A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature | Page 4

is that in Bohn's British Classics (6 vols.,
1856); others are Tickell's (4 vols., 1721); Baskerville edit. (4 vols.,
1761); Hurd's (6 vols., 1811); Greene's (1856); Dent's Spectator (1907).
ADOLPHUS, JOHN (1768-1845).--Historian, studied law and was
called to the Bar in 1807. He wrote Biographical Memoirs of the
French Revolution (1799) and History of England from 1760-1783
(1802), and other historical and biographical works.

ÆLFRED (849-901).--King of the West Saxons, and writer and
translator, s. of Ethelwulf, b. at Wantage. Besides being the deliverer of
his country from the ravages of the Danes, and the restorer of order and
civil government, Æ. has earned the title of the father of English prose
writing. The earlier part of his life was filled with war and action, most
of the details regarding which are more or less legendary. But no
sooner had he become King of Wessex, in 871, than he began to
prepare for the work of re-introducing learning into his country.
Gathering round him the few scholars whom the Danes had left, and
sending for others from abroad, he endeavoured to form a literary class.
His chief helper in his great enterprise was Asser of St. David's, who
taught him Latin, and became his biographer in a "life" which remains
the best original authority for the period. Though not a literary artist, Æ.
had the best qualities of the scholar, including an insatiable love alike
for the acquisition and the communication of knowledge. He translated
several of the best books then existing, not, however, in a slavish
fashion, but editing and adding from his own stores. In all his work his
main desire was the good of his people. Among the books he translated
or edited were (1) The Handbook, a collection of extracts on religious
subjects; (2) The Cura Pastoralis, or Herdsman's book of Gregory the
Great, with a preface by himself which is the first English prose; (3)
_Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English; (4) The English
Chronicle_, which, already brought up to 855, he continued up to the
date of writing; it is probably by his own hand; (5) Orosius's History of
the World, which he adapted for English readers with many historical
and geographical additions; (6) the De Consolatione Philosophiæ of
Boethius; and (7) a translation of some of the Psalms. He also made a
collection of the best laws of his predecessors, Ethelbert, Ine, and Offa.
It has been said "although King Alfred lived a thousand years ago, a
thousand years hence, if there be England then, his memory will yet be
precious to his country."
ÆLFRIC (955-c. 1022).--Called Grammaticus (10th century),
sometimes confounded with two other persons of the same name, Æ. of
Canterbury and Æ. of York, was a monk at Winchester, and afterwards
Abbot of Cerne and Eynsham successively. He has left works which
shed an important light on the doctrine and practice of the early Church

in England, including two books of homilies (990-94), a Grammar,
Glossary, Passiones Sanctorum (Sufferings of the Saints), translations
of parts of the Bible with omissions and interpolations, Canones
Ælfrici, and other theological treatises. His writings had an influence
on the formation of English prose. He filled in his age somewhat the
same position that Bede did in his, that of a compiler and populariser of
existing knowledge.
AGUILAR, GRACE (1816-1847).--Novelist and writer on Jewish
history and religion, was b. at Hackney of Jewish parents of Spanish
descent. She was delicate from childhood, and early showed great
interest in history, especially Jewish. The death of her f. threw her on
her own resources. After a few dramas and poems she pub. in America
in 1842 _Spirit of Judaism, and in 1845 The Jewish Faith and The
Women of Israel_. She is, however, best known by her novels, of
which the chief are _Home Influence (1847) and A Mother's
Recompense_ (1850). Her health gave way in 1847, and she d. in that
year at Frankfort.
AIKIN, JOHN (1747-1822).--Miscellaneous writer, s. of Dr. John A.,
Unitarian divine, b. at Kibworth, studied medicine at Edinburgh and
London, and received degree of M.D. at Leyden. He began practice at
Yarmouth but, one of his pamphlets having given offence, he removed
to London, where he obtained some success in his profession, devoting
all his leisure to literature, to which his contributions were incessant.
These consisted of pamphlets, translations, and miscellaneous works,
some in conjunction with his sister, Mrs. Barbauld. Among his chief
works are England Delineated, General Biography in 10 vols., and
lives of Selden and Ussher.
AIKIN, LUCY (1781-1864).--Historical and miscellaneous writer, dau.
of above and niece of Mrs. Barbauld (q.v.). After pub. a poem, Epistles
on Women, and a novel, Lorimer, she began the historical works on
which her reputation chiefly rests, viz., _Memoirs of the Courts of
Elizabeth, James I.,