Biographical Outlines Part 5

BEN JONSON.

Born 1574-Died 1637.-Elizabeth.-James I.-Charles I.

This celebrated English poet and dramatist was born in Westminster.

After serving to his credit as a soldier in the Netherlands, he became a player and dramatic writer. He was distinguished for his wit, learning, and various information, as well as for his writings. He was made Poet Laureate by James I.

JOHN HAMPDEN.

Born 1594.-Died 1643.-James I.-Charles I.

This brave gentleman, born at Great Hampden, in Buckinghams.h.i.+re, distinguished as a patriot, was the first to refuse payment of the s.h.i.+pmoney levied by Charles I. He was one of the foremost of those who reasonably opposed the king's unconst.i.tutional acts. He was killed at the battle of Chalgrove, near Oxford.

VANd.y.k.e.

Born 1598.-Died 1641.-Elizabeth.-James I.-Charles I.

This famous Flemish portrait painter was a pupil of Rubens, but imitated t.i.tian in his warm, rich colouring. He lived in England for many years, being much patronised by Charles I.

WILLIAM LAUD,

Born 1573-Died 1644.-Elizabeth.-James I.-Charles I.

Archbishop of Canterbury, was born in Berks.h.i.+re, and educated at the grammar school, Reading, and at St. John's College, Oxford, of which he became President. As Primate in the turbulent reign of Charles I., he was a.s.sociated with repressive measures against the Puritans, to whom he made himself so obnoxious that through their instrumentality he was beheaded on Tower Hill.

INIGO JONES.

Born 1572.-Died 1652.-Elizabeth.-James I.-Charles I.

An architect, born in London in 1572. He designed many imposing public buildings in his own peculiar style-the Banqueting House, Whitehall, the Church and Piazza of Covent Garden, etc.; many stately brick and stone country houses were also built by him. He has been called the "British Vitruvius."

ADMIRAL BLAKE.

Born 1598.-Died 1657.-Elizabeth.-James I.-Charles I.

Born at Bridgewater in Somersets.h.i.+re. He was first distinguished as a Parliamentary General. He afterwards raised the name of the English navy, under Cromwell, to almost its greatest height. He burnt nine pirate s.h.i.+ps in Tunis Harbour, and after a series of battles and brilliant victories, in which he several times defeated the Dutch under Van Tromp, he carried off the spoil of several rich Spanish plate galleons at Teneriffe. That same year, just as his well-known s.h.i.+p the _St. George_ was entering Plymouth sound, Blake, worn out with toil and disease, breathed his last.

DR. WILLIAM HARVEY.

Born 1578.-Died 1657.-Elizabeth.-James I.-Charles I.

This eminent man of science, born at Folkestone in Kent, was physician extraordinary to James I. and Charles I. He was the first discoverer of the circulation of the blood, but his great modesty of character prevented him from making it known till many years after.

JEREMY TAYLOR.

Born 1613.-Died 1667.-James I.-Charles I.-Charles II.

Born at Cambridge, became Bishop of Down and Connor, in Ireland. He was chaplain to Charles I., and was present during several of his campaigns.

After the royal martyr's death he kept a school in Wales, and there wrote the beautiful devotional works by which his name will be remembered.

JOHN MILTON.

Born 1608.-Died 1674.-James I.-Charles I.-Charles II.

This great poet, born in Bread Street, London, was Cromwell's Latin Secretary, and was strongly imbued with republican opinions. His _Paradise Lost_ and _Paradise Regained_ are models of sublime verse; and _Comus_ and many smaller poems and sonnets are full of beauty and learning. Milton was totally blind, and was obliged to dictate his poems to his daughter, who wrote for him. He was buried in St. Giles' church, Cripplegate, London.

SIR PETER LELY.

Born 1617.-Died 1680.-James I.-Charles I.-Charles II.

A celebrated portrait painter, whose pictures are full of grace and exquisite colouring. He painted the well-known beauties of the court of Charles II.