an English diplomat of the Tudor period. In 1509, he accompanied Cardinal Christopher Bainbridge, Archbishop of York, to Rome, and he remained in the service of the Archbishop until that man's death by poisoning in 1514; he was instrumental in bringing the murderer to justice. In 1515, upon his return to England, he entered the service of Cardinal more

an English diplomat of the Tudor period. In 1509, he accompanied Cardinal Christopher Bainbridge, Archbishop of York, to Rome, and he remained in the service of the Archbishop until that man's death by poisoning in 1514; he was instrumental in bringing the murderer to justice. In 1515, upon his return to England, he entered the service of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey where he was employed in diplomacy and espionage. In 1515, Pace became Wolsey's secretary and in 1516 a secretary of state, although he continued to engage in lengthy correspondence with the Cardinal on his orders.

a Spanish painter, best known as the teacher and father-in-law of Diego Velázquez and Alonzo Cano, and for his textbook on painting that is an important source for the study of 17th-century practice in Spain. He is described by some as the "Vasari of Seville": vo...

a Spanish painter, best known as the teacher and father-in-law of Diego Velázquez and Alonzo Cano, and for his textbook on painting that is an important source for the study of 17th-century practice in Spain. He is described by some as the "Vasari of Seville": voluble and didactic about his theories of painting and thoughts about painters, conventional and uninspired in his executions

a Spanish Jesuit missionary in Ethiopia. Páez is considered by many experts on Ethiopia to be the most effective Catholic missionary in Ethiopia. He is believed to be the first European to see and describe the source of the Blue Nile. His two-volume História da Ethiópia (History of Ethiopia) is regarded by scholars of Ethiopian history as one of the most ...

a Spanish Jesuit missionary in Ethiopia. Páez is considered by many experts on Ethiopia to be the most effective Catholic missionary in Ethiopia. He is believed to be the first European to see and describe the source of the Blue Nile. His two-volume História da Ethiópia (History of Ethiopia) is regarded by scholars of Ethiopian history as one of the most valuable and accurate works on the contemporary Solomonic Empire and its history (as understood by local sources) up to his own time, particularly as the works of local writers, despite the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's long tradition of literate monastic scholarship and the regular compilation of Imperial chronicles, have in large part either been lost in the centuries of intermittent conflict that followed, or have otherwise remained unknown to contemporary scholarship.

an English clergyman and heresiographer. His Heresiography of 1645 was a precursor of the better-known Gangraena, and is a well-referenced account of contemporary sectarian Protestantism in England. In fact the Oxford English Dictionary indicates that the title of this book was a neologism, derived by analogy from Christianography, an earlier title, to indic...

an English clergyman and heresiographer. His Heresiography of 1645 was a precursor of the better-known Gangraena, and is a well-referenced account of contemporary sectarian Protestantism in England. In fact the Oxford English Dictionary indicates that the title of this book was a neologism, derived by analogy from Christianography, an earlier title, to indicate a catalogue or classification of heretics. By political conviction Pagit was a royalist, but he was sufficiently opposed to the religious Independents to support Presbyterianism.

an American portrait artist in New England in the 19th century. She published poetry, a Christmas hymn, a novel, and an autobiography entitled Roses and Thorns, or Recollections of an Artist. She traveled throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine accepting commissions for portraits of individuals or families from 1826 through 1862. Paine was "a woman...

an American portrait artist in New England in the 19th century. She published poetry, a Christmas hymn, a novel, and an autobiography entitled Roses and Thorns, or Recollections of an Artist. She traveled throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine accepting commissions for portraits of individuals or families from 1826 through 1862. Paine was "a woman of stalwart proportions, weighing over 200 pounds, and was a very original character. . ." She was also described as a idealist.

an English-American political activist, philosopher, political theorist and revolutionary. One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, he authored the two most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, and he inspired the rebels in 1776 to declare independence from Britain. His ideas reflected Enlightenment-era rhetoric of transnat...

an English-American political activist, philosopher, political theorist and revolutionary. One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, he authored the two most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, and he inspired the rebels in 1776 to declare independence from Britain. His ideas reflected Enlightenment-era rhetoric of transnational human rights. He has been called "a corsetmaker by trade, a journalist by profession, and a propagandist by inclination".

an English archivist and historian. He was Deputy Keeper (chief executive) of the Public Record Office from its foundation in 1838 until his death; and he is also remembered for his many scholarly publications. Palgrave was called to the bar in 1827 (after a long period working for solicitors, 1803–1822). In 1822, he had advocated publishing the national r...

an English archivist and historian. He was Deputy Keeper (chief executive) of the Public Record Office from its foundation in 1838 until his death; and he is also remembered for his many scholarly publications. Palgrave was called to the bar in 1827 (after a long period working for solicitors, 1803–1822). In 1822, he had advocated publishing the national records, and from 1827 he edited several volumes of medieval texts for the Record Commission

a Prussian zoologist and botanist who worked in Russia between 1767 and 1810. Peter Simon Pallas was born in Berlin, the son of Professor of Surgery Simon Pallas. He studied with private tutors and took an interest in natural history, later attending the University of Halle and the University of Göttingen. In 1760, he moved to the University of Leiden and p...

a Prussian zoologist and botanist who worked in Russia between 1767 and 1810. Peter Simon Pallas was born in Berlin, the son of Professor of Surgery Simon Pallas. He studied with private tutors and took an interest in natural history, later attending the University of Halle and the University of Göttingen. In 1760, he moved to the University of Leiden and passed his doctor's degree at the age of 19.

a Prussian physician. Pallas was born in Berlin, where he remained through his life. He was professor of surgery at the Collegium medico-chirurgicum, and first surgeon at the Charité hospital. He was considered a bold surgeon, and wrote a number of textbooks on the subject. He was the father of famous zoologist and botanist Peter Simon Pallas, and of physic...

a Prussian physician. Pallas was born in Berlin, where he remained through his life. He was professor of surgery at the Collegium medico-chirurgicum, and first surgeon at the Charité hospital. He was considered a bold surgeon, and wrote a number of textbooks on the subject. He was the father of famous zoologist and botanist Peter Simon Pallas, and of physician August Friedrich Pallas.

a Spanish painter of the Baroque period, and a writer on art, author of El Museo pictórico y escala óptica, which contains a large amount of important biographical material on Spanish artists. He studied philosophy, theology and law at Córdoba, and had lessons in painting from Juan de Valdés Leal, who visited there in 1672, and afterwards from Juan de Al...

a Spanish painter of the Baroque period, and a writer on art, author of El Museo pictórico y escala óptica, which contains a large amount of important biographical material on Spanish artists. He studied philosophy, theology and law at Córdoba, and had lessons in painting from Juan de Valdés Leal, who visited there in 1672, and afterwards from Juan de Alfaro y Gamez in 1675. He married a lady of rank, and, having been appointed alcalde of the mesta, was himself ennobled; in 1688 he was appointed painter to King Charles II. Palomino's El Museo pictórico y escala óptica first appeared in 1715–24 in a three-volume folio edition. The first two parts, on the theory and practice of the art of painting, have had little influence.

a priest of Henry VIII of England's court. He is known as a tutor in the royal household, and as a textbook author. He composed L'esclarcissement de la langue francoyse (printed in 1530 in London and dedicated to Henry VIII). This book — written in English despit...

a priest of Henry VIII of England's court. He is known as a tutor in the royal household, and as a textbook author. He composed L'esclarcissement de la langue francoyse (printed in 1530 in London and dedicated to Henry VIII). This book — written in English despite its French title — is said to be the first grammar of the French language. Its purpose was to help Englishmen who wanted to learn French.

a Swiss physician, alchemist, lay theologian, and philosopher of the German Renaissance. He was a pioneer in several aspects of the "medical revolution" of the Renaissance, emphasizing the value of observation in combination with received wisdom. He is credited as the "father of toxicology". Paracelsus also had a substantial impact as a prophet or diviner, h...

a Swiss physician, alchemist, lay theologian, and philosopher of the German Renaissance. He was a pioneer in several aspects of the "medical revolution" of the Renaissance, emphasizing the value of observation in combination with received wisdom. He is credited as the "father of toxicology". Paracelsus also had a substantial impact as a prophet or diviner, his "Prognostications" being studied by Rosicrucians in the 1600s. Paracelsianism is the early modern medical movement inspired by the study of his works. "Paracelsus sought a universal knowledge that was not found in books or faculities" thus, between 1517 and 1524, he embarked on a series of extensive travels around Europe.

a French writer and poet, of a family originally of Scots origin. He was appointed royal historiographer to Louis XV of France. His parody of owlishly pedantic scholarship, Histoire des chats, and the protection of the house of Orléans gained him entry to the Académie française. Maurepas records in his memoirs that at the induction ceremony, a member let ...

a French writer and poet, of a family originally of Scots origin. He was appointed royal historiographer to Louis XV of France. His parody of owlishly pedantic scholarship, Histoire des chats, and the protection of the house of Orléans gained him entry to the Académie française. Maurepas records in his memoirs that at the induction ceremony, a member let loose a cat he had secreted in his pocket: the cat miaowed, the Académiciens miaowed and the serious oration dissolved in laughter.

a French barber surgeon who served in that role for kings Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III. He is considered one of the fathers of surgery and modern forensic pathology and a pioneer in surgical techniques and battlefield medicine, especially in the t...

a French barber surgeon who served in that role for kings Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III. He is considered one of the fathers of surgery and modern forensic pathology and a pioneer in surgical techniques and battlefield medicine, especially in the treatment of wounds. He was also an anatomist and invented several surgical instruments. He was also part of the Parisian Barber Surgeon guild.

a Scottish explorer of the African continent. He was the first Westerner known to have travelled to the central portion of the Niger River. In 1794 he offered his services to the African Association, then looking for a successor to Major Daniel Houghton, who had been sent in 1790 to discover the course of the Niger River and had died in the Sahara. Supporte...

a Scottish explorer of the African continent. He was the first Westerner known to have travelled to the central portion of the Niger River. In 1794 he offered his services to the African Association, then looking for a successor to Major Daniel Houghton, who had been sent in 1790 to discover the course of the Niger River and had died in the Sahara. Supported by Sir Joseph Banks, Park was selected. He wrote several papers about his explorations.

an English Puritan clergyman and scholar. He became minister of a separatist congregation in Holland where he died while in exile for his heterodoxy. The Reverend Cotton Mather wrote of Parker as "one of the greatest scholars in the English Nation, and in some s...

an English Puritan clergyman and scholar. He became minister of a separatist congregation in Holland where he died while in exile for his heterodoxy. The Reverend Cotton Mather wrote of Parker as "one of the greatest scholars in the English Nation, and in some sort the father of all Nonconformists of our day."

an English churchman, of strong Erastian views and a fierce opponent of Dissenters. His political position is often compared with that of Thomas Hobbes, but there are also clear differences; he was also called in his time a Latitudinarian, but this is not someth...

an English churchman, of strong Erastian views and a fierce opponent of Dissenters. His political position is often compared with that of Thomas Hobbes, but there are also clear differences; he was also called in his time a Latitudinarian, but this is not something on which modern scholars are agreed. During the reign of King James II he served as Bishop of Oxford, and was considered by James to be a moderate in his attitude to Catholics.

an American historian, best known as author of The Oregon Trail: Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life and his monumental seven-volume France and England in North America. These works are still valued as historical sources and as literature. He was also a leading horticulturist, briefly a professor of Horticulture at Harvard University an...

an American historian, best known as author of The Oregon Trail: Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life and his monumental seven-volume France and England in North America. These works are still valued as historical sources and as literature. He was also a leading horticulturist, briefly a professor of Horticulture at Harvard University and author of several books on the topic. Parkman was a trustee of the Boston Athenæum from 1858 until his death in 1893.

an Anglo-Irish poet and clergyman who was a friend of both Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift. He spent much of his time in London, where he participated with Po...

an Anglo-Irish poet and clergyman who was a friend of both Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift. He spent much of his time in London, where he participated with Pope, Swift and others in the Scriblerus Club, contributing to The Spectator and aiding Pope in his translation of The Iliad.

a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Christian philosopher. He was a child prodigy who was educated by his father, a tax collector in Rouen. Pascal's earliest work was in the natural and applied sciences where he made important contributions to the study of fluids, and clarified the concepts of pressure and vacuum by generalizing the work ...

a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Christian philosopher. He was a child prodigy who was educated by his father, a tax collector in Rouen. Pascal's earliest work was in the natural and applied sciences where he made important contributions to the study of fluids, and clarified the concepts of pressure and vacuum by generalizing the work of Evangelista Torricelli. Pascal also wrote in defense of the scientific method.

a French physician and numismatist. He was the son of Guy Patin, headmaster of the school of medicine in Paris, and a friend of Jacob Spon. Trained first by his father, he obtained a law degree and then chose to study medicine. He became best known for his numismatic work. He married the moralist author more

a French physician and numismatist. He was the son of Guy Patin, headmaster of the school of medicine in Paris, and a friend of Jacob Spon. Trained first by his father, he obtained a law degree and then chose to study medicine. He became best known for his numismatic work. He married the moralist author Madeleine Patin and their daughter Gabrielle-Charlotte Patin became a painter and numismatist, and his daughter Charlotte-Catherine Patin became a writer.

a 17th- and 18th-century French writer and art critic. Granddaughter of medical doctor and letter writer Guy Patin, and daughter of medical doctor and numismatist Charles Patin and moralist writer more

a 17th- and 18th-century French writer and art critic. Granddaughter of medical doctor and letter writer Guy Patin, and daughter of medical doctor and numismatist Charles Patin and moralist writer Madeleine Patin, as well as sister of numismatist Gabrielle-Charlotte Patin, Charlotte-Catherine Patin published several works, in Latin and French.

a French numismatist, writer and painter during the 17th century. Granddaughter of medical doctor and letter writer Guy Patin, daughter of medical doctor and numismatist Charles Patin and moralist writer Madeleine Patin, as well as sister of the writer and art critic Charlotte-Catherine Patin, Gabrielle-Charlotte Patin published a Latin work on Phoenician nu...

a French numismatist, writer and painter during the 17th century. Granddaughter of medical doctor and letter writer Guy Patin, daughter of medical doctor and numismatist Charles Patin and moralist writer Madeleine Patin, as well as sister of the writer and art critic Charlotte-Catherine Patin, Gabrielle-Charlotte Patin published a Latin work on Phoenician numismatics: De Phœnice in numismate imperatoris Caracallæ expressa epistola (Venise, 1683, in-4°). Gabrielle-Charlotte Patin was made, as were her sister and parents, a member of the Galileiana Academy of Arts and Science under the name "Diserte". At this academy, she gave the panegyric lecture on Louis XIV in 1685.

a French doctor and man of letters. Patin was doyen (or dean) of the Faculty of Medicine in Paris (1650–1652) and professor in the Collège de France starting in 1655. His scientific and medical works are not considered particularly enlightened by modern medical scholars (he has sometimes been compared to the doctors in the works of more

a French doctor and man of letters. Patin was doyen (or dean) of the Faculty of Medicine in Paris (1650–1652) and professor in the Collège de France starting in 1655. His scientific and medical works are not considered particularly enlightened by modern medical scholars (he has sometimes been compared to the doctors in the works of Moliere). He is most well known today for his extensive correspondence: his style was light and playful (he has been compared to early 17th century philosophical libertines), and his letters are an important document for historians of medicine. Patin and his son Charles were also dealers in clandestine books, and Patin wrote occasional poetry (such as a quatrain to honor Henric Piccardt (1636-1712).

a French moralist author. The wife of medical doctor and numismatist Charles Patin, and daughter of medical doctor and letter writer Guy Patin, Madeleine Patin wrote philosophical and moral reflections. This genre was popular in Europe during the period, and wa...

a French moralist author. The wife of medical doctor and numismatist Charles Patin, and daughter of medical doctor and letter writer Guy Patin, Madeleine Patin wrote philosophical and moral reflections. This genre was popular in Europe during the period, and was one to which French writers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau made contributions.

a French lawyer and writer. He was born in Paris. Patru actively worked on the development of rules of language and the systematic encouragement of prose, particularly through the translation of speakers and famous historians. In addition, he actively participated in preparing the Dictionary of the Academy, which he wanted to see the judgments relied on defi...

a French lawyer and writer. He was born in Paris. Patru actively worked on the development of rules of language and the systematic encouragement of prose, particularly through the translation of speakers and famous historians. In addition, he actively participated in preparing the Dictionary of the Academy, which he wanted to see the judgments relied on definitions and quotes from authors of recognized talent.

an author, scholar and government official during the reigns of King Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth I. In April 1570 he produced a vocabulary and alphabet to accompany an Armenian psalter owned by Archbishop Matthew Parker, the first work in that language in Englan...

an author, scholar and government official during the reigns of King Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth I. In April 1570 he produced a vocabulary and alphabet to accompany an Armenian psalter owned by Archbishop Matthew Parker, the first work in that language in England.

a Norwegian priest and diarist. His diaries from 1812–1822 are an important source for cultural and biographical history. He was the Bishop of the Diocese of Bjørgvin from 1817 until 1822. Pavels was also present at the first defence of a doctorate thesis in Norway, at the University 18 June 1817, when Frederik Holst defended his thesis, "Morbus, quem Rad...

a Norwegian priest and diarist. His diaries from 1812–1822 are an important source for cultural and biographical history. He was the Bishop of the Diocese of Bjørgvin from 1817 until 1822. Pavels was also present at the first defence of a doctorate thesis in Norway, at the University 18 June 1817, when Frederik Holst defended his thesis, "Morbus, quem Radesyge vocant, quinam sit, quanamque ratione e Scandinavia tollendus". Pavel's diary contains a detailed report from the ceremonious event.

an English novelist, poet, and official of the East India Company. He was a close friend of Percy Bysshe Shelley and they influenced each other's work. Peacock wrote satirical novels, each with the same basic setting — characters at a table discussing a...

an English novelist, poet, and official of the East India Company. He was a close friend of Percy Bysshe Shelley and they influenced each other's work. Peacock wrote satirical novels, each with the same basic setting — characters at a table discussing and criticising the philosophical opinions of the day.

an amateur English composer. Many of his compositions were not published until after his death, and even now, many remain in manuscript. He was also the author of several articles and letters that contributed to scholarly understanding of early music in the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions and helped to re-establish plainsong, Renaissance polyphony, a...

an amateur English composer. Many of his compositions were not published until after his death, and even now, many remain in manuscript. He was also the author of several articles and letters that contributed to scholarly understanding of early music in the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions and helped to re-establish plainsong, Renaissance polyphony, and ancient church hymns in German and English-speaking countries. His antiquarian interests, including history, heraldry and genealogy, his rejection of industrialisation, and his search for clarity in musical composition derived from earlier models, places him firmly in the Romantic movement. He also composed poetry, some of which he used for his madrigals, such as 'Why Do the Roses' (1842). In the 1830s, he made accomplished verse translations into English of Friedrich Schiller's play William Tell in 1829 and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust.

a Spanish bishop. Cristobal de Pedraza, arrived in Puerto Horses on September 13, 1538. In 1545 he started work in the Province of Comayagua (Honduras) with the mission to bring Christianity to the Indians, he was a priest inclined to education and was known as the "Protector of the Indians", his major work is the "Report of the Province of Honduras" which ...

a Spanish bishop. Cristobal de Pedraza, arrived in Puerto Horses on September 13, 1538. In 1545 he started work in the Province of Comayagua (Honduras) with the mission to bring Christianity to the Indians, he was a priest inclined to education and was known as the "Protector of the Indians", his major work is the "Report of the Province of Honduras" which makes a brutal critique of the Spanish conquistadors, defending the work of evangelization carried by the missionaries friars from his bishopric. He was elevated to bishop and I run the Diocese of Trujillo when he died in 1553 the episcopal see of the colonial city of Trujillo would be moved to the town of Santa Maria de la Nueva Valladolid Comayagua by his successor.

an 18th-century French pharmacist and chemist. On the recommendation of Darcet, Hilaire Rouelle's widow appointed him managing director of the pharmacy rue Jacob in 1783. The following year, Pelletier was master apothecary, married Marguerite Sedillot and bought Rouelle's pharmacy. From 1783, Pelletier was a student at the Paris Faculty of Medicine, where he...

an 18th-century French pharmacist and chemist. On the recommendation of Darcet, Hilaire Rouelle's widow appointed him managing director of the pharmacy rue Jacob in 1783. The following year, Pelletier was master apothecary, married Marguerite Sedillot and bought Rouelle's pharmacy. From 1783, Pelletier was a student at the Paris Faculty of Medicine, where he made but no degree. In 1784, on a suggestion from crystallographer Jean-Baptiste Romé de L’Isle, Pelletier produced strongly soluble salt cristals through slow evaporation and inoculation.

an English churchman, a theologian and controversialist. He was born in Manchester, died in London. He was appointed chaplain to Bishop Edmund Bonner, for whom he wrote two homilies: "Of the Church what it is", and "Of the Authority of the Church". He also wrote "Declaration in his sickness of his faith or belief in all points as the Catholic Church teacheth...

an English churchman, a theologian and controversialist. He was born in Manchester, died in London. He was appointed chaplain to Bishop Edmund Bonner, for whom he wrote two homilies: "Of the Church what it is", and "Of the Authority of the Church". He also wrote "Declaration in his sickness of his faith or belief in all points as the Catholic Church teacheth against sclaunderous reports against him".

an African-American orator, minister, writer, and abolitionist active in Brooklyn, New York. He escaped at the age of 19 from slavery in western Maryland and reached New York. After working in Brooklyn and gaining some education, he was admitted to Yale University as its first black student. He completed studies and was ordained as a minister in the Congrega...

an African-American orator, minister, writer, and abolitionist active in Brooklyn, New York. He escaped at the age of 19 from slavery in western Maryland and reached New York. After working in Brooklyn and gaining some education, he was admitted to Yale University as its first black student. He completed studies and was ordained as a minister in the Congregational Church, later also serving in Presbyterian churches for congregations in Hartford, Connecticut; and New York. After the Civil War, he served congregations in Natchez, Mississippi; Portland, Maine; and Jacksonville, Florida.

a Church of England clergyman and theological writer. Penrose was ordained at Exeter in 1801. He held a number of ecclesiastical positions throughout his lifetime. In 1814 Penrose married Elizabeth Cartwright, a teacher and author of children's books under the name Mrs Markham. The couple were the parents of three sons of whom Francis Penrose was an architec...

a Church of England clergyman and theological writer. Penrose was ordained at Exeter in 1801. He held a number of ecclesiastical positions throughout his lifetime. In 1814 Penrose married Elizabeth Cartwright, a teacher and author of children's books under the name Mrs Markham. The couple were the parents of three sons of whom Francis Penrose was an architect and Charles Penrose a clergyman who succeed to his father's livings. The collection of the Pitts Theology Library includes a three-page letter from John Penrose to an unnamed bishop, dated 24 November 1844 commenting on the character of Thomas Arnold.

an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament who is now most well known for the diary he kept for a decade while still a young man. His influence and reforms at the Admiralty were important in the early development of the Royal Navy. Although he had no maritime experience, he rose by patronage, hard work, and his talent for administration to be th...

an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament who is now most well known for the diary he kept for a decade while still a young man. His influence and reforms at the Admiralty were important in the early development of the Royal Navy. Although he had no maritime experience, he rose by patronage, hard work, and his talent for administration to be the Chief Secretary to the Admiralty under both King Charles II and King James II.

an English poet and playwright. Although Percy was not a very talented poet his circle included better writers such as Charles Fitzgeoffrey who, in his collection of Latin epigrams Affaniae praises Percy's skills. Others in the same group were the Mychelbourne brothers, Edward, Lawrence, and Thomas, all of whom feature in Percy's poems. A later member was Th...

an English poet and playwright. Although Percy was not a very talented poet his circle included better writers such as Charles Fitzgeoffrey who, in his collection of Latin epigrams Affaniae praises Percy's skills. Others in the same group were the Mychelbourne brothers, Edward, Lawrence, and Thomas, all of whom feature in Percy's poems. A later member was Thomas Campion who praises Percy in his Epigrammatum II (1619) for his wit. Percy also wrote plays, six of which survive.

a Spanish Jesuit philosopher, theologian, and exegete. He published eight works, and left a vast deal of manuscript. (Sommervogel, infra, mentions twelve sets.) His main philosophical work is De communibus omnium rerum naturalium principiis et affectionibus libri quindecim (Rome, 1576). The main difficulties of the Book of Genesis are met in Commentariorum e...

a Spanish Jesuit philosopher, theologian, and exegete. He published eight works, and left a vast deal of manuscript. (Sommervogel, infra, mentions twelve sets.) His main philosophical work is De communibus omnium rerum naturalium principiis et affectionibus libri quindecim (Rome, 1576). The main difficulties of the Book of Genesis are met in Commentariorum et disputationum in Genesim tomi quattuor (Rome, 1591–1599). This is a mine of information in regard to the Deluge, Noah's Ark, the Tower of Babel, etc., and was highly rated by Richard Simon (Histoire critique du Vieux Testament, III, xii).

a Basque writer, who was born and died in Larrea, Álava. Lazarraga, the lord of Larrea, and a member of a family originating in Oñati. As a writer, he was one of the few Renaissance authors writing in Basque. In around 1567, he left a collection of written papers, together forming a pastoral novel titled Silbero, Silbia, Doristeo, and Sirena, in 21 copies....

a Basque writer, who was born and died in Larrea, Álava. Lazarraga, the lord of Larrea, and a member of a family originating in Oñati. As a writer, he was one of the few Renaissance authors writing in Basque. In around 1567, he left a collection of written papers, together forming a pastoral novel titled Silbero, Silbia, Doristeo, and Sirena, in 21 copies. In 2004, the manuscript was discovered in an antique shop in Madrid.

a Spanish Jesuit missionary, and historian of north-western Mexico. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1602, coming at once to America, and finishing his novitiate in Mexico in 1604. He left numerous works, religious and historical, most of which are still in manuscript, but his reputation as an historian rests upon his history of the Jesuit missions of Mexi...

a Spanish Jesuit missionary, and historian of north-western Mexico. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1602, coming at once to America, and finishing his novitiate in Mexico in 1604. He left numerous works, religious and historical, most of which are still in manuscript, but his reputation as an historian rests upon his history of the Jesuit missions of Mexico published at Madrid in 1645, one year after its completion.

a Spanish disciple of John of Ávila who wrote on lay spirituality. Born in Baeza, Pérez de Valdivia was sent by John of Ávila to study at Salamanca. He taught philosophy at Granada for three years before becoming Professor of Holy Scripture at the University of Baeza from 1549 to 1577. He was archdeacon of Jaén from 1569 to 1574, but subjected to the Inq...

a Spanish disciple of John of Ávila who wrote on lay spirituality. Born in Baeza, Pérez de Valdivia was sent by John of Ávila to study at Salamanca. He taught philosophy at Granada for three years before becoming Professor of Holy Scripture at the University of Baeza from 1549 to 1577. He was archdeacon of Jaén from 1569 to 1574, but subjected to the Inquisition from 1574 to 1577 on suspicion of alumbradismo. From 1578 to 1589 he was Professor of Scripture at the University of Barcelona.

an influential English cleric and Cambridge theologian, receiving both a B.A. and M.A. from the university in 1581 and 1584 respectively, and also one of the foremost leaders of the Puritan movement in the Church of England during the Elizabethan era. Although not entirely accepting of the Church of England's ecclesiastical practices, Perkins conformed to ma...

an influential English cleric and Cambridge theologian, receiving both a B.A. and M.A. from the university in 1581 and 1584 respectively, and also one of the foremost leaders of the Puritan movement in the Church of England during the Elizabethan era. Although not entirely accepting of the Church of England's ecclesiastical practices, Perkins conformed to many of the policies and procedures imposed by the Elizabethan Settlement. He did remain, however, sympathetic to the non-conformist puritans and even faced disciplinary action for his support.

a French writer. At various times he was a Benedictine, and librarian of Frederic the Great of Prussia. Together with the Polish Count Tadeusz Grabianka, also influenced by the Christian mysticism of Swedenborg he founded in 1760 the secret society of ‘Rite hermétique’ or Illuminati of Avignon. Pernety took part in the 1763-64 expedition under Louis Ant...

a French writer. At various times he was a Benedictine, and librarian of Frederic the Great of Prussia. Together with the Polish Count Tadeusz Grabianka, also influenced by the Christian mysticism of Swedenborg he founded in 1760 the secret society of ‘Rite hermétique’ or Illuminati of Avignon. Pernety took part in the 1763-64 expedition under Louis Antoine de Bougainville that established the Port Saint Louis settlement in the Falkland Islands, and published a two-volume account of his nature exploration of the Falklands and the Brazilian island of Santa Catarina.

a French author and member of the Académie Française. He laid the foundations for a new literary genre, the fairy tale, with his works derived from pre-existing folk tales. The best known of his tales include Le Petit Chaperon Rouge (Little Red Riding Hood), Cendrillon (Cinderella), Le Chat Botté (Puss in Boots), La Belle au bois Dormant (The Sleeping Bea...

a French author and member of the Académie Française. He laid the foundations for a new literary genre, the fairy tale, with his works derived from pre-existing folk tales. The best known of his tales include Le Petit Chaperon Rouge (Little Red Riding Hood), Cendrillon (Cinderella), Le Chat Botté (Puss in Boots), La Belle au bois Dormant (The Sleeping Beauty), and Barbe Bleue (Bluebeard). Some of Perrault's versions of old stories may have influenced the German versions published by the Brothers Grimm more than 100 years later.

an English churchman and academic, Regius Professor of Greek at Oxford and one of the translators of the Authorised King James Version of the Bible. He was Regius Professor of Greek from 1597 to 1615. Nominated to the Second Oxford Company of translators by King James, he found it onerous to continue as Regius Professor, and did not fulfil the duties of the ...

an English churchman and academic, Regius Professor of Greek at Oxford and one of the translators of the Authorised King James Version of the Bible. He was Regius Professor of Greek from 1597 to 1615. Nominated to the Second Oxford Company of translators by King James, he found it onerous to continue as Regius Professor, and did not fulfil the duties of the post for a period from January 1605. He became a canon of Christ Church Cathedral in 1604, and vicar of Worthing, Sussex from 1605 to 1611.

a Welsh writer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1597 and 1629. Perrot wrote Discovery of Discontented Minds (1596) and The First Part of the Considerations of Humane Conditions (1600). He also wrote, in later life, Meditations and Prayers on the Lord's Prayer and Ten Commandments (1630). He was knighted in 1603 and was ...

a Welsh writer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1597 and 1629. Perrot wrote Discovery of Discontented Minds (1596) and The First Part of the Considerations of Humane Conditions (1600). He also wrote, in later life, Meditations and Prayers on the Lord's Prayer and Ten Commandments (1630). He was knighted in 1603 and was first on the list of aldermen when Haverfordwest received its charter at the beginning of the reign of James I. In 1604, he was elected MP for Haverfordwest again. He was re-elected MP for Haverfordwest in 1614 and 1621.

a Welsh Anglican priest and linguistic scholar. He obtained various parish positions on Anglesey, in Rhoscolyn, Trefdraeth and Llanfachraeth, also becoming a canon and prebendary of Bangor Cathedral. In addition to his parish work, Perry was a skilled linguist; he was highly regarded by the lexicographer John Davies. He was said by Davies to have worked on t...

a Welsh Anglican priest and linguistic scholar. He obtained various parish positions on Anglesey, in Rhoscolyn, Trefdraeth and Llanfachraeth, also becoming a canon and prebendary of Bangor Cathedral. In addition to his parish work, Perry was a skilled linguist; he was highly regarded by the lexicographer John Davies. He was said by Davies to have worked on the compilation of a Welsh language dictionary, although his sole publication was a book on rhetoric Egluryn ffraethineb ("The elucidator of eloquence", 1595). It was the first book of its kind in Welsh, and drew upon the works of contemporary writers in English.

a prominent ethnic Armenian philosopher, educator, translator, and linguist. He was a key figure in the Armenian reawakening and reformist movement in the 19th century. Early in his life he started to compile a dictionary of Classical Armenian, intended to comprise two volumes, but the project was discontinued. In 1829 he published Kraganutyun Haykazian Lezv...

a prominent ethnic Armenian philosopher, educator, translator, and linguist. He was a key figure in the Armenian reawakening and reformist movement in the 19th century. Early in his life he started to compile a dictionary of Classical Armenian, intended to comprise two volumes, but the project was discontinued. In 1829 he published Kraganutyun Haykazian Lezvi (A Grammar of the Armenian Language), in essence a grammar of Classical Armenian. His Tramabnutiun Gam Arvest Banakan (Logic, or the Art of Reason), a philosophical treatise, is also in Classical Armenian.

a German astronomer. He was the father of astronomer Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Peters. He was born in Hamburg and died in Kiel. Peters was the son of a merchant and, although he did not attend secondary school regularly, he obtained a good knowledge of mathematics and astronomy. In 1826 he became assistant to Heinrich Christian Schumacher at Altona Observatory ...

a German astronomer. He was the father of astronomer Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Peters. He was born in Hamburg and died in Kiel. Peters was the son of a merchant and, although he did not attend secondary school regularly, he obtained a good knowledge of mathematics and astronomy. In 1826 he became assistant to Heinrich Christian Schumacher at Altona Observatory (de). Schumacher encouraged him to study astronomy and Peters did a PhD under Friedrich Bessel at the University of Königsberg. In 1834 he became an assistant at Hamburg Observatory and in 1839 joined the staff of Pulkovo Observatory. In 1849 he became professor of astronomy at Königsberg and soon after succeeded Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel as director of the observatory there. In 1854 he became director of Altona Observatory and editor of the Astronomische Nachrichten.

a French scholar, physician, poet and Latin writer. Born at Paris, Petit studied medicine at Montpellier, where he took the degree of MD, though he did not practice medicine afterwards. Returning to Paris, he resided for some time with the president Lamoignon, as tutor to his sons, and afterwards as a literary companion with Aymar de Nicolai, first president...

a French scholar, physician, poet and Latin writer. Born at Paris, Petit studied medicine at Montpellier, where he took the degree of MD, though he did not practice medicine afterwards. Returning to Paris, he resided for some time with the president Lamoignon, as tutor to his sons, and afterwards as a literary companion with Aymar de Nicolai, first president of the chamber of accounts. He died shortly after taking a wife.

one of the first native French Canadian writers. He wrote two popular plays of the 19th century, La Donation (1842) and Une partie de campagne (1857), the latter notable for using rural québécois speech for the first time on stage. He also composed a number of poems throughout his life. He started out in studies of law, but flourished as an artist while wo...

one of the first native French Canadian writers. He wrote two popular plays of the 19th century, La Donation (1842) and Une partie de campagne (1857), the latter notable for using rural québécois speech for the first time on stage. He also composed a number of poems throughout his life. He started out in studies of law, but flourished as an artist while working as a copyist for the notary Archibald Campbell. During this time he wrote his first play, never staged, Griphon ou la vengeance d'un valet, perhaps the first French-Canadian play.

a German physician and writer. He was Professor of Medicine at the University of Marburg. He was son-in-law of the chemist Johannes Hartmann (1568–1631). He is known for his Nosologia Harmonica Dogmatica et Hermetica. This was an attempt to find concord between rival medical theories of the time: those of the progressive chemical physicians (exemplified by...

a German physician and writer. He was Professor of Medicine at the University of Marburg. He was son-in-law of the chemist Johannes Hartmann (1568–1631). He is known for his Nosologia Harmonica Dogmatica et Hermetica. This was an attempt to find concord between rival medical theories of the time: those of the progressive chemical physicians (exemplified by Vesalius) and those of the tradition-based Galenists.

a soldier, writer and philologist. In 1746 he founded the Olomouc-based Societas incognitorum, the first Enlightenment-inspired learned society in the Habsburg territories. As a young man he pursued a military career as adjutant to Prince Eugene of Savoy, accumulating substantial wealth. On 27 March 1750 Petrasch was able to buy the lordship of Nové Zámky ...

a soldier, writer and philologist. In 1746 he founded the Olomouc-based Societas incognitorum, the first Enlightenment-inspired learned society in the Habsburg territories. As a young man he pursued a military career as adjutant to Prince Eugene of Savoy, accumulating substantial wealth. On 27 March 1750 Petrasch was able to buy the lordship of Nové Zámky (modern Nesovice) for 85,600 Gulden.

a Prince-Bishop (vladika) of Montenegro, poet and philosopher whose works are widely considered some of the most important in Montenegrin and Serbian literature. Njegoš was born in the village of Njeguši, near Montenegro's then-capital Cetinje. He was educated at several Montenegrin monasteries, and became the country's spiritual and political leader follo...

a Prince-Bishop (vladika) of Montenegro, poet and philosopher whose works are widely considered some of the most important in Montenegrin and Serbian literature. Njegoš was born in the village of Njeguši, near Montenegro's then-capital Cetinje. He was educated at several Montenegrin monasteries, and became the country's spiritual and political leader following the death of his uncle Petar I. After eliminating all initial domestic opposition to his rule, he concentrated on uniting Montenegro's tribes and establishing a centralized state.

an English economist, scientist and philosopher. He first became prominent serving Oliver Cromwell and Commonwealth in Ireland. He developed efficient methods to survey the land that was to be confiscated and given to Cromwell's soldiers. He also managed to re...

an English economist, scientist and philosopher. He first became prominent serving Oliver Cromwell and Commonwealth in Ireland. He developed efficient methods to survey the land that was to be confiscated and given to Cromwell's soldiers. He also managed to remain prominent under King Charles II and King James II, as did many others who had served Cromwell. Petty is best known for economic history and statistic writings, pre- Adam Smith. Of particular interest were Petty's forays into statistical analysis. Petty's work in political arithmetic, along with the work of John Graunt, laid the foundation for modern census techniques.

an Austrian traveler and travel book author. She was one of the first female explorers, whose popular books were translated into seven languages. She was a member of geographical societies of both Berlin and Paris, but not of Royal Geographical Society in London due to her sex. In 1846 she started on a journey round the world, visiting Brazil, Chile and othe...

an Austrian traveler and travel book author. She was one of the first female explorers, whose popular books were translated into seven languages. She was a member of geographical societies of both Berlin and Paris, but not of Royal Geographical Society in London due to her sex. In 1846 she started on a journey round the world, visiting Brazil, Chile and other countries of South America, Tahiti, China, India, Persia, Asia Minor and Greece, and reaching home in 1848. The results were published in Eine Frau fährt um die Welt (3 vols., Vienna, 1850; English translation: A Woman's Journey round the World, London, 1850).

an English lawyer, pediatrician, and author. He is best known as the author of The Boke of Chyldren, published in 1545, which was the first book on pediatrics written in the English language. He published Natura brevium in 1535, and Newe Boke of Presidentes in 1543. He published The Regiment of Life in 1544, a translation of a French version of the Latin tex...

an English lawyer, pediatrician, and author. He is best known as the author of The Boke of Chyldren, published in 1545, which was the first book on pediatrics written in the English language. He published Natura brevium in 1535, and Newe Boke of Presidentes in 1543. He published The Regiment of Life in 1544, a translation of a French version of the Latin text Regimen Sanitatis Salerni, and The Boke of Chyldren was published the following year as an addedum to The Regiment of Life.

an early leader of the Latter Day Saint movement. He was a printer, editor, song-writer, scribe to Joseph Smith, and assistant president of the church in Missouri. Phelps is probably best known for his legacy of Mormon hymns, many of which appear in the current e...

an early leader of the Latter Day Saint movement. He was a printer, editor, song-writer, scribe to Joseph Smith, and assistant president of the church in Missouri. Phelps is probably best known for his legacy of Mormon hymns, many of which appear in the current edition of the LDS Church hymnal.

an English poet and politician. His contemporary reputation rested on his pastorals and epistles, particularly the description of winter addressed by him from Copenhagen (1709) to the Earl of Dorset. In T. H. Ward's English Poets, however, he is represented by two of the simple and charming pieces addressed to the infant children of John Carteret, 2nd Lord C...

an English poet and politician. His contemporary reputation rested on his pastorals and epistles, particularly the description of winter addressed by him from Copenhagen (1709) to the Earl of Dorset. In T. H. Ward's English Poets, however, he is represented by two of the simple and charming pieces addressed to the infant children of John Carteret, 2nd Lord Carteret, and of Daniel Pulteney. These were scoffed at by Jonathan Swift, and earned for Philips from Henry Carey the nickname of "Namby-Pamby".

an Anglo-Welsh poet, translator, and woman of letters. She achieved renown as translator of Pierre Corneille's Pompée and Horace, and for her editions of poetry. The literary atmosphere of her circle is preserved in the excellent Letters of Orinda to Poliarchus, published by Bernard Lintot in 1705 and 1709. Philips's translations and poems consider question...

an Anglo-Welsh poet, translator, and woman of letters. She achieved renown as translator of Pierre Corneille's Pompée and Horace, and for her editions of poetry. The literary atmosphere of her circle is preserved in the excellent Letters of Orinda to Poliarchus, published by Bernard Lintot in 1705 and 1709. Philips's translations and poems consider questions of political authority and express her royalist beliefs. Her works also consider the nature and value of friendship between women. There have been speculations about whether, and in what way, her work could be described as "lesbian."

an English poet and dramatist of the Elizabethan era. He is known for his play The Commodye of Pacient and Meeke Grissill (aka The Plaie of Pacient Grisell), said to have been written in the late 1550s, and possibly first performed by a children's company at Nonsuch Palace in Surrey for Queen more

an English poet and dramatist of the Elizabethan era. He is known for his play The Commodye of Pacient and Meeke Grissill (aka The Plaie of Pacient Grisell), said to have been written in the late 1550s, and possibly first performed by a children's company at Nonsuch Palace in Surrey for Queen Elizabeth I as part of a special entertainment in August 1559.

an English author. His most important work is Theatrum poetarum (1675), a list of the chief poets of all ages and countries. He also wrote The New World of English Words (1658), which went through many editions; a new edition of Baker's Chronicle, of which the section on the period from 1650 to 1658 was written by himself from the royali...

an English author. His most important work is Theatrum poetarum (1675), a list of the chief poets of all ages and countries. He also wrote The New World of English Words (1658), which went through many editions; a new edition of Baker's Chronicle, of which the section on the period from 1650 to 1658 was written by himself from the royalist standpoint; a supplement (1676) to John Speed's Theatre of Great Britain; and in 1684 Enchiridion linguae latinae, said to have been taken chiefly from notes prepared by Milton.

an English author, the brother of Edward Phillips, and a nephew of John Milton. He appears to have acted as unofficial secretary to Milton, but, unable to obtain...

an English author, the brother of Edward Phillips, and a nephew of John Milton. He appears to have acted as unofficial secretary to Milton, but, unable to obtain regular political employment, and (like his brother) chafing against the discipline he was under, he published in 1655, a bitter attack on Puritanism titled a Satyr against Hypocrites (1655). In 1656, he was summoned before the privy council for his share in a book of licentious poems, Sportive Wit, which was suppressed by the authorities, but almost immediately replaced by a similar collection, Wit and Drollery.

an English translator and author. He describes himself as "a student of London", and had some leading figures of the time as patrons. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography points out that a William Phiston matriculated at Magdalene College, Cambridge in 1572. It also notes the strong Protestant tone to the Testimonie, intended as a cheaper substitute f...

an English translator and author. He describes himself as "a student of London", and had some leading figures of the time as patrons. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography points out that a William Phiston matriculated at Magdalene College, Cambridge in 1572. It also notes the strong Protestant tone to the Testimonie, intended as a cheaper substitute for the Actes and Monuments.

an Italian humanist and philosopher from Siena, who promoted the popularization in the vernacular of Latin and Greek scientific and philosophical treatises. His early works include Il Dialogo della bella creanza delle donne, o Raffaella (1539) and the comedies Amor costante, and Alessandro, (other titles are erroneously attributed to him) which were sponsore...

an Italian humanist and philosopher from Siena, who promoted the popularization in the vernacular of Latin and Greek scientific and philosophical treatises. His early works include Il Dialogo della bella creanza delle donne, o Raffaella (1539) and the comedies Amor costante, and Alessandro, (other titles are erroneously attributed to him) which were sponsored and produced by the Sienese Accademia degl'Intronati, of which he was a member and an official. Much of his literary production consisted of translations from the Classics, of which Book xiii of Ovid's Metamorphoses and book vi of the Aeneid are early examples.

a French novelist, historian and translator. There is very little information available about the details of his life. He received a degree as a medical doctor in Montpellier in 1817, but turned to literature and especially the English literary history. He was a prolific translator, translating the complete works of Lord more

a French novelist, historian and translator. There is very little information available about the details of his life. He received a degree as a medical doctor in Montpellier in 1817, but turned to literature and especially the English literary history. He was a prolific translator, translating the complete works of Lord George Gordon Byron and many works of Charles Dickens, Sheridan, William Makepeace Thackeray and Edward Bulwer-Lytton.

a French diplomat under Louis XIV. in 1689, Pidou de Saint Olon was then nominated as ambassador to the court of the Moroccan ruler Mulay Ismail, in view of the signature of a commercial treaty. This responded to the Embassy of Mohammad Temim to Louis XIV in 1682. ...

a French diplomat under Louis XIV. in 1689, Pidou de Saint Olon was then nominated as ambassador to the court of the Moroccan ruler Mulay Ismail, in view of the signature of a commercial treaty. This responded to the Embassy of Mohammad Temim to Louis XIV in 1682. In 1690, Pidou de Saint Olon was in the city of Salé, where he visited the French Consul Jean-Baptiste Estelle. His mission did not succeed however, and he only remained 2–3 weeks in Morocco. He wrote an account of his visit to Morocco, Relation de l'empire de Maroc ("The present state of the Empire of Morocco").

a celebrated Anglo-Irish poet. Her Memoirs are the source of much of what is known of the personalities and habits of Jonathan Swift and others. In 1743, she began seeking, on Cibber's advice, subscribers for her Memoirs. more

a celebrated Anglo-Irish poet. Her Memoirs are the source of much of what is known of the personalities and habits of Jonathan Swift and others. In 1743, she began seeking, on Cibber's advice, subscribers for her Memoirs. Samuel Richardson, who had been a benefactor of hers and who had consulted with her on Clarissa, would not publish the work. Further, no other London publisher would accept the work, and Matthew Pilkington worked hard to ensure that the Memoirs would find no home. Indeed, most of the book sellers and publishers, as well as many of the notables of the day, were afraid of their publication and afraid of having their private foibles exposed to the public.

a Canadian newspaper publisher. He emigrated to Canada from Aberdeen, Scotland. In 1848 he took over the two-year-old Guelph Herald and moved with his family to downtown Guelph. The printing and publishing office for the Herald was on Wyndham Street. Mr. Pirie was a poet, and was remembered as one of Canada's Scottish Canadian poets in a 1900 book published ...

a Canadian newspaper publisher. He emigrated to Canada from Aberdeen, Scotland. In 1848 he took over the two-year-old Guelph Herald and moved with his family to downtown Guelph. The printing and publishing office for the Herald was on Wyndham Street. Mr. Pirie was a poet, and was remembered as one of Canada's Scottish Canadian poets in a 1900 book published in Toronto by the Caledonia Society. His poetry generally dealt with Canadian patriotism, and social issues such as poverty, and temperance.

a Russian novelist and dramatist who was regarded as an equal of Ivan Turgenev and Fyodor Dostoyevsky in the late 1850s, but whose reputation suffered a spectacular decline after his fall-out with Sovremennik magazine in the early 1860s. A realistic playwright, along with Aleksandr Ostrovsky he was responsible for the first dramatization of ordinary people i...

a Russian novelist and dramatist who was regarded as an equal of Ivan Turgenev and Fyodor Dostoyevsky in the late 1850s, but whose reputation suffered a spectacular decline after his fall-out with Sovremennik magazine in the early 1860s. A realistic playwright, along with Aleksandr Ostrovsky he was responsible for the first dramatization of ordinary people in the history of Russian theatre.

a French lawyer and scholar. He was born at Troyes. From childhood he loved literature, and his father Pierre encouraged this interest. Pithou wrote many legal and historical books, besides preparing editions of several ancient writers. His earliest publication was Adversariorum subsectorum lib. II. (1565). In 1569, he became the first to publish Landolfus ...

a French lawyer and scholar. He was born at Troyes. From childhood he loved literature, and his father Pierre encouraged this interest. Pithou wrote many legal and historical books, besides preparing editions of several ancient writers. His earliest publication was Adversariorum subsectorum lib. II. (1565). In 1569, he became the first to publish Landolfus Sagax' Historia Romana, and under the name by which it became better known: Historia Miscella.

an English teacher who developed the most widely used system of shorthand, known now as Pitman shorthand. He first proposed this in Stenographic Soundhand in 1837. He was also the vice president of the Vegetarian Society. Pitman was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1894...

an English teacher who developed the most widely used system of shorthand, known now as Pitman shorthand. He first proposed this in Stenographic Soundhand in 1837. He was also the vice president of the Vegetarian Society. Pitman was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1894. He was a lifelong advocate of spelling reform for the English language, producing many pamphlets during his lifetime on spelling reform. In 1844 he published Phonotypy, his major work on spelling reform. In 1845 he published the first version of the English Phonotypic Alphabet.

an Englishman who was taken into slavery by Barbary pirates from Algeria in 1678 at the age of fourteen or fifteen. Little is known about Pitts aside from what is revealed in his narrative concerning his time held captive in Northern Africa, during which time he went through three masters ranging widely in their cruelty towards him over the course of more th...

an Englishman who was taken into slavery by Barbary pirates from Algeria in 1678 at the age of fourteen or fifteen. Little is known about Pitts aside from what is revealed in his narrative concerning his time held captive in Northern Africa, during which time he went through three masters ranging widely in their cruelty towards him over the course of more than fifteen years, with whom he travelled to Cairo and Alexandria. Though he escaped between the years 1693 and 1694, it was not until 1704 that Pitts first published his account. Pitts's A True and Faithful Account of the Religion and Manners of the Mohammetans, with an Account of the Author's Being Taken Captive includes descriptions of his capture and captivity, including some of the first English descriptions of Islamic rituals.

an English social reformer. In the early 1820s he became a Malthusian, believing that as the population increased it would outstrip the food supply. Despite himself having fathered fifteen children, he advocated the use of contraception, although was not specific about in what forms. It was on this topic that he wrote his only published book, the influentia...

an English social reformer. In the early 1820s he became a Malthusian, believing that as the population increased it would outstrip the food supply. Despite himself having fathered fifteen children, he advocated the use of contraception, although was not specific about in what forms. It was on this topic that he wrote his only published book, the influential and controversial Illustrations and Proofs of the Principles of Population, in 1822.

a British dramatist, antiquary and officer of arms. Over a period of approximately 60 years he wrote, adapted, or collaborated on 176 plays in a wide range of genres including extravaganza, farce, comedy, burletta, melodrama and opera. Planché was responsible for introducing historically accurate costume into nineteenth century British theatre, and subseque...

a British dramatist, antiquary and officer of arms. Over a period of approximately 60 years he wrote, adapted, or collaborated on 176 plays in a wide range of genres including extravaganza, farce, comedy, burletta, melodrama and opera. Planché was responsible for introducing historically accurate costume into nineteenth century British theatre, and subsequently became an acknowledged expert on historical costume, publishing a number of works on the topic.

an eighteenth century British novelist. She was the author of The Ingrateful (Or, The Just Revenge) (1727) and Love Led Astray (Or, the Mutual Inconstancy) (1731). The Ingrateful is a story of an Italian woman who murders her husband after he has spent her fortune, and Love Led Astray is a pastoral tale of crossed lovers. The literary critic Bridget G. MacCa...

an eighteenth century British novelist. She was the author of The Ingrateful (Or, The Just Revenge) (1727) and Love Led Astray (Or, the Mutual Inconstancy) (1731). The Ingrateful is a story of an Italian woman who murders her husband after he has spent her fortune, and Love Led Astray is a pastoral tale of crossed lovers. The literary critic Bridget G. MacCarthy in her 1944-47 study, The Female Pen, described Love Led Astray as "an absurd travesty of the pastoral tradition", with critic Brian Corman describing Plantin as a writer of "outmoded and highly articfical romances."

a German painter and writer born in Leipzig. He initially took art classes at the Academy in Leipzig under Adam Friedrich Oeser, then continued his education in Dresden (from 1790), Vienna (from 1797) and Rome (1800), where he remained for the rest of his life. In 1823 he was appointed consul to the Saxon Royal Court in Rome. With Karl Bunsen, Barthold Georg...

a German painter and writer born in Leipzig. He initially took art classes at the Academy in Leipzig under Adam Friedrich Oeser, then continued his education in Dresden (from 1790), Vienna (from 1797) and Rome (1800), where he remained for the rest of his life. In 1823 he was appointed consul to the Saxon Royal Court in Rome. With Karl Bunsen, Barthold Georg Niebuhr, Eduard Gerhard, Ludwig von Urlichs and Wilhelm Röstell, he was co-author of "Beschreibung der Stadt Rom" (Description of the City of Rome). Platner died in Rome.

a Norwegian civil servant and politician. He took his examen artium in 1827 and graduated from the university with the cand.jur. degree in 1832. He was hired as a clerk in the Norwegian Ministry of Justice in 1833, the same year his father died. He was later promoted, but started as an auditor in Christianssand in 1844. From 1846 to 1853 he was an assessor i...

a Norwegian civil servant and politician. He took his examen artium in 1827 and graduated from the university with the cand.jur. degree in 1832. He was hired as a clerk in the Norwegian Ministry of Justice in 1833, the same year his father died. He was later promoted, but started as an auditor in Christianssand in 1844. From 1846 to 1853 he was an assessor in Bergen, but in 1853 he returned to Christianssand as burgomaster. He was a member of the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters from 1849, and wrote extensively. He reissued his father's textbook Udtog af Geographien for Begyndere seven times

an English writer on agriculture and science, and also now recognised as the author of the utopian work Description of the Famous Kingdome of Macaria, often attributed to Samuel Hartlib under whose name it was published. He was one of the earliest advocates in England of an improved system of husbandry, and devoted time and money to practical experiments. He...

an English writer on agriculture and science, and also now recognised as the author of the utopian work Description of the Famous Kingdome of Macaria, often attributed to Samuel Hartlib under whose name it was published. He was one of the earliest advocates in England of an improved system of husbandry, and devoted time and money to practical experiments. He was in poverty at the end of his life and was supported by Hartlib, to whom he left his unpublished papers. His Treatise of Husbandry (1638) concerns both agriculture and the relations of la

a minor Russian poet and literary critic, who rose to become the dean of the Saint Petersburg University (1840–61) and academician of the Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1841). Pletnyov befriended the poet Alexander Pushkin, who dedicated his novel in vers...

a minor Russian poet and literary critic, who rose to become the dean of the Saint Petersburg University (1840–61) and academician of the Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1841). Pletnyov befriended the poet Alexander Pushkin, who dedicated his novel in verse Eugene Onegin to him. After Pushkin's death in 1837, Pletnyov edited his literary journal Sovremennik until the latter was sold to Nikolai Nekrasov in 1846. As a critic, he was strongly opposed to Vissarion Belinsky and like-minded journalists who placed "progressive ideas" above the artistic mastership.

an American clergyman, theologian and author who was recognized as an intellectual leader of the Presbyterian Church in the 1800s. Plumer was the minister of several churches during his career. From 1837 to 1845 Plumer was the editor of The Watchman of the South, a weekly Presbyterian newspaper which he had founded while serving as pastor in Richmond. He was...

an American clergyman, theologian and author who was recognized as an intellectual leader of the Presbyterian Church in the 1800s. Plumer was the minister of several churches during his career. From 1837 to 1845 Plumer was the editor of The Watchman of the South, a weekly Presbyterian newspaper which he had founded while serving as pastor in Richmond. He was also a founder of Staunton's Institution for the Blind, Deaf, & Dumb. Plumer authored at least 25 books, including commentaries on Romans, Hebrews, and Psalms, as well as numerous tracts and pamphlets, and magazine and newspaper articles.

the daughter of James W. Parker and the cousin of Quanah Parker, last free-roaming chief of the Comanches. An Anglo-Texan woman of Scots-Irish descent, she was kidnapped at the age of seventeen, along with her son, James Pratt Plummer, age two, and her cousins, by a Native American raiding party. Rachel Plummer's 21 months among the Comanche as a prisoner be...

the daughter of James W. Parker and the cousin of Quanah Parker, last free-roaming chief of the Comanches. An Anglo-Texan woman of Scots-Irish descent, she was kidnapped at the age of seventeen, along with her son, James Pratt Plummer, age two, and her cousins, by a Native American raiding party. Rachel Plummer's 21 months among the Comanche as a prisoner became a sensation when she wrote a book about her captivity, Rachael Plummer's Narrative of Twenty One Months' Servitude as a Prisoner Among the Commanchee Indians, which was issued in Houston in 1838. This was the first narrative about a captive of Texas Indians published in the Republic of Texas, and it was a sensation not just there, but in the United States and even abroad.

an American writer, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. Widely regarded as a central figure of Romanticism in the United States and American literature as a whole, he was one of the country's earliest practitioners of the short story. Poe is generally considered t...

an American writer, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. Widely regarded as a central figure of Romanticism in the United States and American literature as a whole, he was one of the country's earliest practitioners of the short story. Poe is generally considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre and is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction.

a penname of Alexey Alexeyevich Perovsky, a Russian prose writer. Antony Pogorelsky’s remarkable set of stories Dvoinik (The Double, or My Evenings in Little Russia) (1828) was closely related to the German fantastic tradition (Serapion Brothers by Hoffman) and anticipated the famous Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka by more

a penname of Alexey Alexeyevich Perovsky, a Russian prose writer. Antony Pogorelsky’s remarkable set of stories Dvoinik (The Double, or My Evenings in Little Russia) (1828) was closely related to the German fantastic tradition (Serapion Brothers by Hoffman) and anticipated the famous Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka by Nikolai Gogol and Russian Nights by Vladimir Odoevsky. In 1829 Pogorelsky published the book that brought him real fame: it was the fairy tale Black Hen, or Living Underground written for his nephew, the first book about childhood in Russian literature.

a Slovene philologist and author. He is generally considered the first exponent of the Age of Enlightenment in the Slovene Lands. He is best known for his book Kraynska grammatica (Carniolan Grammar), a grammar of Slovene written in German. In it, Pohlin attempted to modernize Adam Bohori?'s sixteenth-century grammar. The work is especially important for its...

a Slovene philologist and author. He is generally considered the first exponent of the Age of Enlightenment in the Slovene Lands. He is best known for his book Kraynska grammatica (Carniolan Grammar), a grammar of Slovene written in German. In it, Pohlin attempted to modernize Adam Bohori?'s sixteenth-century grammar. The work is especially important for its preface, in which Pohlin praised Slovene and rejected those that regarded it as rough and unworthy of being used in literature. Pohlin was also the author of the book Kraynske kroneke (The Carniolan Chronicles, 1770), which is considered the first work of historiography written in Slovene.

a French writer of the Renaissance, known for two collections of short stories. He was born in Langres. Few details are known of his life. He wrote L'Esté contenant trois journées ou sont deduictes plusieurs histoires et propos recréantifs tenus par trois écoliers (Summer, containing three days during which are narrated several stories and amusing anecdo...

a French writer of the Renaissance, known for two collections of short stories. He was born in Langres. Few details are known of his life. He wrote L'Esté contenant trois journées ou sont deduictes plusieurs histoires et propos recréantifs tenus par trois écoliers (Summer, containing three days during which are narrated several stories and amusing anecdotes told by three students) (Paris, 1583): a frame tale (as used in Boccaccio's Decameron and Marguerite de Navarre's Heptameron) narrating several stories and anecdotes by three wandering students and Nouvelles histoires tragiques (Paris, 1586): a collection of tragic stories in the vogue of the tragic tales of Bandello (as translated by François de Belleforest and Pierre Boaistuau) and other "histoires tragiques" in the period.

a German theologian of early Reformed orthodoxy. After his education in Troppau (Opava), Breslau (Wroclaw, Vratislav), Tübingen, Basel, and Geneva (1577–1584), he served as a tutor to the family of Zerotin in Heidelberg and Basel (1584–1590), and later taught at the Bohemian Brethren school in Ivancice. Between 1591 and 1595 he again tutored for the Zer...

a German theologian of early Reformed orthodoxy. After his education in Troppau (Opava), Breslau (Wroclaw, Vratislav), Tübingen, Basel, and Geneva (1577–1584), he served as a tutor to the family of Zerotin in Heidelberg and Basel (1584–1590), and later taught at the Bohemian Brethren school in Ivancice. Between 1591 and 1595 he again tutored for the Zerotíns, traveling from Moravia to Strasbourg and Basel. He wrote the three volume dogmatic work Partitiones theologicae (Divisions of Theology) and Syntagma theologiae christianae (translated in English as A System of Christian Theology).

a Swedish scientist, inventor and industrialist. He made significant contributions to the economic and industrial development of Sweden, particularly mining. One His greatest achievement was an automated factory powered entirely by water; automation was very unusual at the time. product from the factory was the Scandinavian padlock ("Polhem locks", Swedish:...

a Swedish scientist, inventor and industrialist. He made significant contributions to the economic and industrial development of Sweden, particularly mining. One His greatest achievement was an automated factory powered entirely by water; automation was very unusual at the time. product from the factory was the Scandinavian padlock ("Polhem locks", Swedish: Polhemslås), essentially the first design of the variation of padlocks common today. Polhem was not only active within the field of mechanics, he actively wrote essays concerning medicine, social criticism, astronomy, geology and economics.

an Italian writer and scholar living in London. He was the son of Agostino Ansano Polidori (1714–78), a physician and poet who lived and practised in his native Bientina, near Pisa, Tuscany. He translated various literary works into Italian, notably, John Milton...

an Italian writer and scholar living in London. He was the son of Agostino Ansano Polidori (1714–78), a physician and poet who lived and practised in his native Bientina, near Pisa, Tuscany. He translated various literary works into Italian, notably, John Milton's Paradise Lost and Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto, as well as other writings of Milton and Lucan. He wrote prolifically, producing his own fiction, poetry, criticism, and tragedies.

an English writer and physician. He is known for his associations with the Romantic movement and credited by some as the creator of the vampire genre of fantasy fiction. His most successful work was the short story "The Vampyre" (1819), the first published modern vampire story. Although originally and erroneously accredited to Lord more

an English writer and physician. He is known for his associations with the Romantic movement and credited by some as the creator of the vampire genre of fantasy fiction. His most successful work was the short story "The Vampyre" (1819), the first published modern vampire story. Although originally and erroneously accredited to Lord George Gordon Byron, both Byron and Polidori affirmed that the story is Polidori's.

a French diplomat, Cardinal and neo-Latin poet. During the last years of Louis XIV, Abbé de Polignac enjoyed the position of Master of the King's Chapel (1713-1716). But during the Regency Polignac became involved in the Cellamare Conspiracy, which attempted to di...

a French diplomat, Cardinal and neo-Latin poet. During the last years of Louis XIV, Abbé de Polignac enjoyed the position of Master of the King's Chapel (1713-1716). But during the Regency Polignac became involved in the Cellamare Conspiracy, which attempted to dislodge Philippe d'Orleans from the Regency, and replace him with Philip V of Spain, uncle of the young King Louis XV. Polignac was relegated to Flanders and confined to his Abbey d'Anchin for three years. As soon as Louis XV attained his majority, however, he had Polignac rehabilitated and restored to his positions.

an English poet and clergyman. After graduating from Queens' College, Cambridge Pomfret was appointed rector of Maulden in Bedfordshire in 1695. He published a number of poems, and was regarded as significant enough in his time to be included by Samuel Johnson ...

an English poet and clergyman. After graduating from Queens' College, Cambridge Pomfret was appointed rector of Maulden in Bedfordshire in 1695. He published a number of poems, and was regarded as significant enough in his time to be included by Samuel Johnson in his Lives of the Poets. 'The Choice' is the poem for which Pomfret is now probably most remembered, especially as it was chosen by Roger Lonsdale as the first poem in The New Oxford Book of Eighteenth Century Verse. It is a poem which celebrates an ideal life of genteel moderation in the country.

an 18th-century English poet. He is best known for his satirical verse, as well as for his translation of Homer. Famous for his use of the heroic couplet, he is the second-most frequently quoted writer in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, after Willi...

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an 18th-century English poet. He is best known for his satirical verse, as well as for his translation of Homer. Famous for his use of the heroic couplet, he is the second-most frequently quoted writer in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, after William Shakespeare. An Essay on Criticism was first published anonymously on 15 May 1711. Pope began writing the poem early in his career and took about three years to finish it. At the time the poem was published, the heroic couplet style in which it was written was a moderately new genre of poetry, and Pope's most ambitious work. An Essay on Criticism was an attempt to identify and refine his own positions as a poet and critic.

a Russian poet, novelist, and translator. He was one of the leaders of the Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Popugaev's literary career was short, about ten or twelve years, but despite this modest length he was a worthwhile and important writer. He was one of the few bright voices of the political direction that arose during the r...

a Russian poet, novelist, and translator. He was one of the leaders of the Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Popugaev's literary career was short, about ten or twelve years, but despite this modest length he was a worthwhile and important writer. He was one of the few bright voices of the political direction that arose during the reign of Catherine the Great, only to stall under Czar Paul but to be renewed with new force at the beginning of the reign of Czar Alexander I.

an English government administrator, traveller, and author of the Jacobean aopry nd Caroline eras; he is widely considered to have been the first news correspondent in English-language journalism. Early in his career, around 1597, Pory became an associate and protégé of the geographer and author more

an English government administrator, traveller, and author of the Jacobean aopry nd Caroline eras; he is widely considered to have been the first news correspondent in English-language journalism. Early in his career, around 1597, Pory became an associate and protégé of the geographer and author Richard Hakluyt. It was at Hakluyt's urging that Pory engaged in his first literary effort, a translation of a geographic work by Leo Africanus that was published as A Geographical Historie of Africa (1600). Pory also produced significant documents about the Jamestown colony in Virginia and the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts.

a bilingual poet and journalist, in both Spanish and Galician. Posada founded La Aurora de Galicia, a magazine of literature, science, and art, in 1845. He lived in Madrid between 1851 and 1852, studying painting. Moving to Vigo, he established El Faro de Vigo (1852), the oldest newspaper in Spain (still printed today), in which much of his written work appe...

a bilingual poet and journalist, in both Spanish and Galician. Posada founded La Aurora de Galicia, a magazine of literature, science, and art, in 1845. He lived in Madrid between 1851 and 1852, studying painting. Moving to Vigo, he established El Faro de Vigo (1852), the oldest newspaper in Spain (still printed today), in which much of his written work appeared. While in Vigo, using the pen name Don Lucas, Posada regularly published humorous writings as well as poetry in the Galician language and legends or leyenda.

Born in England and died in Barbados. He practiced law in Lancaster County, Virginia, as early as 1653, and three years later his name appears among the justices of the Lancaster County Court. In later years he was one of the large landholders of Middlesex County and was closely associated with Ralph Wormeley, a leading member of the Council. The narrative o...

Born in England and died in Barbados. He practiced law in Lancaster County, Virginia, as early as 1653, and three years later his name appears among the justices of the Lancaster County Court. In later years he was one of the large landholders of Middlesex County and was closely associated with Ralph Wormeley, a leading member of the Council. The narrative of his journey to New England shows that he was an advocate of strong government. Wrote a journal of a Journey from Virginia to New England in 1690

the Archbishop of Canterbury for the Church of England from 1737-1747. He was the son of a linen-draper at Wakefield, Yorkshire. At the age of fourteen he entered University College, Oxford, and in 1693 he published notes on Plutarch's De audiendis poetis and Basil's Oratio ad juvenes. In 1694 he was elected fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford and in 1697 his...

the Archbishop of Canterbury for the Church of England from 1737-1747. He was the son of a linen-draper at Wakefield, Yorkshire. At the age of fourteen he entered University College, Oxford, and in 1693 he published notes on Plutarch's De audiendis poetis and Basil's Oratio ad juvenes. In 1694 he was elected fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford and in 1697 his edition of Lycophron appeared. It was followed by his Archaeologia graeca (2 vols. 8vo, 1697–1698), the popularity of which endured till the advent of Dr William Smith's dictionaries.

an English clergyman of the Church of England, translator, poet and pamphleteer. He established the convention of using blank verse for Greek hexameters and rhymed verse for choruses. In 1788, Lewis Bagot, Bishop of Norwich, presented Potter as vicar to the combined parishes of Lowestoft and Kessingland, Suffolk, and as a prebendary of Norwich Cathedral, thr...

an English clergyman of the Church of England, translator, poet and pamphleteer. He established the convention of using blank verse for Greek hexameters and rhymed verse for choruses. In 1788, Lewis Bagot, Bishop of Norwich, presented Potter as vicar to the combined parishes of Lowestoft and Kessingland, Suffolk, and as a prebendary of Norwich Cathedral, through the patronage of Lord Chancellor Lord Thurlow, who had attended Seckar's School. Potter completed versions of the plays of Æschylus (1777), Euripides (1781–83) and Sophocles (1788) that remained in print through the 19th century.

a French diplomat, writer, explorer, physician and historian, member of the Institut de France. First as the Turkish Sultan's hostage, then as Napoleon Bonaparte's general consul at the court of Ali Pasha of Ioannina, he travelled extensively throughout Ot...

a French diplomat, writer, explorer, physician and historian, member of the Institut de France. First as the Turkish Sultan's hostage, then as Napoleon Bonaparte's general consul at the court of Ali Pasha of Ioannina, he travelled extensively throughout Ottoman occupied Greece from 1798 to 1820. With his far reaching diplomacy and with his writings, he became a prominent architect of the Philhellenism movement throughout Europe, and contributed eminently to the liberation of the Greeks, and to the rebirth of the Greek Nation.

a Welsh Anglican priest, known for his strident anti-Catholic views. Powell was a strident anti-Catholic and wrote a number of works condemning the Roman Catholic faith and its followers. His writings included Consideration of the Papists (1604), with warnings of the appalling results that would follow if Prince Henry married a Catholic, and Disputationum. ....

a Welsh Anglican priest, known for his strident anti-Catholic views. Powell was a strident anti-Catholic and wrote a number of works condemning the Roman Catholic faith and its followers. His writings included Consideration of the Papists (1604), with warnings of the appalling results that would follow if Prince Henry married a Catholic, and Disputationum. . . de Antichristo et eius ecclesia (1605) on the Pope as the Antichrist and the Roman Catholic Church as the "synagogue of Antichrist".

a novelist, writer for periodicals, and editor throughout the majority of her life. She was a respectable, hardworking writer who was frequently poor. She is often forgotten despite her many contributions. However, her legacy remains within her many works including her contributions to The Keepsake, Book of Beauty and also to the Illustrated London News and ...

a novelist, writer for periodicals, and editor throughout the majority of her life. She was a respectable, hardworking writer who was frequently poor. She is often forgotten despite her many contributions. However, her legacy remains within her many works including her contributions to The Keepsake, Book of Beauty and also to the Illustrated London News and other periodicals.

a French playwright. Early in his career, he was helped by Pierre Corneille and was introduced to the salons at the Hôtel de Nevers and the Hôtel de Bouillon by Madame Deshoulières. Pradon was born in Rouen and is the author of eight tragedies. His plays enjoyed a certain limited success, but were severely judged by his rival more

a French playwright. Early in his career, he was helped by Pierre Corneille and was introduced to the salons at the Hôtel de Nevers and the Hôtel de Bouillon by Madame Deshoulières. Pradon was born in Rouen and is the author of eight tragedies. His plays enjoyed a certain limited success, but were severely judged by his rival Jean Racine, who also wrote tragedies based on the stories of Bajazet (Bayezid I) and Phaedra

an English politician and poet. Praed began to study law, and in 1829 was called to the bar at the Middle Temple. On the Norfolk circuit, his prospects of advancement were bright, but his inclination was towards politics, and after a year or two he took up political life. His poems were first edited by more