717 was appointed Secretary of State, but re-
signed in 1718. He wrote 41 original papers
in the Tatler, and 34 with Steele; 274 in the
Spectator, embodying his famous creation, the
character of Sir Roger de Coverley ; 51 essays
in the Guardian, which succeeded the Spec-
tator; 24 to a revived Spectator, and 2 to
Steele's Lover. His tragedy (Cato' was acted
at Drury Lane in 1713; although it is weak
and incongruous, it was greatly admired and
variously translated. Besides Latin poems, oc-
casional addresses, and political essays, the fol-
lowing works deserve mention : "Letter from
Italy, a poem (1703); (The Campaign,' a
poem on the battle of Blenheim (1704); (Re-
marks on Several Parts of Italy) (1705); (Fair
Rosamond,' an opera (1707). *
Ade, George. An American journalist and
author ; born in Illinois in 1866. He has pub-
lished: (Artie, a Story of the Streets and
Town'; 'Pink Marsh' (1897), a dialect story.
## p. 6 (#22) ###############################################
6
ADELUNG -- AGASSIZ
Adelung, Johann Christoph (ä'de-löng). An
eminent German philologist and lexicographer ;
born at Spantekow, Aug. 8, 1732; died in
Dresden, Sept. 10, 1806. His life was devoted
to an exhaustive investigation of his native
language, which he traced to its remotest
origins with a patience and a thoroughness that
have remained unsurpassed, the principal result
being (A Grammatical and Critical Dictionary
of the High German Tongue. Science is
further indebted to him for (Mithridates, or
Universal Language Lore, in which all living
tongues are directly or indirectly represented ;
and for a series of text-books that are still
authoritative, and to all appearances will long
continue so.
Adenet Le Roi (äd-nā' lé-rwä'). French
troubadour of the 13th century, whose surname
is interpreted as meaning king (leader) of the
minstrels, which function he performed at the
court of Henri III. , Duke of Brabant. His
work consists of remodelings of three famous
Chansons de Gestes and of the romance of
adventure, Cleomades,' his last and most im-
portant effort.
Adler, Felix (ä'dler). An American lecturer
and scholar; born at Alzey, Germany, 1851.
The son of an eminent Jewish rabbi, he emi.
grated when young to the United States, where
and at Berlin and Heidelberg he was educated.
After being for some time professor at Cornell
University, he founded in New York (1876) the
Society of Ethical Culture, of which he is
lecturer. Similar societies have been estab-
lished elsewhere in the United States and in
other countries. He is an effective writer and
speaker. He has published : 'Creed and Deed)
(1878); (The Moral Instruction of Children)
(1892).
Adler, Hermann (ä'dler). A German writer;
born in Hanover, May 29, 1839. He has lived
most of his life in England, where he has held
many positions of high trust connected with
his race, having been since 1891 chief rabbi of
the British empire, and has been active in gen-
eral benevolence. Besides sermons, lectures,
etc. , he has written : ( The Jews in England);
( The Chief Rabbis of England); (Ibn Gabirol,
the Poet Philosopher, etc.
Adlersfeld, Eufemia von. See Ballestrem.
Adolphus, John. An English historical and
miscellaneous writer; born Aug. 7, 1768; died
July 16, 1845. He was admitted an attorney
in 1790, but after a few years abandoned his
profession and devoted himself to literature.
His principal work is a History of England
from the Accession of George III. to the
Conclusion of Peace in 1783' (1802).
Ælianus, Claudius (ē-li-ā'nus). A Roman
sophist who flourished in the first half of the
second century. Of his works, written in Greek,
three are extant: Peasants' Letters,' pur-
porting to be written by peasants in Attica;
(Various Histories, or narratives, in 14 books;
(Of the Nature of Animals,' anecdotes of ani.
mals. *
Æschines (es'ki-nēz). A great Athenian
orator (389-314 B. C. ), rival of Demosthenes.
Only three of his (Orations have come down
to our time. He was specially brilliant in his
extemporaneous efforts. In his more studied
orations his great merit was the clearness and
fullness of the narrative part. *
Æschylus (es'ki-lus). The greatest of the
Greek dramatists; born at Eleusis, Attica, 525
B. C. ; died at Gela, Sicily, 456 B. C. Of his
very numerous works (72 or even 90 dramas),
seven tragedies only remain: The Suppli-
ants,' one of his earliest productions; (The
Persians, founded on the contemporary tri-
umph of Greece over the invading Persian
hosts; (The Seven against Thebes,' the only
extant member of a tetralogy, the other members
of which were (Laius, ((Edipus,' and (The
Sphinx. ) The grand tragedy, Prometheus
Bound, is the sole survivor of a trilogy, the
other two members of which were Prometheus
the Fire-Bearer) and (Prometheus Loosed. In
portrayal of grandeur of action and sublimity
of heroic character, the Prometheus) is almost
without an equal in the history of dramatic lit-
erature. The remaining three tragedies, 'Aga-
memnon, (Choephori,' and Eumenides,' are
specially precious, constituting the only com-
plete trilogy that is extant from any ancient
Greek tragic poet. *
Æsop (c'sop). A Greek fabulist who lived
in the 7th century B. C. According to tradi-
tion, he was a captive of war and for part
of his life a slave. Many of his fables have
been traced to Egyptian and Indian sources.
Socrates, during his imprisonment, put into
verse a portion of the Æsopian fables. A more
complete collection of them was by Babrius, a
Greek fabulist. In the lapse of time what
might be called the Æsopian canon was much
obscured, and spurious fables were incorporated
into it. *
Afzelius, Arvid August (äf-tsā'li-ös). A
Swedish writer and poet (1785-1871), esteemed
particularly for his researches in old Norse
history and literature; translated the poetical
Edda, and with Geijer edited a famous collec-
tion of old Swedish folksongs (Stockholm, 1814-
17, 3 vols. ). As a poet he is best known by his
(Romances.
Ágai, Adolf (ä'goy). A Hungarian humor-
ist; born 1836. Editor of Borzsem Jankó (John
Peppercorn), the best Hungarian comic paper.
His sketches from society, character draw-
ings of national types, and personal reminis-
cences, constitute a rare mine of witty ideas
and sound humor, clothed in brilliant lan-
guage.
Agassiz, Alexander (ä-gä-sē'). An Amer-
ican zoologist and geologist, son of J. L. R.
Agassiz; born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Dec.
17, 1835. He came to this country with his
father in 1849; graduated from Harvard in
1855; and received the degree of B. S. from
the Lawrence Scientific School in 1857. In
1859 he went to California as assistant on the
## p. 7 (#23) ###############################################
AGASSIZ - AÏDÉ
7
:
United States Coast Survey. From 1860 to
1865 he was assistant curator of the Museum
of Comparative Zoology at Harvard Univer-
sity; and from 1866 to 1869, superintendent of
the Calumet and Hecla mines, Lake Superior.
On the death of his father in 1873, he was ap-
pointed curator of the Museum of Comparative
Zoology, holding that position until he resigned
in 1885. His chief works are : "List of Echino-
derms (1863); Exploration of Lake Titicaca)
(1875-76); (Three Cruises of the Blake, a Con-
tribution to American Thalassography) (1880).
Agassiz, Mrs. Elizabeth (Cary). An Ameri-
can scientific writer, wife of J. L. R. Agassiz;
born in Massachusetts in 1822. She is part
author, with Alexander Agassiz, of (Seaside
Studies in Natural History) (1865); (Marine
Animals of Massachusetts Bay) (1871). She
also wrote a life of her husband.
Agassiz, Jean Louis Rodolphe. An eminent
Swiss naturalist; born at Motier, Switzerland,
May 28, 1807; died at Cambridge, Mass. , Dec.
14, 1873. He studied medicine and comparative
anatomy in the universities of Zürich, Heidel-
berg, and Munich. He gave many years to
study of fossil fishes, and his first great work
bore that title (1834). His next special re-
searches were directed toward the explanation
of glaciers, and he published (Studies of Gla-
ciers) (1844). In 1846 he made a lecturing tour
of the United States, and in 1848 became pro-
fessor of geology at Harvard, and in 1859 cu-
rator of the Museum of Comparative Zoology.
His contributions to the development of the
facts and principles of natural science in his
special departments are very numerous and of
highest authority. Chief among his works writ-
ten in English are: Principles of Zoology);
(The Structure of Animal Life); (Scientific
Results of a Journey in Brazil. *
Agathias (a-gā'thi-as). A Greek poet and
historian; about 536-581. He collected a'Cycle)
of contemporary poems, in which were a few
of his own composition. We have still 101 of
his Epigrams, and the whole of his ( History)
of the years 553-558. *
Agathon (ag'a-thon). A Greek tragic poet
(418-402 B. C. ). He was a close friend of Eurip-
ides and of Plato; and the famous (Sympo-
sium of Plato immortalizes the banquet given
on the occasion of Agathon's dramatic triumph,
416 B. C.
Agoult, Countess d’. See Stern, Daniel.
Agrippa, Heinrich Cornelius (a-grip'ä). A
German philosopher (1486-1535); born at Co-
logne. He was of all professions in turn,-
university professor, soldier, magistrate, physi-
cian, court historiographer to Charles V.
