Biographical Outlines Part 6

JOHN BUNYAN.

16281688.-Charles I.-Charles II.-James II.

Born in Bedfords.h.i.+re, where he began life as a tinker, then enlisted as a soldier in the Parliamentary army, and ended by preaching, for which he suffered imprisonment for twelve years. While in prison he wrote his famous allegory _The Pilgrim's Progress_, and several others, by which his name will always be known.

JOHN DRYDEN.

Born 1631.-Died 1700.-Charles I.-Charles II.-James II.-William III.

The translator of _Virgil_ and the author of _The Hind and Panther_ and other celebrated political and descriptive poems of singular energy and force. His plays also are well known. He was born at Aldwinkle, in Northamptons.h.i.+re.

JOHN LOCKE.

Born 1632.-Died 1704.-Charles I.-Charles II.-James II.-William III.

A celebrated philosopher and man of learning, was born at Wrington, near Bristol. He wrote the essay upon the Conduct of the Human Understanding.

JOHN EVELYN.

Born 1620.-Died 1706.-James I.-Charles I.-Charles II.-James II.-William III.-Anne.

This Surrey country gentleman was remarkable as a naturalist and man of literature. He wrote a famous Diary, and "_Silva_," or account of Forest Trees; also on engraving.

THOMAS KEN.

Born 1637.-Died 1711.-Charles I.-Charles II.-James II.-William and Mary.-Anne.

Bishop of Bath and Wells. The friend and relative of Isaac Walton. Was appointed to the bishop.r.i.c.k of Bath and Wells by King Charles II. He refused to take the oath of allegiance to William and Mary, and was consequently deprived of his see. He was one of the most eminent of those who for this refusal were called _Nonjurors_. He was the author of _The Evening Hymn_, and other pious works.

JOHN FLAMSTEAD.

Born 1646.-Died 1719.-Charles I.-Charles II.-James II.-William III.-Anne.-George I.

The first astronomer-royal after Greenwich Observatory was built. He made many astronomical discoveries, and drew up the catalogue of the stars seen in our astronomical hemisphere.

JOSEPH ADDISON.

Born 1672.-Died 1719.-Charles II.-James II.-William III.-Anne.-George I.

Was born at Milston, in Wilts.h.i.+re, of which his father was Rector, and educated at the Charter House and Magdalene College, Oxford. He is chiefly known by his papers in the _Spectator_ and _Tatler_. His style was pure and flowing, though more polished and artificial than the English of the present day. He held several appointments, and became Secretary of State. He died at Holland House, Kensington.

JOHN CHURCHILL,

Born 1650.-Died 1722.-Charles II.-James II.-William III.-Anne.-George I.

Duke of Marlborough. This celebrated general, born in Devons.h.i.+re, went to court as a page under Charles II. He married the beautiful Sarah Jennings, became attached to the Duke of York (James II.), and rose rapidly, through his great military genius. James II. created him Lord Churchill, and by basely forsaking him for William III., he was created Earl of Marlborough. In the war of the Spanish Succession (1702) Marlborough dashed from the Low Countries (Belgium) to Bavaria, and defeated the French and their allies at Donauwert, Blenheim (on the Danube, thirty-three miles from Ulm), Ramilies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, and Arleux, and in numberless smaller engagements. After the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, Marlborough was created a Duke, and received from the nation a property and splendid palace near Woodstock, built by Sir John Vanbrugh, and called Blenheim. Marlborough was unhappy in his private life.

SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN.

Born 1632.-Died 1723.-Charles I.-Charles II.-James II.-William III.-Anne.-George I.

Was born at East Knoyle, in Wilts.h.i.+re. He was the greatest architect of his age, after Italian models. He did not understand the principles of Pointed, or what is called Gothic Architecture. Besides re-building many of the churches destroyed by the great fire of London, he built the Theatre at Oxford and re-built St. Paul's Cathedral, which is the greatest of his works. The Latin inscription to him to be read there justly says, "If you seek for his monument, look around you."

SIR ISAAC NEWTON.

Born 1642.-Died 1727.-Charles I.-Charles II.-James II.-William III.-Anne.-George I.

This great man was a native of Woolsthorpe, in Lincolns.h.i.+re; he has been called the founder of natural philosophy. He made great discoveries in astronomy by applying the principle of gravitation to the planets; and established important facts in optics and mathematics. His great works were the _Principia_ and _Optics_. He was a man of the gentlest disposition, and was so una.s.suming and modest that he seemed unaware of his own genius. He died at Kensington.