Biographical Outlines Part 8

LAWRENCE STERNE,

Born 1738.-Died 1768.-George II.-George III.

Born at Clonmel in Ireland, was author of _The Sentimental Journey_, _Tristram Shandy_, and other works.

GEORGE WHITFIELD,

Born 1714.-Died 1770.-Anne.-George I.-George II.-George III.

The founder of the sect of Calvinistic Methodists, was born in Gloucesters.h.i.+re, was educated at the Crypt School there, and at Pembroke College, Oxford, and first displayed there his extraordinary powers as an eloquent and forcible preacher. He worked with the Wesleys in Georgia in America, until differences arose, which divided the Methodists into two sects, and he died the rival of Wesley, near Boston, in the United States.

DR. TOBIAS SMOLLETT,

Born 1721.-Died 1771.-George I.-George II.-George III.

Born in Scotland, was a physician, but is best known as the author of a very poor continuation of _Hume's History of England_, and very powerful and striking novels, the talent of which is defaced by coa.r.s.eness and want of religious principle. He died at Leghorn.

JAMES BRINDLEY,

Born 1716.-Died 1772.-George I.-George II.-George III.

A mechanic of extraordinary abilities, born at Thornsett, in Derbys.h.i.+re.

He planned the Bridgewater ca.n.a.l from Worsley to Manchester, and several other great works of inland navigation.

ROBERT LORD CLIVE.

Born 1725.-Died 1774.-George I.-George II.-George III.

A famous General in the East India Company's Service, born at Styche, in Shrops.h.i.+re. He fought the French under Count Lalley, and took from them Ponticherry and Chandanagore. He defeated the Nabob of Bengal, Surajah Dowlah, who put 146 English prisoners into the Black Hole of Calcutta-twenty feet square-and after the battle of Pla.s.sey he secured for England the Empire of India. Lord Clive was called by the Hindoos "The Daring in War." He was impeached for using his position to enrich himself, but acquitted, and committed suicide.

OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

Born 1728.-Died 1774.-George II.-George III.

Born at Pallas, near Longford, in Ireland. He wrote by turns prose, poetry, and plays. His poems of _The Deserted Village_ and _The Traveller_, and his tale of the _Vicar of Wakefield_, are almost equally famous.

DAVID HUME.

Born 1711.-Died 1776.-Anne.-George I.-George II.-George III.

Wrote the History of England and Essays. His writings are sadly tinged with unbelief and bitterness. He was born and died in Edinburgh.

WILLIAM PITT,

Born 1708.-Died 1778.-Anne.-George I.-George II.-George III.

Lord Chatham. This great statesman, the son of Mr. Robert Pitt of Boconnoc, in Cornwall, during a most successful administration, raised the dignity of England to a high standard. His eloquence as a debater was extraordinary, and when he burst forth in indignant invective, scarcely any adversary could stand against him. He was seized with his last illness (apoplexy) in the House of Lords, and died soon afterwards.

CAPTAIN JAMES COOK.

Born 1728.-Died 1779.-George II.-George III.

This great navigator, born at Marton, in Yorks.h.i.+re, made many useful geographical discoveries. He sailed three times round the world, and was at last killed in one of the Sandwich Islands.

DAVID GARRICK,

Born 1716.-Died 1779.-George I.-George II.-George III.