A French poet
(1752-90), much admired by his contemporaries,
who, somewhat extravagantly, styled him the
French Propertius.
(1752-90), much admired by his contemporaries,
who, somewhat extravagantly, styled him the
French Propertius.
Warner - World's Best Literature - v29 - BIographical Dictionary
The family removed to the
yet unsettled territory south of Nashville, Ky. ,
and in 1811 he was admitted to the bar in
Nashville. He became a member of the State
Legislature. He served in the United States
army (1810-11 and 1812-13) and attained the
rank of lieutenant-colonel. He settled in St.
Louis, Mo. , in 1815, and established a
paper, the Missouri Inquirer, which he edited
news-
## p. 55 (#71) ##############################################
BENTZEL-STERNAU - BERGH
55
3
for many years. He was elected United States
Senator from Missouri in 1820, and continued
to hold that office for the next thirty years.
He was a champion of the rights of settlers on
the public lands; and of a gold and silver cur-
rency rather than paper money as a medium of
exchange (hence called “Old Bullion”). He
was a steadfast opponent of the Nullification
doctrine, of the repeal of the Missouri Com-
promise, and of the Kansas-Nebraska bill. He
was one of the earliest and most strenuous ad-
vocates of the building of a Pacific Railroad.
His chief publications are his (Thirty Years'
View) of the workings of the national govern-
ment (1854-56), and his (Abridgment of the De-
bates of Congress,' covering the period from the
foundation of the government to the year 1850.
Bentzel-Sternau, Count Karl Christian
Ernst von (bents'el stār'nou). A German
novelist and miscellaneous writer; born in
Mentz, April 9, 1767; died at Mariahalden,
Switzerland, Aug. 13, 1843. He is esteemed as
a humorist in the manner of Jean Paul; and his
satirical romances, (The Golden Calf? (1802-3),
(The Stone-Guest) (1808), 'Old Adam) (1819-
20), «The Master of the Chair, together form
a series.
Bentzon, Thérèse (bants-ôn”), pseudonym of
Marie Thérèse Blanc. A French novelist and
littérateur; born at Seine-Port, Sept. 21, 1840.
She has been for many years on the editorial
staff of the Revue des Deux Mondes, to
which she has contributed notable transla-
tions and reviews of many American, English,
and German authors. Her literary essays on
these contemporaneous writers were collected
in Foreign Literature and Customs) (1882)
and “Recent American Novelists) (1885). Her
first work to attract attention was (A Divorce)
(1871), published in the Journal des Débats.
Two other novels, (A Remorse) (1879) and
(Tony) (1889), were crowned by the French
Academy. Other stories are: (Georgette) and
Jacqueline (1893). The fruit of her first visit
to the United States was 'Condition of Woman
in the United States) (1895).
Beöthy, Zoltán (bė'tē). A Hungarian poet
and critic; born at Komorn, Sept. 4, 1848.
Since 1882 he has been professor of æsthetics
at the University of Buda-Pesth. His numer-
ous tales show unusual talent for psychological
delineation; among them are : (Judge Martin)
(1872); (The Nameless Ones) (1875); Ká-
lozdi Béla) (1875), a novel. His dramaturgic
studies and criticisms appeared under the
title (Playwrights and Actors) (1881). He has
also written an excellent history of Hungarian
literature (6th ed. 1891).
Béranger, Pierre Jean de (bā-ron-zhā'). A
French poet; born in Paris, Aug. 19, 1780;
died there, July 16, 1857. His father took him
to Paris in 1802; but they soon quarreled,
and he began life in that garret which became
famous. In 1804 Lucien Bonaparte helped him
out of his distress, by giving him a clerkship
in the Imperial University. Meanwhile he had
composed many convivial and political songs,
but it did not occur to him to write them
down until 1812. They were so universally sung
that he could have dispensed with the printing-
press. When his poems were published in
1815, he was recognized as the champion of
the faction opposed to the Bourbons. His pop-
ularity with the working-classes was immense,
and he made the song a powerful political
weapon. His republicanism and enthusiasm for
Napoleon suited the multitude. Two volumes
published in 1821 led to his imprisonment; and
another in 1825 caused a second incarceration.
(New Songs) appeared in 1830, and his (Auto-
biography) in 1840. In 1848 he was elected
to Parliament, but begged to be released.
His songs are full of wit, light-heartedness,
and musical grace, ranging in theme from
epicurean trivialties to passionate and burning
social and political satire. Among the best
are the King of Yvetot); (The Old Flag);
(The Old Corporal); ( Roger Bontemps); (My
Grandmother); "Little Red Man); Little
Gray Man); and (The Marquis of Carabas. *
Berchet, Giovanni (bār-shā o berk'et). An
Italian poet; born in Milan, Dec. 23, 1783; died
in Turin, March 23, 1851. He was a leader in
the school of poets and thinkers who sought
to restore Italian literature to its ancient emi.
nence by a purely national development. Com-
ing under suspicion of Carbonarism, he had
to quit his country, and lived several years
abroad. His songs and romantic ballads -
(Italian Poems) (1848) - made him the favor-
ite popular singer of Italy. His best perform-
ance is (The Fugitives of Parga. '
Berezik, Árpád (bār-sēk'). A Hungarian
dramatist; born at Temesvar, 1842 or 1852. He
studied at the University of Pesth, and almost
immediately upon his graduation became dis-
tinguished for his writings. Dramatic criticism
and comedy are his congenialities; Public
Affairs, (The Veterans,' and (In the Czechs'
Country, three very diverting plays, bringing
him his greatest fame.
Bergerat, Auguste Émile (berzh-rä'). A
French journalist, playwright, and novelist;
born in Paris, April 29, 1845. Son-in-law of
Théophile Gautier, and since 1884 particularly
known as the amusing chronicler of the Fi.
garo under the pseudonym of «Caliban. His
feuilletons for that paper were published col-
lectively as “Life and Adventures of Sieur
Caliban) (1886); (The Book of Caliban) (1887);
"Caliban's Laughter) (1890); etc. He also
wrote two novels : (Faublas in Spite of Him-
self? (1884); (The Rape) (1886); besides two
volumes to the memory of his father-in-law,
(Théophile Gautier, Painter) (1877), and (Th.
Gautier, Conversations, Souvenirs, and Corre-
spondence) (1879).
Bergh, Henry. A noted American philan-
thropist and miscellaneous writer; born in New
York, 1823; died there, March 12, 1888. He was
founder and president of the American Soci-
ety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
## p. 56 (#72) ##############################################
BERGH - BERNARDAKIS
56
)
(1866), founder of the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children (1881), sec-
retary of legation and acting vice-consul at St.
Petersburg (1862–64). He wrote : Love's Alter-
natives) (1881), a play; Married Off (1859),
a poem; (The Streets of New York); (The
Ocean Paragon); etc.
Bergh, Pieter Theodoor Helvetius van den
(berg). A Dutch dramatist and poet (1799-
1873); attracted attention with his comedy
(The Nephew) (1837), considered one of the
best modern Dutch literature, but did not
justify expectations by his subsequent dramatic
efforts. He also published a collection, Prose
and Poetry) (3d ed. 1863).
Bergk, Theodor (berk). A German classical
philologist; born in Leipsic, May 22, 1812;
died at Ragaz, Switzerland, July 20, 1881. He
became an indisputable authority on Hellenic
poetry, producing two works of surpassing im-
portance in that department of scholarship :
(Greek Lyric Poets) (4th ed. 1878–82), and
(History of Greek Literature) (1872); the lat-
ter not quite completed at his death, but brought
to perfection with the aid of his posthumous
papers. He contributed much of value, like-
wise, to our knowledge of special departments
of classical learning.
Bergsöe, Jörgen Vilhelm (berg'se). A Dan-
ish novelist, poet, and naturalist; born in
Copenhagen, Feb. 8, 1835. While suffering
partial blindness caused by excessive use of
the microscope in his memorable biological
researches at Messina, he turned to literary
composition; and soon appeared the first of a
cycle of novels, "From the Piazza del Popolo)
(1866), which had an extraordinary success.
The following year he published his first vol-
ume of poems, Now and Then. Of his many
novels, the one which excels for fineness of
touch is "Who Was He? ) All his stories are
characterized by rich imagination, fine observa-
tion, and great originality; his poetry is in-
ferior in these respects to his prose.
Berkeley, George, Bishop. A celebrated
Irish clergyman and author; born near Kil-
kenny, March 12, 1685; died at Oxford, Eng.
land, Jan. 14, 1753. He resided in America, at
Newport, R. I. , for about three years, begin-
ning 1728. His estate of Whitehall at Newport
he conveyed to Yale College for the mainte-
nance of scholarships. Among his published
works are the celebrated (Commonplace Book,
1703-6); Essay towards a New Theory of
Vision' (1709); The Principles of Human
Knowledge) (1710); “Dialogues between Hylas
and Philonous) (1713); (Alciphron, or the Mi-
nute Philosopher) (1732); “ The Analyst) (1735);
(Siris) (1744: on Tar-Water); and others. *
Berlichingen, Götz (Gottfried) von, of the
Iron Hand (ber'liċh-ing''en). A famous Ger-
man knight and autobiographer; born in Jagst.
hausen in the present kingdom of Würtem-
berg, 1480; died July 23, 1562. He became very
popular with the masses; this and other facts
concerning him being apparent his (Auto-
biography) (late ed. 1886), a work drawn upon
by Goethe for the play bearing his name.
Berlioz, Hector (bår-le-oz'). A great French
musical composer and critic; born near Gre-
noble, Dec. II, 1803; died in Paris, March 8,
1869. In 1830 his cantata (Sardanapalus) won
for him the prize of Rome,” which afforded
him the means of spending 18 months in Italy.
He had already made his mark in Paris with
the overtures (Waverley) and (The Vehm
Judges); and among the fruits of his studies
in Italy were the overture to (King Lear) and
the symphony (The Return to Life. Then fol-
lowed the long series of his musical works.
Among his literary works are (A Musical Tour
in Italy and Germany); (Orchestra Soirées);
and (Treatise on Instrumentation (1844). *
Bernard, Charles de (ber-när'). [Properly
Bernard du Grail de La Villette. ) A French
novelist ; born in Besançon, Feb. 25, 1804; died
at Neuilly, March 6, 1850. He was a disciple
of Balzac, whom he resembles in his power of
realistic description and psychological analysis ;
but he possesses a purer and more nervous
style, and above all is content with a less
minute elaboration of story and characters.
His first piece, “The Gerfalcon, made a hit
with its clever description of the literary cliques.
Everywhere he evinces clear insight into the
foibles of society. Of his novels, the following
may be named as only second in rank to his
masterpiece (The Gerfalcon): A Magistrate's
Adventure); (The Gordian Knot); (Wings of
Icarus ); «The Lion's Skin'; (The Country
Gentleman.
Bernard of Clairvaux or St. Bernard (ber-
närd' - klār-vo'). A French theologian, church
father, and saint; born at Fontaines, near
Dijon, 1091; died at Clairvaux, Jan. 12, 1153
His five books on (Reflection are written in
a clear and cheerful style; and the hymn,
Jesu! the Very Thought of Thee,' is in use
in all the churches of our day. *
Bernard of Cluny (klü-nē'). A French monk
and poet who flourished in the twelfth cen-
tury, and is noted for his work (On Con-
tempt of the World' (1597); but very little is
known of the author's life. *
Bernard de Ventadour (ber-när' dè ven-tä.
dör'). A French troubadour poet; born in
Ventadour (? ) about 1125 (? ); died in the mon-
astery at Dalon about 1197 (? ). Love songs (To
Eleonore,' and various amatory lays to courtly
dames, form the riches of his delicate verse.
Bernardakis, Demetrios (ber-när'däk-is").
A Greek poet, dramatist, and scholar; born at
Santa Marina, Lesbos, Dec. 2, 1834. After a
course of study at Athens and in German
universities, he was (with one considerable in-
termission) professor of history and philology
in the University of Athens from 1861 to 1882,
when he went back to Lesbos. He is author
of a spirited Pindaric ode for a jubilee occas-
ion, of several dramas, and of a satire, (The
Battle of Cranes and Mice); he has also written
## p. 57 (#73) ##############################################
BERNARDES - BESANT:
57
a (Universal History); a (Church History);
and a spirited tractate, Confutation of a False
Atticism,' directed against the would-be Attic
purists.
Bernardes, Diogo (ber-när'des). A Portu-
guese poet; born in Ponte de Lima, about
1530; died in 1605. He was called in his day
“the Sweet Singer of the Lima," a streamlet
immortalized in his verse. He left his native
valley in 1550 and attached himself to the
mastersinger Sá de Miranda, who lived retired
on his estate Quinta da Tapada, a devotee of
the Muses. Here Bernardes composed verses
in all kinds, elegies, sonnets, odes, songs, full of
tender sympathies and perfect melody. Here
he wrote: (The Lima); Various Rimes -
Flowers from Lima's Banks); «Various Rimes
to the Good Jesu.
Berneck, Gustave von. See Guseck.
Berners, Juliana. An English prioress and
writer; said to have been born in Essex, and
flourished in the fifteenth century. She was at
the head of a convent in Sopewell, and is
celebrated for her work on fishing, hunting,
and like pastimes, entitled “Book of St. Albans)
(1486). *
Bernhard, Karl (bārn'här), pseudonym of
Nicolai de Saint Aubain. A celebrated Danish
novelist; born in Copenhagen, Nov. 18, 1798;
died there, Nov. 25, 1865. His induction into
the republic of letters was under the auspices
of his noted kinswoman, Madame Gyllembourg.
The poet Heiberg was his uncle; the nephew
has almost overshadowed the older writer
through the brilliance of 'The Favorite of
Fortune, (Two Friends, (For and Against,
and many other novels, all founded either on
historical occurrences or the author's observa-
tions of contemporary life.
Bernhardi, Theodor von (bern-här'dē). A
German historian and diplomat; born in Ber-
lin, Nov. 6, 1802; died at Kunersdorf, Silesia,
Feb. 12, 1887. His diplomatic career was im-
portant, and afforded him special facilities for
compiling a “History of Russia and of Euro-
pean Politics during the Years 1814-31) (1863-
77); (Frederick the Great as a Military Com-
mander' (1881); and similar works, all of value.
Bernhardy, Gottfried. A German classical
philologist; born in Landsberg-on-the-Warthe,
March 20, 1800; died in Halle, May 14, 1875.
He lectured very brilliantly at the leading
universities, his principal works being (Greek
Syntax Scientifically Considered (1829), a his-
torical study of the subject; (Outlines of Ro.
man Literature) (5th ed. 1872); (Outlines of
Greek Literature) (part i. , 5th ed. 1892; part
ii. , 2d-3d ed. 1876-80; part iii. wanting), and a
supplement to the first-named treatise, entitled
Paralipomena (Omissions) in [the Work on)
Greek Syntax) (1854-62); although he has writ-
ten many other important books.
Bernstein, Aaron (bern'stin). A German
publicist and novelist (1812–84); born
Dantzic. He was in politics a radical and in
religion a reformer, and his life was a con-
tinued battle against obscurantism and con-
servatism. Yet he wrote some charming stories
of life among the Jews, among them Mendel
Gibbor) (1860). He wrote also some notable
historical sketches, as (The People's Years)
and (The Years of Reaction.
Berrian, William (ber'i-an). An American
Episcopal divine and religious writer; born
1787; died 1862. He was rector of Trinity
Church, New York (1830–62). Besides various
religious works, he wrote (Travels in France
and Italy) and a Historical Sketch of Trinity
Church.
Bersezio, Vittorio (ber-sets'yo). An Italian
novelist and playwright; born at Peveragno,
Piedmont, in 1830. Both as a writer of tales and
of comedies he is conspicuous for vivid and
faithful delineation of Piedmontese life; espe-
cially in his dialect comedies, among which
(The Misfortunes of Monssù Travett) is con-
sidered to be his masterpiece. He also wrote
an excellent historical work, (The Reign of
Victor Emanuel II. (1878-93).
Bertaut, Jean (bār-to). A French poet and
prelate; born in Caen, 1570; died 1611. He
seems to have entered holy orders as a result
of the favor he acquired at court through his
love poems, which comprise stanzas, odes,
and couplets, published as (Songs) (? ) (1602).
He also composed "canticles) on (The Con-
version of Henry IV. ,' as well as a funeral
oration in eulogy of the same monarch.
Berthet, Elie (ber-tā). A French novelist
(1815-91), of whose numerous works the best
known are: (The Storks' Nest (1848); (The
Catacombs of Paris) (1854); (The Good Old
Times) (1867); “Prehistoric Novels) (1876).
Berthold, Franz (ber-tõld'), pseudonym of
Adelheid Reinbold. A German novelist
(1802-39), warmly appreciated and furthered
by Ludwig Tieck. Her story Fred of the
Will-o'-the-Wisp' (1830) met with great favor;
after her death appeared King Sebastian
(1839), a historical romance, and Collected
Tales) (1842).
Bertin, Antoine (ber-tan').
A French poet
(1752-90), much admired by his contemporaries,
who, somewhat extravagantly, styled him the
French Propertius. He was a friend of Parny,
and like him excelled in elegiac and epistolary
verse. His principal works are: Voyage in
Burgundy) (1777) and (The Loves) (1780).
Besant, Walter, Sir (bes'ant). An English
novelist; born in Portsmouth in 1838. After
graduation at Cambridge, he went to Mauritius
as professor in the Royal College, but returned
to London, where he long was secretary of the
Palestine Exploration Fund. In 1871 he formed
a literary partnership with James Rice, which
continued until the death of the latter. They
wrote many novels, some of which were dram-
atized. Among them are: Ready Money
Mortiboy) (London, 1871); (The Golden But-
terfly) (1876); (The Seamy Side) (1881); and
at
## p. 58 (#74) ##############################################
58
BESTŰSHEFF - BICKMORE
:
(
(The Chaplain of the Fleet) (1881). Alone he
has written : (Studies in Early French Poetry)
(1868); (When George the Third was King)
( (1872); (The French Humorists) (1873); (All
Sorts and Conditions of Men) (1882), which
led to the establishment of the People's Pal-
ace in the East End of London; (All in a
Garden Fair) (1883); (Dorothy Forster) (1884);
(The World Went Very Well Then) (1887);
Armorel of Lyonnesse (1890); (St. Katha-
rine's By the Tower) (1891); “The Ivory Gate)
(1892); Beyond the Dreams of Avarice);
(The Master Craftsman); and others. He was
knighted in 1896. *
Bestúsheff, Alexander Alexandrovich (bes-
töʻzhef or bes-tö'shef). A Russian novelist and
soldier; born in St. Petersburg, Nov. 3, 1797
(not 1795); killed in battle in the Caucasus,
July 19, 1837. Of his numerous novels the
most celebrated are: (Ammalat-Beg); (The
Nadeshda Frigate); «The Terrible Prophecy. )
His Private Correspondence) is highly prized.
Bethune, George Washington (be-thön).
A distinguished American Dutch Reformed
clergyman and poet; born in New York, March
18, 1805; died at Florence, Italy, April 27,
1862. He was a most lovable man, noted as
an orator and a wit. He had charges at Rhine-
beck and Utica, N. Y. , Philadelphia, Brooklyn,
and New York city. Besides religious works
he wrote: (British Female Poets); Lays of
Love and Faith) (1847), several of the hymns
in which are widely used. He also published
an edition of Izaak Walton's 'Complete Angler)
(1846); etc.
Betteloni, Vittorio (bet-el-ö'nē). An Ital-
ian poet; born in Verona, 1840. He was edu-
cated in Pisa, and is now professor of Italian
literature and history in the Female College
in Verona. His verse proves him an adherent
of that Italian classical school which dates
from 1869, and includes: (In the Springtime)
(1869); New Stanzas) (1880); and a transla-
tion of Goethe's (Hermann and Dorothea.
Betts, Craven Langstroth. An American
poet and story-writer; born in New Brunswick,
1853. Besides translating (Songs from Béran-
ger) in the original metres, he wrote: (The
Perfume Holder, a Persian Love Poem); and
with A. W. H. Eaton, (Tales of a Garrison
Town.
Beyle, Marie-Henri (bāl), better known un-
der the pseudonym of “Stendhal. " A notable
French novelist and critic; born in Grenoble,
Jan. 23, 1783; died in Paris, March 23, 1842.
In spite of interruptions due to the political
upheavals in which he became involved, he
found time to display his critical and imagin-
ative genius in Rome, Naples, and Florence
in 1817,' (History of Painting in Italy, and
(About Love): but his celebrity now rests prin-
cipally upon (The Chartreuse (Carthusian Nun]
of Parma, a magnificent fiction, brilliantly ori-
ginal, witty, and absorbing; and to a less extent
upon (The Red and the Black) [i. e. , Priests
and Soldiers), a romance possible only to a
writer with the widest knowledge of men and
things. *
Bhatti (bhat-tē or bė-hat'te). An Indian
epic poet of the 6th or the 7th century. His
poem named after him “Bhattikâvyam' is in
22 cantos. Its theme is the deeds of Rama;
but the author designed the work to be also
an exemplification of the rules of grammatical
and rhetorical composition. It was published
with a twofold commentary at Calcutta (1828).
Bhavabhuti (bha-va-bhö'ti or bė-ha-va-bé.
hö'ti). An Indian dramatic poet next in celeb-
rity to Kâlidâsa; he lived in the 8th century.
His (Mâlatîmâdhava,' which might be entitled
(The Secret Marriage,' portrays Indian society
in effective traits. The Mahâvîratsharita'
("Fortunes of the Great Hero') deals with
the deeds of Râma and his victory over the
giant Râvana, ravisher of Sita, Râma's consort.
The Uttararâmatsharita) ("Other Fortunes of
Râma') portrays the long-suffering of Sîta and
her reconcilement with Râma, all in a sympa-
thetic vein and sometimes with great force.
Biart, Lucien (bē-är'). A French novelist,
poet, and writer of travels; born at Versailles,
June 21, 1829. He published a number of
novels, containing masterly descriptions of Mex-
ican and South-American nature and customs.
Among his works are: (The Mexican Women)
(1853), poems; Adventures of a Young Nat-
uralist) (1869); (The Clients of Dr. Bernagius)
(1873); (Across America' (1876), crowned by
the Academy.
Bibbiena (bēb-bē-ā'nä). [Bernardo Dovizio.
who was styled Bibbiena. ) An Italian poet;
born at Bibbiena, Aug. 4, 1470; died Nov. 9,
1520. For many years secretary to Cardinal
Giovanni de' Medici, in whose election as Pope
Leo X. he is said to have had a considerable
share, he was appointed treasurer, and soon
after raised to the dignity of cardinal. In this
dignity he became an ardent promoter of art
and science. His comedy (Calandria' is prob-
ably the earliest in Italian literature.
Bicci, Ersillo (bē'chē). An Italian poet;
born in Pisa, 1845. He studied in Florence,
and is now professor of Italian literature in
the Licei Dante and Toscanelli of that city.
His best is in the collection styled New
Verses.
Bickersteth, Edward Henry. An English
poet; born at Islington, Jan. 25, 1825 He is
a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, and
is noted for his scholarly devotional works;
but is most famous as a poet, -- (Yesterday, To-
day, and Forever) being particularly admired.
Bickmore, Albert Smith. An American
naturalist and writer of travels; born at St.
George's, Me. , March 1, 1839. An extensive
traveler in the East, he founded and is curator
of the museum of natural history at Central
Park, New York. Besides scientific publica-
tions, he has written: (Travels in the East
Indian Archipelago) (1869); A Journey from
Canton to Hankow) (1868); etc.
## p. 59 (#75) ##############################################
BIDDLE - BILLAUT
59
Biddle, Anthony Joseph Drexel (bid'l).
An American publisher, journalist, and miscel-
laneous writer; born in Pennsylvania, 1874.
He has written: A Dual Rôle, and Other
Stories); An Allegory and Three Essays);
(The Madeira Islands); (The Froggy Fairy
Book.
Biddle, Nicholas. A noted American finan-
cier and writer; born in Philadelphia, Jan. 8,
1786; died there, Feb. 27, 1844. He was presi-
dent of the United States Bank 1823-39, during
Jackson's war against its being the depository
of the government moneys, and the later specu-
lations which ruined it. Besides miscellaneous
writings, he published a (Commercial Digest,'
and History of the Expedition under Lewis
and Clarke to the Pacific Ocean. )
Biedermann, Karl (bē'der-män). A Ger-
man historian and publicist; born in Leipsic,
Sept. 25, 1812. His influence in public affairs,
although indirect, has long been considerable :
and as a writer of literary and philosophical
history he has struck out a path of his own
with (Germany in the Eighteenth Century) (2d
ed. in part, 1880); (German Philosophy from
Kant's Day to Our Own (1842-43); (Thirty
Years of German History, 1840–70) (2d ed.
1883); and many other allied studies.
Bielovski, August (bē-lov'skē). A Polish
poet (1806–76); born at Krechowice, Galicia.
Among his poetical compositions is to be men-
tioned the historical rhapsody (Lay of Henry
the Pious. He wrote a Critical Introduction
to the History of Poland.
Bierbaum, Otto Jullus (bēr'boum). A Ger-
man poet; born in Grüneberg, Silesia, June 28,
1865. He is a rising man of letters; his (Songs
of Experience (or “Poems That Were Lived))
(1892) is as yet his most noteworthy volume.
Biernatzki, Johann Christoph (bēr-näts’kē).
A German pietist, poet, and story-writer; born
at Elmshorn, Holstein, Oct. 17, 1795; died at
Friedrichstadt, May 11, 1840. A country pastor,
he devoted himself to the versification of his
own precepts and beliefs, the volume (Faith)
being the result. In (The Brown Boy, and
(Hallig, or the Adventures of Castaways on an
Island in the North Sea, he displays a not
unpleasing capacity for prose narrative.
Biester, João Ernesto (bēs'ter). A Portu-
guese dramatist (1829-80); born at Lisbon. He
wrote some 90 plays, the most noteworthy
among them being «The Nineteenth-Century
Gentleman); Luck and Labor); and (The
Scandal-Mongers. '
Bigelow, John. An American author and
diplomat; born in Malden, N. Y. , Nov. 25, 1817.
After graduation from Union College in 1835,
he studied law, and in 1849 became associated
with William Cullen Bryant in the New York
Evening Post, of which he was managing
editor until 1861. He was consul in Paris,
1861-65; U. S. minister to France, 1865-67; and
held important offices on his return to Ne
York. His specialty is American biography
and history, and his books include: "Life of
John C. Fremont) (1856); Lafayette (1882);
Molinos, the Quietist! (1882); Life of Will-
iam Cullen Bryant) (1889); (The United States
of America, in French (1863); and France
and the Confederate Navy) (1888). He edited
the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin from
the original manuscript, which he found in
France, and later the complete works of Frank-
lin (10 vols. , 1887-88).
Bigelow, Poultney. An American bio-
graphical and historical writer; born in New
York, N. Y. , Sept. 10, 1855. He is the son of
John Bigelow; was educated at Yale College
and in Germany; and is the author of : (The
German Emperor) (1892); Paddles and Poli-
tics down the Danube) (1892); Borderland
of Czar and Kaiser) (1894); and (History of
the German Struggle for Liberty) 1896).
Bijns, Anna (binz). A noted Flemish poet;
born in Antwerp, 1494; died there, April 10,
1575. Much admired for her melodious verses,
full of metaphors and showing great technical
skill, she was styled the “Brabantine Sappho »
by her contemporaries. The first of her vol-
umes of collected verse bore the title (This is
a Beautiful and Truthful for (Sincere'] Little
Book); while a second is known as “Spiritual
Refrains.
Bikelas, Dimitrios (bē-kā'las). An emi-
nent Greek poet and essayist; born at Her-
mopolis, in the island of Syra, in 1835. After
completing his studies, he went to London,
where his parents had settled, and since 1874 he
has lived in Paris. After having published a
collection of his poems in London in 1862, he
devoted himself to the task of making Shake-
speare's dramas known in Greece through ex-
cellent metrical translations. As a prose-writer
he has won wide reputation with his tale (Lukis
Laras) (1879), which was translated into thir-
teen languages.
Bilderdijk, Willem (bil'der-dik). A cele-
brated Dutch poet; born at Amsterdam, Sept.
7, 1756; died Dec. 18, 1831. He reached the
highest point of his lyric genius in the (Mis-
cellaneous Poems) and patriotic pieces, nota-
bly the hymn (Willem Frederik) and (The
True Love of Fatherland. Of his great didactic
poems most are imitations; e. g. , the Country
Life, after a French original; Man, after
Pope's 'Essay on Man. His epic, Destruction
of the First World,' a work not unworthy of
his genius, was left uncompleted. *
Billaut, Adam (bē-yo'), better known as
(Maître Adam” (Father Adam). A French
poet; born at the beginning of the 17th cen.
tury; died 1662. A carpenter by trade, he
wrote rude but original poems, the gayety of
which, together with the contrast they afforded
with his occupation, made them very popular
at the time. Voltaire called him “Virgil with
the Plane. " The three collections of his poems
ntitled “The Pegs, (The Centre-Bit,
and (The Plane. )
1
1
1
1
1
were
## p. 60 (#76) ##############################################
60
BILLINGS- BISSELL
(
:
Billings, John Shaw. An American surgeon
and medical and hygienic writer; born in In-
diana, 1838. He was librarian of the surgeon-
general's office, Washington; president of the
American Public Health Association (1880);
he is now chief librarian of the New York
Library (the combined Astor, Lenox, and Til-
den libraries). His chief work is a voluminous
Index-Catalogue) (1880) of the library of the
surgeon-general's office. He has written also:
(Hygienics of the United States Army Bar-
racks); Mortality and Vital Statistics of the
United States Army) (1880); "Ventilation and
Heating' (1884), revised and enlarged 1893,- a
very comprehensive and authoritative work.
Billings, Josh. See Shaw, Henry W.
Bion (bi'on). A Greek pastoral poet; born
near Smyrna in the 3d century B. C. He ap-
pears to have passed the latter part of his life
in Sicily. His pastorals betray a degree of
refinement and sentimentality not found in the
earlier and more spontaneous bucolic poets.
Still extant is his "Lament for Adonis, often
imitated by subsequent poets. Besides this
there remain of his works only short pieces,
many of them fragmentary. *
Birch-Pfeiffer, Charlotte (bērch-pfi'fèr). A
German actress and dramatist (1800-68). She
joined the Court Theatre Company at Munich
at the age of 13 years; at 18 she had won
distinction in tragic rôles. She married Chris-
tian Birch in 1825; thereafter till her death
she was in active relations with the stage,
whether as actress or conductress. Her numer-
ous dramatic compositions were produced on
nearly every stage in Germany. They evince
remarkable skill in the employment of stage
effects. Her plays are in many instances
grounded on novels; among them are : (Graf-
fenstein Castle); (The Favorites); (The Bell-
Ringers of Notre Dame) (Victor Hugo);
(The Woman in White) (Wilkie Collins);
(The Orphan of Lowood' (Charlotte Brontë).
Bird, Robert Montgomery. An American
dramatist and novelist; born in Newcastle,
Del. , Feb. 5, 1805 (? ); died in Philadelphia, Pa. ,
Jan. 22, 1854. He was the author of three trage-
dies : Oraloosa); (The Broker of Bogota); and
(The Gladiator, frequently played by Forrest.
His novels include: (Calavar) (1834); (The
Infidel' (1835); “Nick of the Woods) (1837);
Peter Pilgrim (1838); and (Robin Day)
(1839).
Birney, James Gillespie. A noted Ameri-
can statesman and publicist ; born at Danville,
Ky. , Feb. 4, 1792; died at Perth Amboy, N. J. ,
Nov. 25, 1857. Though a Southern planter, he
emancipated his slaves and became a promi.
nent anti-slavery leader in the South, proprietor
and editor of the anti-slavery journal The Phi-
lanthropist, etc. He was candidate of the "Lib.
erty) party for President (1840 and 1844). He
wrote: (Ten Letters on Slavery and Coloniza-
tion); Addresses and Speeches); (American
Churches the Bulwark of American Slavery. ?
yet unsettled territory south of Nashville, Ky. ,
and in 1811 he was admitted to the bar in
Nashville. He became a member of the State
Legislature. He served in the United States
army (1810-11 and 1812-13) and attained the
rank of lieutenant-colonel. He settled in St.
Louis, Mo. , in 1815, and established a
paper, the Missouri Inquirer, which he edited
news-
## p. 55 (#71) ##############################################
BENTZEL-STERNAU - BERGH
55
3
for many years. He was elected United States
Senator from Missouri in 1820, and continued
to hold that office for the next thirty years.
He was a champion of the rights of settlers on
the public lands; and of a gold and silver cur-
rency rather than paper money as a medium of
exchange (hence called “Old Bullion”). He
was a steadfast opponent of the Nullification
doctrine, of the repeal of the Missouri Com-
promise, and of the Kansas-Nebraska bill. He
was one of the earliest and most strenuous ad-
vocates of the building of a Pacific Railroad.
His chief publications are his (Thirty Years'
View) of the workings of the national govern-
ment (1854-56), and his (Abridgment of the De-
bates of Congress,' covering the period from the
foundation of the government to the year 1850.
Bentzel-Sternau, Count Karl Christian
Ernst von (bents'el stār'nou). A German
novelist and miscellaneous writer; born in
Mentz, April 9, 1767; died at Mariahalden,
Switzerland, Aug. 13, 1843. He is esteemed as
a humorist in the manner of Jean Paul; and his
satirical romances, (The Golden Calf? (1802-3),
(The Stone-Guest) (1808), 'Old Adam) (1819-
20), «The Master of the Chair, together form
a series.
Bentzon, Thérèse (bants-ôn”), pseudonym of
Marie Thérèse Blanc. A French novelist and
littérateur; born at Seine-Port, Sept. 21, 1840.
She has been for many years on the editorial
staff of the Revue des Deux Mondes, to
which she has contributed notable transla-
tions and reviews of many American, English,
and German authors. Her literary essays on
these contemporaneous writers were collected
in Foreign Literature and Customs) (1882)
and “Recent American Novelists) (1885). Her
first work to attract attention was (A Divorce)
(1871), published in the Journal des Débats.
Two other novels, (A Remorse) (1879) and
(Tony) (1889), were crowned by the French
Academy. Other stories are: (Georgette) and
Jacqueline (1893). The fruit of her first visit
to the United States was 'Condition of Woman
in the United States) (1895).
Beöthy, Zoltán (bė'tē). A Hungarian poet
and critic; born at Komorn, Sept. 4, 1848.
Since 1882 he has been professor of æsthetics
at the University of Buda-Pesth. His numer-
ous tales show unusual talent for psychological
delineation; among them are : (Judge Martin)
(1872); (The Nameless Ones) (1875); Ká-
lozdi Béla) (1875), a novel. His dramaturgic
studies and criticisms appeared under the
title (Playwrights and Actors) (1881). He has
also written an excellent history of Hungarian
literature (6th ed. 1891).
Béranger, Pierre Jean de (bā-ron-zhā'). A
French poet; born in Paris, Aug. 19, 1780;
died there, July 16, 1857. His father took him
to Paris in 1802; but they soon quarreled,
and he began life in that garret which became
famous. In 1804 Lucien Bonaparte helped him
out of his distress, by giving him a clerkship
in the Imperial University. Meanwhile he had
composed many convivial and political songs,
but it did not occur to him to write them
down until 1812. They were so universally sung
that he could have dispensed with the printing-
press. When his poems were published in
1815, he was recognized as the champion of
the faction opposed to the Bourbons. His pop-
ularity with the working-classes was immense,
and he made the song a powerful political
weapon. His republicanism and enthusiasm for
Napoleon suited the multitude. Two volumes
published in 1821 led to his imprisonment; and
another in 1825 caused a second incarceration.
(New Songs) appeared in 1830, and his (Auto-
biography) in 1840. In 1848 he was elected
to Parliament, but begged to be released.
His songs are full of wit, light-heartedness,
and musical grace, ranging in theme from
epicurean trivialties to passionate and burning
social and political satire. Among the best
are the King of Yvetot); (The Old Flag);
(The Old Corporal); ( Roger Bontemps); (My
Grandmother); "Little Red Man); Little
Gray Man); and (The Marquis of Carabas. *
Berchet, Giovanni (bār-shā o berk'et). An
Italian poet; born in Milan, Dec. 23, 1783; died
in Turin, March 23, 1851. He was a leader in
the school of poets and thinkers who sought
to restore Italian literature to its ancient emi.
nence by a purely national development. Com-
ing under suspicion of Carbonarism, he had
to quit his country, and lived several years
abroad. His songs and romantic ballads -
(Italian Poems) (1848) - made him the favor-
ite popular singer of Italy. His best perform-
ance is (The Fugitives of Parga. '
Berezik, Árpád (bār-sēk'). A Hungarian
dramatist; born at Temesvar, 1842 or 1852. He
studied at the University of Pesth, and almost
immediately upon his graduation became dis-
tinguished for his writings. Dramatic criticism
and comedy are his congenialities; Public
Affairs, (The Veterans,' and (In the Czechs'
Country, three very diverting plays, bringing
him his greatest fame.
Bergerat, Auguste Émile (berzh-rä'). A
French journalist, playwright, and novelist;
born in Paris, April 29, 1845. Son-in-law of
Théophile Gautier, and since 1884 particularly
known as the amusing chronicler of the Fi.
garo under the pseudonym of «Caliban. His
feuilletons for that paper were published col-
lectively as “Life and Adventures of Sieur
Caliban) (1886); (The Book of Caliban) (1887);
"Caliban's Laughter) (1890); etc. He also
wrote two novels : (Faublas in Spite of Him-
self? (1884); (The Rape) (1886); besides two
volumes to the memory of his father-in-law,
(Théophile Gautier, Painter) (1877), and (Th.
Gautier, Conversations, Souvenirs, and Corre-
spondence) (1879).
Bergh, Henry. A noted American philan-
thropist and miscellaneous writer; born in New
York, 1823; died there, March 12, 1888. He was
founder and president of the American Soci-
ety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
## p. 56 (#72) ##############################################
BERGH - BERNARDAKIS
56
)
(1866), founder of the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children (1881), sec-
retary of legation and acting vice-consul at St.
Petersburg (1862–64). He wrote : Love's Alter-
natives) (1881), a play; Married Off (1859),
a poem; (The Streets of New York); (The
Ocean Paragon); etc.
Bergh, Pieter Theodoor Helvetius van den
(berg). A Dutch dramatist and poet (1799-
1873); attracted attention with his comedy
(The Nephew) (1837), considered one of the
best modern Dutch literature, but did not
justify expectations by his subsequent dramatic
efforts. He also published a collection, Prose
and Poetry) (3d ed. 1863).
Bergk, Theodor (berk). A German classical
philologist; born in Leipsic, May 22, 1812;
died at Ragaz, Switzerland, July 20, 1881. He
became an indisputable authority on Hellenic
poetry, producing two works of surpassing im-
portance in that department of scholarship :
(Greek Lyric Poets) (4th ed. 1878–82), and
(History of Greek Literature) (1872); the lat-
ter not quite completed at his death, but brought
to perfection with the aid of his posthumous
papers. He contributed much of value, like-
wise, to our knowledge of special departments
of classical learning.
Bergsöe, Jörgen Vilhelm (berg'se). A Dan-
ish novelist, poet, and naturalist; born in
Copenhagen, Feb. 8, 1835. While suffering
partial blindness caused by excessive use of
the microscope in his memorable biological
researches at Messina, he turned to literary
composition; and soon appeared the first of a
cycle of novels, "From the Piazza del Popolo)
(1866), which had an extraordinary success.
The following year he published his first vol-
ume of poems, Now and Then. Of his many
novels, the one which excels for fineness of
touch is "Who Was He? ) All his stories are
characterized by rich imagination, fine observa-
tion, and great originality; his poetry is in-
ferior in these respects to his prose.
Berkeley, George, Bishop. A celebrated
Irish clergyman and author; born near Kil-
kenny, March 12, 1685; died at Oxford, Eng.
land, Jan. 14, 1753. He resided in America, at
Newport, R. I. , for about three years, begin-
ning 1728. His estate of Whitehall at Newport
he conveyed to Yale College for the mainte-
nance of scholarships. Among his published
works are the celebrated (Commonplace Book,
1703-6); Essay towards a New Theory of
Vision' (1709); The Principles of Human
Knowledge) (1710); “Dialogues between Hylas
and Philonous) (1713); (Alciphron, or the Mi-
nute Philosopher) (1732); “ The Analyst) (1735);
(Siris) (1744: on Tar-Water); and others. *
Berlichingen, Götz (Gottfried) von, of the
Iron Hand (ber'liċh-ing''en). A famous Ger-
man knight and autobiographer; born in Jagst.
hausen in the present kingdom of Würtem-
berg, 1480; died July 23, 1562. He became very
popular with the masses; this and other facts
concerning him being apparent his (Auto-
biography) (late ed. 1886), a work drawn upon
by Goethe for the play bearing his name.
Berlioz, Hector (bår-le-oz'). A great French
musical composer and critic; born near Gre-
noble, Dec. II, 1803; died in Paris, March 8,
1869. In 1830 his cantata (Sardanapalus) won
for him the prize of Rome,” which afforded
him the means of spending 18 months in Italy.
He had already made his mark in Paris with
the overtures (Waverley) and (The Vehm
Judges); and among the fruits of his studies
in Italy were the overture to (King Lear) and
the symphony (The Return to Life. Then fol-
lowed the long series of his musical works.
Among his literary works are (A Musical Tour
in Italy and Germany); (Orchestra Soirées);
and (Treatise on Instrumentation (1844). *
Bernard, Charles de (ber-när'). [Properly
Bernard du Grail de La Villette. ) A French
novelist ; born in Besançon, Feb. 25, 1804; died
at Neuilly, March 6, 1850. He was a disciple
of Balzac, whom he resembles in his power of
realistic description and psychological analysis ;
but he possesses a purer and more nervous
style, and above all is content with a less
minute elaboration of story and characters.
His first piece, “The Gerfalcon, made a hit
with its clever description of the literary cliques.
Everywhere he evinces clear insight into the
foibles of society. Of his novels, the following
may be named as only second in rank to his
masterpiece (The Gerfalcon): A Magistrate's
Adventure); (The Gordian Knot); (Wings of
Icarus ); «The Lion's Skin'; (The Country
Gentleman.
Bernard of Clairvaux or St. Bernard (ber-
närd' - klār-vo'). A French theologian, church
father, and saint; born at Fontaines, near
Dijon, 1091; died at Clairvaux, Jan. 12, 1153
His five books on (Reflection are written in
a clear and cheerful style; and the hymn,
Jesu! the Very Thought of Thee,' is in use
in all the churches of our day. *
Bernard of Cluny (klü-nē'). A French monk
and poet who flourished in the twelfth cen-
tury, and is noted for his work (On Con-
tempt of the World' (1597); but very little is
known of the author's life. *
Bernard de Ventadour (ber-när' dè ven-tä.
dör'). A French troubadour poet; born in
Ventadour (? ) about 1125 (? ); died in the mon-
astery at Dalon about 1197 (? ). Love songs (To
Eleonore,' and various amatory lays to courtly
dames, form the riches of his delicate verse.
Bernardakis, Demetrios (ber-när'däk-is").
A Greek poet, dramatist, and scholar; born at
Santa Marina, Lesbos, Dec. 2, 1834. After a
course of study at Athens and in German
universities, he was (with one considerable in-
termission) professor of history and philology
in the University of Athens from 1861 to 1882,
when he went back to Lesbos. He is author
of a spirited Pindaric ode for a jubilee occas-
ion, of several dramas, and of a satire, (The
Battle of Cranes and Mice); he has also written
## p. 57 (#73) ##############################################
BERNARDES - BESANT:
57
a (Universal History); a (Church History);
and a spirited tractate, Confutation of a False
Atticism,' directed against the would-be Attic
purists.
Bernardes, Diogo (ber-när'des). A Portu-
guese poet; born in Ponte de Lima, about
1530; died in 1605. He was called in his day
“the Sweet Singer of the Lima," a streamlet
immortalized in his verse. He left his native
valley in 1550 and attached himself to the
mastersinger Sá de Miranda, who lived retired
on his estate Quinta da Tapada, a devotee of
the Muses. Here Bernardes composed verses
in all kinds, elegies, sonnets, odes, songs, full of
tender sympathies and perfect melody. Here
he wrote: (The Lima); Various Rimes -
Flowers from Lima's Banks); «Various Rimes
to the Good Jesu.
Berneck, Gustave von. See Guseck.
Berners, Juliana. An English prioress and
writer; said to have been born in Essex, and
flourished in the fifteenth century. She was at
the head of a convent in Sopewell, and is
celebrated for her work on fishing, hunting,
and like pastimes, entitled “Book of St. Albans)
(1486). *
Bernhard, Karl (bārn'här), pseudonym of
Nicolai de Saint Aubain. A celebrated Danish
novelist; born in Copenhagen, Nov. 18, 1798;
died there, Nov. 25, 1865. His induction into
the republic of letters was under the auspices
of his noted kinswoman, Madame Gyllembourg.
The poet Heiberg was his uncle; the nephew
has almost overshadowed the older writer
through the brilliance of 'The Favorite of
Fortune, (Two Friends, (For and Against,
and many other novels, all founded either on
historical occurrences or the author's observa-
tions of contemporary life.
Bernhardi, Theodor von (bern-här'dē). A
German historian and diplomat; born in Ber-
lin, Nov. 6, 1802; died at Kunersdorf, Silesia,
Feb. 12, 1887. His diplomatic career was im-
portant, and afforded him special facilities for
compiling a “History of Russia and of Euro-
pean Politics during the Years 1814-31) (1863-
77); (Frederick the Great as a Military Com-
mander' (1881); and similar works, all of value.
Bernhardy, Gottfried. A German classical
philologist; born in Landsberg-on-the-Warthe,
March 20, 1800; died in Halle, May 14, 1875.
He lectured very brilliantly at the leading
universities, his principal works being (Greek
Syntax Scientifically Considered (1829), a his-
torical study of the subject; (Outlines of Ro.
man Literature) (5th ed. 1872); (Outlines of
Greek Literature) (part i. , 5th ed. 1892; part
ii. , 2d-3d ed. 1876-80; part iii. wanting), and a
supplement to the first-named treatise, entitled
Paralipomena (Omissions) in [the Work on)
Greek Syntax) (1854-62); although he has writ-
ten many other important books.
Bernstein, Aaron (bern'stin). A German
publicist and novelist (1812–84); born
Dantzic. He was in politics a radical and in
religion a reformer, and his life was a con-
tinued battle against obscurantism and con-
servatism. Yet he wrote some charming stories
of life among the Jews, among them Mendel
Gibbor) (1860). He wrote also some notable
historical sketches, as (The People's Years)
and (The Years of Reaction.
Berrian, William (ber'i-an). An American
Episcopal divine and religious writer; born
1787; died 1862. He was rector of Trinity
Church, New York (1830–62). Besides various
religious works, he wrote (Travels in France
and Italy) and a Historical Sketch of Trinity
Church.
Bersezio, Vittorio (ber-sets'yo). An Italian
novelist and playwright; born at Peveragno,
Piedmont, in 1830. Both as a writer of tales and
of comedies he is conspicuous for vivid and
faithful delineation of Piedmontese life; espe-
cially in his dialect comedies, among which
(The Misfortunes of Monssù Travett) is con-
sidered to be his masterpiece. He also wrote
an excellent historical work, (The Reign of
Victor Emanuel II. (1878-93).
Bertaut, Jean (bār-to). A French poet and
prelate; born in Caen, 1570; died 1611. He
seems to have entered holy orders as a result
of the favor he acquired at court through his
love poems, which comprise stanzas, odes,
and couplets, published as (Songs) (? ) (1602).
He also composed "canticles) on (The Con-
version of Henry IV. ,' as well as a funeral
oration in eulogy of the same monarch.
Berthet, Elie (ber-tā). A French novelist
(1815-91), of whose numerous works the best
known are: (The Storks' Nest (1848); (The
Catacombs of Paris) (1854); (The Good Old
Times) (1867); “Prehistoric Novels) (1876).
Berthold, Franz (ber-tõld'), pseudonym of
Adelheid Reinbold. A German novelist
(1802-39), warmly appreciated and furthered
by Ludwig Tieck. Her story Fred of the
Will-o'-the-Wisp' (1830) met with great favor;
after her death appeared King Sebastian
(1839), a historical romance, and Collected
Tales) (1842).
Bertin, Antoine (ber-tan').
A French poet
(1752-90), much admired by his contemporaries,
who, somewhat extravagantly, styled him the
French Propertius. He was a friend of Parny,
and like him excelled in elegiac and epistolary
verse. His principal works are: Voyage in
Burgundy) (1777) and (The Loves) (1780).
Besant, Walter, Sir (bes'ant). An English
novelist; born in Portsmouth in 1838. After
graduation at Cambridge, he went to Mauritius
as professor in the Royal College, but returned
to London, where he long was secretary of the
Palestine Exploration Fund. In 1871 he formed
a literary partnership with James Rice, which
continued until the death of the latter. They
wrote many novels, some of which were dram-
atized. Among them are: Ready Money
Mortiboy) (London, 1871); (The Golden But-
terfly) (1876); (The Seamy Side) (1881); and
at
## p. 58 (#74) ##############################################
58
BESTŰSHEFF - BICKMORE
:
(
(The Chaplain of the Fleet) (1881). Alone he
has written : (Studies in Early French Poetry)
(1868); (When George the Third was King)
( (1872); (The French Humorists) (1873); (All
Sorts and Conditions of Men) (1882), which
led to the establishment of the People's Pal-
ace in the East End of London; (All in a
Garden Fair) (1883); (Dorothy Forster) (1884);
(The World Went Very Well Then) (1887);
Armorel of Lyonnesse (1890); (St. Katha-
rine's By the Tower) (1891); “The Ivory Gate)
(1892); Beyond the Dreams of Avarice);
(The Master Craftsman); and others. He was
knighted in 1896. *
Bestúsheff, Alexander Alexandrovich (bes-
töʻzhef or bes-tö'shef). A Russian novelist and
soldier; born in St. Petersburg, Nov. 3, 1797
(not 1795); killed in battle in the Caucasus,
July 19, 1837. Of his numerous novels the
most celebrated are: (Ammalat-Beg); (The
Nadeshda Frigate); «The Terrible Prophecy. )
His Private Correspondence) is highly prized.
Bethune, George Washington (be-thön).
A distinguished American Dutch Reformed
clergyman and poet; born in New York, March
18, 1805; died at Florence, Italy, April 27,
1862. He was a most lovable man, noted as
an orator and a wit. He had charges at Rhine-
beck and Utica, N. Y. , Philadelphia, Brooklyn,
and New York city. Besides religious works
he wrote: (British Female Poets); Lays of
Love and Faith) (1847), several of the hymns
in which are widely used. He also published
an edition of Izaak Walton's 'Complete Angler)
(1846); etc.
Betteloni, Vittorio (bet-el-ö'nē). An Ital-
ian poet; born in Verona, 1840. He was edu-
cated in Pisa, and is now professor of Italian
literature and history in the Female College
in Verona. His verse proves him an adherent
of that Italian classical school which dates
from 1869, and includes: (In the Springtime)
(1869); New Stanzas) (1880); and a transla-
tion of Goethe's (Hermann and Dorothea.
Betts, Craven Langstroth. An American
poet and story-writer; born in New Brunswick,
1853. Besides translating (Songs from Béran-
ger) in the original metres, he wrote: (The
Perfume Holder, a Persian Love Poem); and
with A. W. H. Eaton, (Tales of a Garrison
Town.
Beyle, Marie-Henri (bāl), better known un-
der the pseudonym of “Stendhal. " A notable
French novelist and critic; born in Grenoble,
Jan. 23, 1783; died in Paris, March 23, 1842.
In spite of interruptions due to the political
upheavals in which he became involved, he
found time to display his critical and imagin-
ative genius in Rome, Naples, and Florence
in 1817,' (History of Painting in Italy, and
(About Love): but his celebrity now rests prin-
cipally upon (The Chartreuse (Carthusian Nun]
of Parma, a magnificent fiction, brilliantly ori-
ginal, witty, and absorbing; and to a less extent
upon (The Red and the Black) [i. e. , Priests
and Soldiers), a romance possible only to a
writer with the widest knowledge of men and
things. *
Bhatti (bhat-tē or bė-hat'te). An Indian
epic poet of the 6th or the 7th century. His
poem named after him “Bhattikâvyam' is in
22 cantos. Its theme is the deeds of Rama;
but the author designed the work to be also
an exemplification of the rules of grammatical
and rhetorical composition. It was published
with a twofold commentary at Calcutta (1828).
Bhavabhuti (bha-va-bhö'ti or bė-ha-va-bé.
hö'ti). An Indian dramatic poet next in celeb-
rity to Kâlidâsa; he lived in the 8th century.
His (Mâlatîmâdhava,' which might be entitled
(The Secret Marriage,' portrays Indian society
in effective traits. The Mahâvîratsharita'
("Fortunes of the Great Hero') deals with
the deeds of Râma and his victory over the
giant Râvana, ravisher of Sita, Râma's consort.
The Uttararâmatsharita) ("Other Fortunes of
Râma') portrays the long-suffering of Sîta and
her reconcilement with Râma, all in a sympa-
thetic vein and sometimes with great force.
Biart, Lucien (bē-är'). A French novelist,
poet, and writer of travels; born at Versailles,
June 21, 1829. He published a number of
novels, containing masterly descriptions of Mex-
ican and South-American nature and customs.
Among his works are: (The Mexican Women)
(1853), poems; Adventures of a Young Nat-
uralist) (1869); (The Clients of Dr. Bernagius)
(1873); (Across America' (1876), crowned by
the Academy.
Bibbiena (bēb-bē-ā'nä). [Bernardo Dovizio.
who was styled Bibbiena. ) An Italian poet;
born at Bibbiena, Aug. 4, 1470; died Nov. 9,
1520. For many years secretary to Cardinal
Giovanni de' Medici, in whose election as Pope
Leo X. he is said to have had a considerable
share, he was appointed treasurer, and soon
after raised to the dignity of cardinal. In this
dignity he became an ardent promoter of art
and science. His comedy (Calandria' is prob-
ably the earliest in Italian literature.
Bicci, Ersillo (bē'chē). An Italian poet;
born in Pisa, 1845. He studied in Florence,
and is now professor of Italian literature in
the Licei Dante and Toscanelli of that city.
His best is in the collection styled New
Verses.
Bickersteth, Edward Henry. An English
poet; born at Islington, Jan. 25, 1825 He is
a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, and
is noted for his scholarly devotional works;
but is most famous as a poet, -- (Yesterday, To-
day, and Forever) being particularly admired.
Bickmore, Albert Smith. An American
naturalist and writer of travels; born at St.
George's, Me. , March 1, 1839. An extensive
traveler in the East, he founded and is curator
of the museum of natural history at Central
Park, New York. Besides scientific publica-
tions, he has written: (Travels in the East
Indian Archipelago) (1869); A Journey from
Canton to Hankow) (1868); etc.
## p. 59 (#75) ##############################################
BIDDLE - BILLAUT
59
Biddle, Anthony Joseph Drexel (bid'l).
An American publisher, journalist, and miscel-
laneous writer; born in Pennsylvania, 1874.
He has written: A Dual Rôle, and Other
Stories); An Allegory and Three Essays);
(The Madeira Islands); (The Froggy Fairy
Book.
Biddle, Nicholas. A noted American finan-
cier and writer; born in Philadelphia, Jan. 8,
1786; died there, Feb. 27, 1844. He was presi-
dent of the United States Bank 1823-39, during
Jackson's war against its being the depository
of the government moneys, and the later specu-
lations which ruined it. Besides miscellaneous
writings, he published a (Commercial Digest,'
and History of the Expedition under Lewis
and Clarke to the Pacific Ocean. )
Biedermann, Karl (bē'der-män). A Ger-
man historian and publicist; born in Leipsic,
Sept. 25, 1812. His influence in public affairs,
although indirect, has long been considerable :
and as a writer of literary and philosophical
history he has struck out a path of his own
with (Germany in the Eighteenth Century) (2d
ed. in part, 1880); (German Philosophy from
Kant's Day to Our Own (1842-43); (Thirty
Years of German History, 1840–70) (2d ed.
1883); and many other allied studies.
Bielovski, August (bē-lov'skē). A Polish
poet (1806–76); born at Krechowice, Galicia.
Among his poetical compositions is to be men-
tioned the historical rhapsody (Lay of Henry
the Pious. He wrote a Critical Introduction
to the History of Poland.
Bierbaum, Otto Jullus (bēr'boum). A Ger-
man poet; born in Grüneberg, Silesia, June 28,
1865. He is a rising man of letters; his (Songs
of Experience (or “Poems That Were Lived))
(1892) is as yet his most noteworthy volume.
Biernatzki, Johann Christoph (bēr-näts’kē).
A German pietist, poet, and story-writer; born
at Elmshorn, Holstein, Oct. 17, 1795; died at
Friedrichstadt, May 11, 1840. A country pastor,
he devoted himself to the versification of his
own precepts and beliefs, the volume (Faith)
being the result. In (The Brown Boy, and
(Hallig, or the Adventures of Castaways on an
Island in the North Sea, he displays a not
unpleasing capacity for prose narrative.
Biester, João Ernesto (bēs'ter). A Portu-
guese dramatist (1829-80); born at Lisbon. He
wrote some 90 plays, the most noteworthy
among them being «The Nineteenth-Century
Gentleman); Luck and Labor); and (The
Scandal-Mongers. '
Bigelow, John. An American author and
diplomat; born in Malden, N. Y. , Nov. 25, 1817.
After graduation from Union College in 1835,
he studied law, and in 1849 became associated
with William Cullen Bryant in the New York
Evening Post, of which he was managing
editor until 1861. He was consul in Paris,
1861-65; U. S. minister to France, 1865-67; and
held important offices on his return to Ne
York. His specialty is American biography
and history, and his books include: "Life of
John C. Fremont) (1856); Lafayette (1882);
Molinos, the Quietist! (1882); Life of Will-
iam Cullen Bryant) (1889); (The United States
of America, in French (1863); and France
and the Confederate Navy) (1888). He edited
the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin from
the original manuscript, which he found in
France, and later the complete works of Frank-
lin (10 vols. , 1887-88).
Bigelow, Poultney. An American bio-
graphical and historical writer; born in New
York, N. Y. , Sept. 10, 1855. He is the son of
John Bigelow; was educated at Yale College
and in Germany; and is the author of : (The
German Emperor) (1892); Paddles and Poli-
tics down the Danube) (1892); Borderland
of Czar and Kaiser) (1894); and (History of
the German Struggle for Liberty) 1896).
Bijns, Anna (binz). A noted Flemish poet;
born in Antwerp, 1494; died there, April 10,
1575. Much admired for her melodious verses,
full of metaphors and showing great technical
skill, she was styled the “Brabantine Sappho »
by her contemporaries. The first of her vol-
umes of collected verse bore the title (This is
a Beautiful and Truthful for (Sincere'] Little
Book); while a second is known as “Spiritual
Refrains.
Bikelas, Dimitrios (bē-kā'las). An emi-
nent Greek poet and essayist; born at Her-
mopolis, in the island of Syra, in 1835. After
completing his studies, he went to London,
where his parents had settled, and since 1874 he
has lived in Paris. After having published a
collection of his poems in London in 1862, he
devoted himself to the task of making Shake-
speare's dramas known in Greece through ex-
cellent metrical translations. As a prose-writer
he has won wide reputation with his tale (Lukis
Laras) (1879), which was translated into thir-
teen languages.
Bilderdijk, Willem (bil'der-dik). A cele-
brated Dutch poet; born at Amsterdam, Sept.
7, 1756; died Dec. 18, 1831. He reached the
highest point of his lyric genius in the (Mis-
cellaneous Poems) and patriotic pieces, nota-
bly the hymn (Willem Frederik) and (The
True Love of Fatherland. Of his great didactic
poems most are imitations; e. g. , the Country
Life, after a French original; Man, after
Pope's 'Essay on Man. His epic, Destruction
of the First World,' a work not unworthy of
his genius, was left uncompleted. *
Billaut, Adam (bē-yo'), better known as
(Maître Adam” (Father Adam). A French
poet; born at the beginning of the 17th cen.
tury; died 1662. A carpenter by trade, he
wrote rude but original poems, the gayety of
which, together with the contrast they afforded
with his occupation, made them very popular
at the time. Voltaire called him “Virgil with
the Plane. " The three collections of his poems
ntitled “The Pegs, (The Centre-Bit,
and (The Plane. )
1
1
1
1
1
were
## p. 60 (#76) ##############################################
60
BILLINGS- BISSELL
(
:
Billings, John Shaw. An American surgeon
and medical and hygienic writer; born in In-
diana, 1838. He was librarian of the surgeon-
general's office, Washington; president of the
American Public Health Association (1880);
he is now chief librarian of the New York
Library (the combined Astor, Lenox, and Til-
den libraries). His chief work is a voluminous
Index-Catalogue) (1880) of the library of the
surgeon-general's office. He has written also:
(Hygienics of the United States Army Bar-
racks); Mortality and Vital Statistics of the
United States Army) (1880); "Ventilation and
Heating' (1884), revised and enlarged 1893,- a
very comprehensive and authoritative work.
Billings, Josh. See Shaw, Henry W.
Bion (bi'on). A Greek pastoral poet; born
near Smyrna in the 3d century B. C. He ap-
pears to have passed the latter part of his life
in Sicily. His pastorals betray a degree of
refinement and sentimentality not found in the
earlier and more spontaneous bucolic poets.
Still extant is his "Lament for Adonis, often
imitated by subsequent poets. Besides this
there remain of his works only short pieces,
many of them fragmentary. *
Birch-Pfeiffer, Charlotte (bērch-pfi'fèr). A
German actress and dramatist (1800-68). She
joined the Court Theatre Company at Munich
at the age of 13 years; at 18 she had won
distinction in tragic rôles. She married Chris-
tian Birch in 1825; thereafter till her death
she was in active relations with the stage,
whether as actress or conductress. Her numer-
ous dramatic compositions were produced on
nearly every stage in Germany. They evince
remarkable skill in the employment of stage
effects. Her plays are in many instances
grounded on novels; among them are : (Graf-
fenstein Castle); (The Favorites); (The Bell-
Ringers of Notre Dame) (Victor Hugo);
(The Woman in White) (Wilkie Collins);
(The Orphan of Lowood' (Charlotte Brontë).
Bird, Robert Montgomery. An American
dramatist and novelist; born in Newcastle,
Del. , Feb. 5, 1805 (? ); died in Philadelphia, Pa. ,
Jan. 22, 1854. He was the author of three trage-
dies : Oraloosa); (The Broker of Bogota); and
(The Gladiator, frequently played by Forrest.
His novels include: (Calavar) (1834); (The
Infidel' (1835); “Nick of the Woods) (1837);
Peter Pilgrim (1838); and (Robin Day)
(1839).
Birney, James Gillespie. A noted Ameri-
can statesman and publicist ; born at Danville,
Ky. , Feb. 4, 1792; died at Perth Amboy, N. J. ,
Nov. 25, 1857. Though a Southern planter, he
emancipated his slaves and became a promi.
nent anti-slavery leader in the South, proprietor
and editor of the anti-slavery journal The Phi-
lanthropist, etc. He was candidate of the "Lib.
erty) party for President (1840 and 1844). He
wrote: (Ten Letters on Slavery and Coloniza-
tion); Addresses and Speeches); (American
Churches the Bulwark of American Slavery. ?
