Modern English biography, volume 2 (of 4), I-Q

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

71046

Title

Modern English biography, volume 2 (of 4), I-Q

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Modern English Biography, Volume II (I-Q) offers concise memoirs of thousands of notable figures who died between 1850 and 1897. This volume covers diverse subjects including politicians, clergy, athletes, artists, and industrialists, providing a snapshot of Victorian society through factual entries on their lives and achievements.

Summary up to 500 words

Frederic Boase's *Modern English Biography, Volume II (I-Q)* serves as a comprehensive historical record of individuals who died between 1850 and 1897, capturing the breadth of Victorian life through concise memoirs. This volume profiles a diverse array of figures, ranging from high-ranking colonial administrators to cultural icons, legal scholars, and religious leaders. The text meticulously documents the careers, education, and significant contributions of men and women who shaped their respective eras. Among the distinguished officials, the volume highlights Sir Henry Singer Keating, a renowned judge and legal scholar who served as Solicitor General and later as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas. His entry details his legislative work, including the passage of the Bills of Exchange Act, and his extensive legal publications. Similarly, the book records the lives of colonial governors such as Robert William Keate, who held significant posts in Grenada, Trinidad, and Natal, and William Knight Keeling, a celebrated portrait painter and founder of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts. The volume also pays tribute to influential religious figures, most notably John Keble, a central figure in the Tractarian movement and author of the enduring *The Christian Year*. His entry notes the massive sales of his work and its impact on religious thought. Other religious entries include Isaac Keeling, a popular Methodist preacher, and Henry Keble, an agricultural reformer who pioneered allotment grounds for laborers. Beyond the elite, Boase preserves the legacies of lesser-known but impactful individuals. The text captures the lives of engineers like Robert Morrison, who invented the steam hammer, and athletes such as John Morrissey, a famous boxer and gambler who became a member of the U.S. Congress. The book also documents the careers of actors like Robert Keeley, a genuine comedian who performed at major London theaters, and the controversial astrologer Richard James Morrison, known as Zadkiel, whose almanacs predicted significant events, including the death of the Prince Consort. Through these detailed entries, the volume offers a snapshot of Victorian society, illustrating the professional endeavors and personal histories of those who lived and died during this transformative period. It stands as a testament to the era's diversity, preserving the stories of those who contributed to law, religion, science, literature, and the arts.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography