a major French Renaissance writer, doctor, Renaissance humanist, monk and Greek scholar. He has historically been regarded as a writer of fantasy, satire, the grotesque, bawdy jokes and songs. His best known work is Gargantua and Pantagruel. Because of his literary power and historical importance, Western literary critics considered him one of ...

a major French Renaissance writer, doctor, Renaissance humanist, monk and Greek scholar. He has historically been regarded as a writer of fantasy, satire, the grotesque, bawdy jokes and songs. His best known work is Gargantua and Pantagruel. Because of his literary power and historical importance, Western literary critics considered him one of the great writers of world literature and among the creators of modern European writing.

a French memoirist. He was the cousin and frequent correspondent of Madame de Sévigné. In the year 1659 he fell into disgrace for having taken part in an orgy at Roissy near Paris during Holy Week, which caused great scandal. Bussy was ordered to retire to his estates at Château de Bussy-Rabutin, and beguiled his enforced leisure by composing his famous H...

a French memoirist. He was the cousin and frequent correspondent of Madame de Sévigné. In the year 1659 he fell into disgrace for having taken part in an orgy at Roissy near Paris during Holy Week, which caused great scandal. Bussy was ordered to retire to his estates at Château de Bussy-Rabutin, and beguiled his enforced leisure by composing his famous Histoire amoureuse des Gaules (written in 1660) for the amusement of his sick mistress, Madame de Montglas. This book, a series of portraits and accounts of the intrigues of the chief ladies of the court, witty enough, but still more ill-natured, circulated freely in manuscript and had numerous spurious sequels.

a French dramatist, one of the three great playwrights of 17th-century France (along with Moliere and Corneille), and an important literary figure in the Western tradition. Racine was primarily a tragedian, producing such 'examples of neoclassical perfection' as Phèd...

a French dramatist, one of the three great playwrights of 17th-century France (along with Moliere and Corneille), and an important literary figure in the Western tradition. Racine was primarily a tragedian, producing such 'examples of neoclassical perfection' as Phèdre, Andromaque, and Athalie, although he did write one comedy, Les Plaideurs, and a muted tragedy, Esther, for the young.

the most representative of English Gothic novelists. She stands apart in her ability to infuse scenes of terror and suspense with an aura of romantic sensibility. Radcliffe’s father was in trade, and the family lived in well-to-do gentility. In 1787, at the age of 23, she married William Radcliffe, a journalist who encouraged her literary pursuits. Ann Rad...

the most representative of English Gothic novelists. She stands apart in her ability to infuse scenes of terror and suspense with an aura of romantic sensibility. Radcliffe’s father was in trade, and the family lived in well-to-do gentility. In 1787, at the age of 23, she married William Radcliffe, a journalist who encouraged her literary pursuits. Ann Radcliffe led a retired life and never visited the countries where the fearful happenings in her novels took place. Her only journey abroad, to Holland and Germany, was made in 1794 after most of her books were written. The journey was described in her A Journey Made in the Summer of 1794 (1795).

a Russian author and social critic who was arrested and exiled under Catherine the Great. He brought the tradition of radicalism in Russian literature to prominence with the publication in 1790 of his Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow. His depiction o...

a Russian author and social critic who was arrested and exiled under Catherine the Great. He brought the tradition of radicalism in Russian literature to prominence with the publication in 1790 of his Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow. His depiction of socio-economic conditions in Russia earned him exile to Siberia until 1797.

a British statesman, Lieutenant-Governor of British Java (1811–1815) and Governor-General of Bencoolen (1817–1822), best known for his founding of Singapore. He was also heavily involved in the conquest of the Indonesian island of Java from Dutch and French military forces during the Napoleonic Wars and contributed to the expansion of the British Empire....

a British statesman, Lieutenant-Governor of British Java (1811–1815) and Governor-General of Bencoolen (1817–1822), best known for his founding of Singapore. He was also heavily involved in the conquest of the Indonesian island of Java from Dutch and French military forces during the Napoleonic Wars and contributed to the expansion of the British Empire. He was also an amateur writer and wrote a book titled The History of Java (1817).

an English landed gentleman, writer, poet, soldier, politician, courtier, spy, and explorer. He is also well known for popularising tobacco in England. In 1594, Raleigh heard of a "City of Gold" in South America and sailed to find it, publishing an exaggerated account of his experiences in a book that contributed to the legend of "El Dorado". In 1616, he le...

an English landed gentleman, writer, poet, soldier, politician, courtier, spy, and explorer. He is also well known for popularising tobacco in England. In 1594, Raleigh heard of a "City of Gold" in South America and sailed to find it, publishing an exaggerated account of his experiences in a book that contributed to the legend of "El Dorado". In 1616, he led a second expedition in search of El Dorado. This was unsuccessful, and men under his command ransacked a Spanish outpost. He returned to England and, to appease the Spanish, was arrested and executed in 1618.

an American born English political writer, historian, reviewer, and Grub Street hack writer known for his works of history and his position in Alexander Pope's Dunciad B. His History of England in two volumes (1744–46) and The Case of the Aut...

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an American born English political writer, historian, reviewer, and Grub Street hack writer known for his works of history and his position in Alexander Pope's Dunciad B. His History of England in two volumes (1744–46) and The Case of the Authors by Profession of 1758 became the dominant narratives of their time.

the second monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1809 to 1824. In 1809, Itsarasunthon succeeded his father Rama I, the founder of Chakri dynasty, as Loetlanaphalai the King of Siam. His reign was largely peaceful, devoid of major conflicts. His reign was known as the "Golden Age of Rattanakosin Literature" as Loetlanaphalai was patron to a n...

the second monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1809 to 1824. In 1809, Itsarasunthon succeeded his father Rama I, the founder of Chakri dynasty, as Loetlanaphalai the King of Siam. His reign was largely peaceful, devoid of major conflicts. His reign was known as the "Golden Age of Rattanakosin Literature" as Loetlanaphalai was patron to a number of poets in his court and the King himself was a renowned poet and artist. The most notable poet in his employ was the illustrious Sunthorn Phu, the author of Phra Aphai Mani.

an American physician, public official, and historian from Charleston, South Carolina. He was one of the first major historians of the American Revolutionary War. During the Revolution he served in the South Carolina legislature until he was captured by the British. After his release he served as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1782–1783 and agai...

an American physician, public official, and historian from Charleston, South Carolina. He was one of the first major historians of the American Revolutionary War. During the Revolution he served in the South Carolina legislature until he was captured by the British. After his release he served as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1782–1783 and again in 1785–1786. Afterwards he served in the state House and Senate until retiring from public service. He was murdered in 1815 by a mentally ill man whom Ramsay had examined as a physician.

an influential French humanist, logician, and educational reformer. A Protestant convert, he was killed during the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. The teachings of Ramus had a broadly based reception well into the seventeenth century. Later movements, such as Baconianism, pansophism, and Cartesianism, in different ways built on Ramism, and took advantage of ...

an influential French humanist, logician, and educational reformer. A Protestant convert, he was killed during the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. The teachings of Ramus had a broadly based reception well into the seventeenth century. Later movements, such as Baconianism, pansophism, and Cartesianism, in different ways built on Ramism, and took advantage of the space cleared by some of the simplifications (and oversimplifications) it had effected. The longest-lasting strand of Ramism was in systematic Calvinist theology, where textbook treatments with a Ramist framework were still used into the eighteenth century, particularly in New England.

a Protestant Lutheran pastor, writer, historian and expert on vampires of the Enlightenment in Germany. A pastor's son, Michael Ranft was born in Güldengossa and went to school in Chemnitz. He then studied at University of Leipzig from 1720 and where he became bachelor of philosophy. In 1724 he graduated with a masters. From 1725 he was steward to the Vice ...

a Protestant Lutheran pastor, writer, historian and expert on vampires of the Enlightenment in Germany. A pastor's son, Michael Ranft was born in Güldengossa and went to school in Chemnitz. He then studied at University of Leipzig from 1720 and where he became bachelor of philosophy. In 1724 he graduated with a masters. From 1725 he was steward to the Vice President of the Court of Appeal von Berlepsch to Groditz. In 1727 master Michael Ranft became the successor of Friedrich Wilhelm Preuser in the diaconate of the city of Nebra. While Ranft was in the care of the diaconate station, the council of the city of Nebra promised that they would repair the apartment diaconate which was dilapidated. Nothing was done until 1732 so Ranft repeatedly complained to the Presbytery of Leipzig.

an 18th-century rabbi who lived in Ottoman Empire; born and died at Jerusalem, a pupil of rabbi Hezekiah da Silva. After a journey to Europe in behalf of the halukka fund, he was elected rabbi of Smyrna, where he remained forty years. At an advanced age he returned to Jerusalem, where he was appointed to a rabbinate. He was the author of a work entitled more

an 18th-century rabbi who lived in Ottoman Empire; born and died at Jerusalem, a pupil of rabbi Hezekiah da Silva. After a journey to Europe in behalf of the halukka fund, he was elected rabbi of Smyrna, where he remained forty years. At an advanced age he returned to Jerusalem, where he was appointed to a rabbinate. He was the author of a work entitled Batei Kehunah ("Houses of the priesthood").

a British East India Company army officer, politician and Orientalist, sometimes described as the Father of Assyriology. Rawlinson's published works include four volumes of cuneiform inscriptions; The Persian Cuneiform Inscription at Behistun and Outline of the History of Assyria ; A Commentary on the Cuneiform Inscriptions of Babylon and Assyria; Notes on ...

a British East India Company army officer, politician and Orientalist, sometimes described as the Father of Assyriology. Rawlinson's published works include four volumes of cuneiform inscriptions; The Persian Cuneiform Inscription at Behistun and Outline of the History of Assyria ; A Commentary on the Cuneiform Inscriptions of Babylon and Assyria; Notes on the Early History of Babylonia; and England and Russia in the East. He also made a variety of minor contributions to the publications of learned societies.

an English naturalist widely regarded as one of the earliest of the English parson-naturalists. Until 1670, he wrote his name as John Wray. From then on, he used 'Ray', after 'having ascertained that such had been the practice of his family before him'. He published important works on botany, zoology, and natural theology. His classification of plants in his...

an English naturalist widely regarded as one of the earliest of the English parson-naturalists. Until 1670, he wrote his name as John Wray. From then on, he used 'Ray', after 'having ascertained that such had been the practice of his family before him'. He published important works on botany, zoology, and natural theology. His classification of plants in his Historia Plantarum, was an important step towards modern taxonomy. Ray rejected the system of dichotomous division by which species were classified according to a pre-conceived, either/or type system[further explanation needed], and instead classified plants according to similarities and differences that emerged from observation.

a French writer and man of letters during the Age of Enlightenment. He was educated at the Jesuit school of Pézenas, and received priest's orders, but he was dismissed for unexplained reasons from the parish of Saint-Sulpice, Paris. He became a writer and journalist, leaving the religious order for life. The Abbé Raynal wrote for the Mercure de France, and...

a French writer and man of letters during the Age of Enlightenment. He was educated at the Jesuit school of Pézenas, and received priest's orders, but he was dismissed for unexplained reasons from the parish of Saint-Sulpice, Paris. He became a writer and journalist, leaving the religious order for life. The Abbé Raynal wrote for the Mercure de France, and compiled a series of popular but superficial works, which he published and sold himself.

Rea lived at Kinlet in Shropshire. As a gardener he was reputed to have had the largest collection of tulips in England, to have introduced new plants, and to have planned the gardens at Gerard's Bromley, Staffordshire, the seat of Charles Gerard, 4th Baron Gerard, to whose son he dedicated his Flora. He corresponded with Sir Thomas Hanmer, 2nd Baronet, inte...

Rea lived at Kinlet in Shropshire. As a gardener he was reputed to have had the largest collection of tulips in England, to have introduced new plants, and to have planned the gardens at Gerard's Bromley, Staffordshire, the seat of Charles Gerard, 4th Baron Gerard, to whose son he dedicated his Flora. He corresponded with Sir Thomas Hanmer, 2nd Baronet, interested in gardening, and in particular in tulips; Hanmer commended Rea's Flora to John Evelyn, but thought him no scholar. Rea died in November 1681, bequeathing his holding at Kinlet to his daughter Minerva, wife of Samuel Gilbert.

an English novelist and dramatist, best known for The Cloister and the Hearth. Reade began his literary career as a dramatist, and he chose to have "dramatist" stand first in the list of his occupations on his tombstone. As an author, he always had an eye to stage effect in scene and situation as well as in dialogue. His first comedy, The Ladies' Battle, app...

an English novelist and dramatist, best known for The Cloister and the Hearth. Reade began his literary career as a dramatist, and he chose to have "dramatist" stand first in the list of his occupations on his tombstone. As an author, he always had an eye to stage effect in scene and situation as well as in dialogue. His first comedy, The Ladies' Battle, appeared at the Olympic Theatre in May 1851. It was followed by Angela (1851), A Village Tale (1852), The Lost Husband (1852), and Gold (1853).

a French scientist who contributed to many different fields, especially the study of insects. He introduced the Réaumur temperature scale. In 1703 he came to Paris, where he continued the study of mathematics and physics, and in 1708, aged only twenty-four, was nominated by Pierre Varignon (who taught him mathematics) and elected a member of the Académie ...

a French scientist who contributed to many different fields, especially the study of insects. He introduced the Réaumur temperature scale. In 1703 he came to Paris, where he continued the study of mathematics and physics, and in 1708, aged only twenty-four, was nominated by Pierre Varignon (who taught him mathematics) and elected a member of the Académie des Sciences. From this time onwards for nearly half a century hardly a year passed in which the Mémoires de l'Académie did not contain at least one paper by Réaumur.

a major English composer, organist, and dramatist of the Tudor period. Redford is notable as one of the earliest composers, rather than improvisers, of organ music, having notated a significant quantity of keyboard music, all of it liturgical in function, based on plainchant melodies; a few vocal works by him also survive. As he held the post of Almoner and ...

a major English composer, organist, and dramatist of the Tudor period. Redford is notable as one of the earliest composers, rather than improvisers, of organ music, having notated a significant quantity of keyboard music, all of it liturgical in function, based on plainchant melodies; a few vocal works by him also survive. As he held the post of Almoner and Master of the Choristers, Redford was responsible for the arrangement of the choristers performances, including writing and directing plays and interludes.

an English playwright and poet known for his 1761 farce The Register Office and the 1769 comic opera adaptation of Henry Fielding's Tom Jones. He devoted his leisure time to a study of English literature, and he developed literary aspirations; but...

an English playwright and poet known for his 1761 farce The Register Office and the 1769 comic opera adaptation of Henry Fielding's Tom Jones. He devoted his leisure time to a study of English literature, and he developed literary aspirations; but he always regarded himself as an amateur, and, when he began to publish, often described himself on his title-pages as "a halter-maker."

an English royalist and Anglican divine. After taking orders he was presented to the incumbency of Waltham Abbey, Essex, succeeding Thomas Fuller (1608–61), and he died there. Reeve, who was greatly admired as a preacher, published a number of sermons and devo...

an English royalist and Anglican divine. After taking orders he was presented to the incumbency of Waltham Abbey, Essex, succeeding Thomas Fuller (1608–61), and he died there. Reeve, who was greatly admired as a preacher, published a number of sermons and devotional works.

an Italian writer best known today for his extensive biographical dictionary which chronicled the lives and careers of prominent figures in the performing arts in Italy from 1800 to 1860. Described as a 'polygraph', Regli was also a poet, novelist, librettist, orator, theatre critic, and journalist. He was the founder and managing editor of several prominent...

an Italian writer best known today for his extensive biographical dictionary which chronicled the lives and careers of prominent figures in the performing arts in Italy from 1800 to 1860. Described as a 'polygraph', Regli was also a poet, novelist, librettist, orator, theatre critic, and journalist. He was the founder and managing editor of several prominent journals of the time, including Il Pirata and Strenna Teatrale Europea.

a German composer, writer and music critic. After Reichardt sent his opera Le feste galanti as a sample piece to Friedrich II, he was appointed to the position of the Royal Prussian Court Kapellmeister. Much of Reichardt's reputation as a composer rests on his Lieder that number about 1500, using texts by some 125 poets. Important among these are the setting...

a German composer, writer and music critic. After Reichardt sent his opera Le feste galanti as a sample piece to Friedrich II, he was appointed to the position of the Royal Prussian Court Kapellmeister. Much of Reichardt's reputation as a composer rests on his Lieder that number about 1500, using texts by some 125 poets. Important among these are the settings of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's texts, some of which were known to, and influenced, Schubert. He was also known by his Singspiele, a genre that he refined with Goethe's support. He also wrote 49 songs to Herder's texts. Aside from his music, his work as an essayist has maintained its value up to this day. The collection of poems Des Knaben Wunderhorn is, in the epilogue, dedicated to Reichardt. This was probably in the expectation that he would set the text to music. However, such a setting from Reichardt was never composed.

a religiously trained Scottish philosopher. He was the founder of the Scottish School of Common Sense and played an integral role in the Scottish Enlightenment. In 1783 he was a joint founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. A contemporary of David Hume, Reid was also "Hume's earliest and fiercest critic". He went to the University of Aberdeen in 1723 and ...

a religiously trained Scottish philosopher. He was the founder of the Scottish School of Common Sense and played an integral role in the Scottish Enlightenment. In 1783 he was a joint founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. A contemporary of David Hume, Reid was also "Hume's earliest and fiercest critic". He went to the University of Aberdeen in 1723 and graduated MA in 1726 (the young age was normal at that time). He was licensed to preach by the Church of Scotland in 1731, when he came of age.

a Norwegian-American writer, author and publisher as well as an early Texas pioneer and emigration activist. In 1844, Reierson wrote and published a comprehensive book about America titled Pathfinder for Norwegian Emigrants to the United North American States and Texas (Norwegian: Veiviser for norske emigranter til De forenede nordamerikanske stater og Texas...

a Norwegian-American writer, author and publisher as well as an early Texas pioneer and emigration activist. In 1844, Reierson wrote and published a comprehensive book about America titled Pathfinder for Norwegian Emigrants to the United North American States and Texas (Norwegian: Veiviser for norske emigranter til De forenede nordamerikanske stater og Texas) a comprehensive book about America published in Norway. Reierson particularly advocated Texas as the most promising regions for settlement.

a German astronomer and mathematician, considered to be the most influential astronomical pedagogue of his generation. He was born and died in Saalfeld, Saxony. In 1536 he was appointed professor of higher mathematics by Philipp Melanchthon. In contrast to...

a German astronomer and mathematician, considered to be the most influential astronomical pedagogue of his generation. He was born and died in Saalfeld, Saxony. In 1536 he was appointed professor of higher mathematics by Philipp Melanchthon. In contrast to the limited modern definition, "mathematics" at the time also included applied mathematics, especially astronomy. Reinhold catalogued a large number of stars. His publications on astronomy include a commentary (1542, 1553) on Georg Purbach's Theoricae novae planetarum.

a son of the French politician Charles de Rémusat, became a distinguished journalist and writer. He was for many years a regular contributor to the Revue des deux mondes. He stood for election in Haute-Garonne in 1869 in opposition to the imperial policy and failed, but was elected to the National Assembly in 1871 and later. In 1890 he entered the Académie...

a son of the French politician Charles de Rémusat, became a distinguished journalist and writer. He was for many years a regular contributor to the Revue des deux mondes. He stood for election in Haute-Garonne in 1869 in opposition to the imperial policy and failed, but was elected to the National Assembly in 1871 and later. In 1890 he entered the Académie des sciences morales et politiques.

a German-born Catholic humanist and a scholar of Greek and Hebrew, whose work also took him to modern-day Austria, Switzerland, and Italy and France. Most of Reuchlin's career centered on advancing German knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. At Basel Reuchlin took his master's degree (1477), and began to lecture with success, teaching a more classical Latin than w...

a German-born Catholic humanist and a scholar of Greek and Hebrew, whose work also took him to modern-day Austria, Switzerland, and Italy and France. Most of Reuchlin's career centered on advancing German knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. At Basel Reuchlin took his master's degree (1477), and began to lecture with success, teaching a more classical Latin than was then common in German schools, and explaining Aristotle in Greek. His studies in this language had been continued at Basel under Andronicus Contoblacas, and here he formed the acquaintance of the bookseller, Johann Amerbach, for whom he prepared a Latin lexicon (Vocabularius Breviloquus, 1st ed, 1475–76), which ran through many editions.

an American silversmith, engraver, early industrialist, and a Patriot in the American Revolution. He is best known for alerting the colonial militia to the approach of British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wa...

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an American silversmith, engraver, early industrialist, and a Patriot in the American Revolution. He is best known for alerting the colonial militia to the approach of British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, "Paul Revere's Ride" (1861).

an English schoolmaster poet and literary critic of the seventeenth century. Born in Suffolk, he is known for two works: Aminta Englisht of 1628, a translation from Tasso, and Mythomystes, a 1632 critical work on poetry considered to be most influenced by the Neoplatonism of the early Italian Renaissance. He was the dedicatee of a 1627 poem by Michael Drayto...

an English schoolmaster poet and literary critic of the seventeenth century. Born in Suffolk, he is known for two works: Aminta Englisht of 1628, a translation from Tasso, and Mythomystes, a 1632 critical work on poetry considered to be most influenced by the Neoplatonism of the early Italian Renaissance. He was the dedicatee of a 1627 poem by Michael Drayton. Otherwise there is sparse biographical information.

a French actress and novelist. Madame Riccoboni's work is among the most eminent examples of the "sensibility" novel; among the parallels cited in English literature are works by Laurence Sterne and more

a French actress and novelist. Madame Riccoboni's work is among the most eminent examples of the "sensibility" novel; among the parallels cited in English literature are works by Laurence Sterne and Samuel Richardson. A still nearer parallel may be found in the work of Henry Mackenzie.

a white American performer and playwright who appropriated African-American vernacular speech, song, and dance to become one of the most popular minstrel show entertainers of his time. He is considered the "father of American minstrelsy". His act drew on aspects of African American culture and popularized them with a national, and later international, audien...

a white American performer and playwright who appropriated African-American vernacular speech, song, and dance to become one of the most popular minstrel show entertainers of his time. He is considered the "father of American minstrelsy". His act drew on aspects of African American culture and popularized them with a national, and later international, audience, Rice’s "Jim Crow" persona was an ethnic depiction in accordance with contemporary ideas of African-Americans and their culture. The character was based on a folk trickster named Jim Crow that was long popular among black slaves. Rice also adapted and popularized a traditional slave song called "Jump Jim Crow".

an English author and soldier, and a distant relative of Lord Chancellor Rich. His best-known work is Riche His Farwell to the Militarie Profession'Riche his Farewell to Militarie Profession conteining verie pleasaunt discourses fit for a peaceable tyme (1581). Of the eight stories contained in it, five, he says, are forged only for delight, neither credible...

an English author and soldier, and a distant relative of Lord Chancellor Rich. His best-known work is Riche His Farwell to the Militarie Profession'Riche his Farewell to Militarie Profession conteining verie pleasaunt discourses fit for a peaceable tyme (1581). Of the eight stories contained in it, five, he says, are forged only for delight, neither credible to be believed, nor hurtful to be perused. The three others are translations from the Italian.

an English writer and peeress. She is remembered for her collections of prayers. In 1645, Lady Cramond's collection of prayers, A Ladies Legacie to her Daughters, was printed, the first and second of three parts having been written in 1625 and 1635 respectively. She had given a copy of the manuscript to her eldest daughter, Lady Cornwallis, in 1635, y...

an English writer and peeress. She is remembered for her collections of prayers. In 1645, Lady Cramond's collection of prayers, A Ladies Legacie to her Daughters, was printed, the first and second of three parts having been written in 1625 and 1635 respectively. She had given a copy of the manuscript to her eldest daughter, Lady Cornwallis, in 1635, yet a manuscript headed Instructions for my children or any other Christian is dated 1606, indicating she had begun writing motherly advice many years previous.

an English artist, collector of drawings, and writer on art, working almost entirely as a portrait-painter in London. Richardson was even more influential as a writer than as a painter according to Samuel Johnson. In 1722, Richardson published with his son, als...

an English artist, collector of drawings, and writer on art, working almost entirely as a portrait-painter in London. Richardson was even more influential as a writer than as a painter according to Samuel Johnson. In 1722, Richardson published with his son, also Jonathan (1694–1771), An Account of Some of the Statues, Bas-Reliefs, Drawings, and Pictures in Italy (1722). The book was compiled by Richardson the elder using material gathered by his son whilst touring Italy in 1721. This was a very popular book and was used by young men as a basis for their Grand Tour.

an 18th-century English writer and printer. He is best known for his three epistolary novels: Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded (1740), Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady (1748) and The History of Sir Charles Grandison (1753). Richardson was an established printer and publisher for most of his life and printed almost 500 different works,...

an 18th-century English writer and printer. He is best known for his three epistolary novels: Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded (1740), Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady (1748) and The History of Sir Charles Grandison (1753). Richardson was an established printer and publisher for most of his life and printed almost 500 different works, including journals and magazines.

the author of The Art of Jugling or Legerdemaine (1612), an apparent sequel to Martin Markall, Beadle of the Bridewell (1608 or 1610), which, although sometimes attributed to Samuel Rowlands, Rid is also likely to have authored. Martin Markall recounts a history of rogues and Gypsies in England, while the second book describes the legerdemain practiced by t...

the author of The Art of Jugling or Legerdemaine (1612), an apparent sequel to Martin Markall, Beadle of the Bridewell (1608 or 1610), which, although sometimes attributed to Samuel Rowlands, Rid is also likely to have authored. Martin Markall recounts a history of rogues and Gypsies in England, while the second book describes the legerdemain practiced by those two loosely aligned groups.

an English historian, priest and writer. Whilst he wrote a number of works, his New Universal Dictionary suffered in comparison with that written by Samuel Johnson and his 50-volume work A New History of England was unsuccessful; it was later described as one o...

an English historian, priest and writer. Whilst he wrote a number of works, his New Universal Dictionary suffered in comparison with that written by Samuel Johnson and his 50-volume work A New History of England was unsuccessful; it was later described as one of the vilest Grub Street compilations ever published. He was a chaplain and master at St Paul's School for many years, as well as being associated with the Mercers' Company and churches in the City of London.

an English author, who was educated at University College, Oxford. He served as a chaplain with the British Army. Ridley wrote two novels, The History of James Lovegrove, Esquire (1761) and The Schemer, or the Universal Satirist, by that Great Philosopher Helter van Scelter (1763); but he is mainly remembered for his Oriental pastiche Tales of the Genii, a s...

an English author, who was educated at University College, Oxford. He served as a chaplain with the British Army. Ridley wrote two novels, The History of James Lovegrove, Esquire (1761) and The Schemer, or the Universal Satirist, by that Great Philosopher Helter van Scelter (1763); but he is mainly remembered for his Oriental pastiche Tales of the Genii, a set of stories based on those of the Arabian Nights. That work, published in two volumes in 1764, was issued under the pen name "Sir Charles Morell", supposedly British Ambassador at Bombay.

the Captain of the United States merchant ship Commerce. Riley led his crew through the Sahara Desert, after they were shipwrecked off the coast of Moroccan Western Sahara in August 1815, and wrote a memoir about their ordeal. This true story describes how they came to be shipwrecked and their travails in the Sahara Desert. The book, published in 1817 and or...

the Captain of the United States merchant ship Commerce. Riley led his crew through the Sahara Desert, after they were shipwrecked off the coast of Moroccan Western Sahara in August 1815, and wrote a memoir about their ordeal. This true story describes how they came to be shipwrecked and their travails in the Sahara Desert. The book, published in 1817 and originally titled Authentic Narrative of the Loss of the American Brig 'Commerce' by the "Late Master and Supercargo" James Riley, is modernly republished as Sufferings in Africa. The book struck the nineteenth century reader because it was a startling switch on the then-usual master-slave relationship, which was white owners and black slaves.

an Alsatian German cartographer and humanist poet. Along with fellow cartographer Martin Waldseemüller, he is credited with drafting the first world map that named America as a land mass. Ringmann was born in Eichhoffen, Alsace in 1482. He became a schoolmaster and was often described as a poet. Around 1503, Ringmann visited Italy. There, he learned about t...

an Alsatian German cartographer and humanist poet. Along with fellow cartographer Martin Waldseemüller, he is credited with drafting the first world map that named America as a land mass. Ringmann was born in Eichhoffen, Alsace in 1482. He became a schoolmaster and was often described as a poet. Around 1503, Ringmann visited Italy. There, he learned about the newly discovered western lands and the explorations that took place within them. These lands were initially known as the New World, and were later named the Americas. He also came to believe that Amerigo Vespucci had discovered South America.

surgeon and cartographer ……runaway indentured servant who joined Bartholomew Sharp's "Pacific Adventure" and whose journals served as primary account of the voyage…..This English surgeon traveled through Panama with Bartholomew Sharp and his buccaneers ...

surgeon and cartographer ……runaway indentured servant who joined Bartholomew Sharp's "Pacific Adventure" and whose journals served as primary account of the voyage…..This English surgeon traveled through Panama with Bartholomew Sharp and his buccaneers between 1680 and 1682, and wrote about his travels. He was killed in Mexico.

an Italian poet, courtier, and opera librettist at the end of the Renaissance and beginning of the Baroque eras. In collaborating with Jacopo Peri to produce the first opera, Dafne, in 1597, he became the first opera librettist. He was born and died at Florence. Rinuccini wrote texts for some of the intermedi at the performance of La pellegrina at the weddin...

an Italian poet, courtier, and opera librettist at the end of the Renaissance and beginning of the Baroque eras. In collaborating with Jacopo Peri to produce the first opera, Dafne, in 1597, he became the first opera librettist. He was born and died at Florence. Rinuccini wrote texts for some of the intermedi at the performance of La pellegrina at the wedding of Ferdinand I de' Medici and Christine de Lorraine in May 1589.

a leader of the early stages of the French revolution. A noble, he was involved before 1789 in numerous scandals that left his reputation in ruins. However, during the early years (1789–91) of the French Revolution he rose to the top and became a voice of the people. Romilly was introduced to Mirabeau by Sir Francis D'Ivernois (1757–1842), and undertook ...

a leader of the early stages of the French revolution. A noble, he was involved before 1789 in numerous scandals that left his reputation in ruins. However, during the early years (1789–91) of the French Revolution he rose to the top and became a voice of the people. Romilly was introduced to Mirabeau by Sir Francis D'Ivernois (1757–1842), and undertook the translation of Mirabeau's the Considérations sur l'ordre de Cincinnatus into English. It was one of several works Mirabeau wrote in the year 1785, and it is a good specimen of his method. Several other pamphlets Mirabeau wrote in 1785 attacked financial speculation.

an English antiquarian and topographer, and the author of Survey of the County of Devon. He was able to devote most of his life to writing this work. After he completed it in about 1632 it circulated around interested people in several manuscript copies for almost 80 years before it was first published by Curll in a very inferior form. A full version was not...

an English antiquarian and topographer, and the author of Survey of the County of Devon. He was able to devote most of his life to writing this work. After he completed it in about 1632 it circulated around interested people in several manuscript copies for almost 80 years before it was first published by Curll in a very inferior form. A full version was not published until 1811.

a French Huguenot theologian. A learned Reformed theologian (or, less accurately, a Calvinist) and a relentless apologist of the Reformed faith against the attacks of the Roman Catholic Church, Rivet was in his day the most influential member of the theological faculty of Leyden; and together with his colleagues he drew up, in 1625, the Synopsis purioris th...

a French Huguenot theologian. A learned Reformed theologian (or, less accurately, a Calvinist) and a relentless apologist of the Reformed faith against the attacks of the Roman Catholic Church, Rivet was in his day the most influential member of the theological faculty of Leyden; and together with his colleagues he drew up, in 1625, the Synopsis purioris theologiae, a series of 52 academic disputations covering the main topics of Reformed theology. At Leyden Rivet also worked in the field Old Testament exegesis. His numerous writings are divided among polemics, exegesis, dogmatics, and edification.

a Welsh humanist scholar who wrote a pioneering Welsh grammar, in Welsh, while in enforced exile with his colleague and fellow-writer Morys Clynnog in Milan in 1567. He was an ardent Roman Catholic. Robert became archdeacon of Anglesey in 1558, but went into exile after the accession of Elizabeth I of England. By 1564 he was in Rome. Later in the 1580s he is...

a Welsh humanist scholar who wrote a pioneering Welsh grammar, in Welsh, while in enforced exile with his colleague and fellow-writer Morys Clynnog in Milan in 1567. He was an ardent Roman Catholic. Robert became archdeacon of Anglesey in 1558, but went into exile after the accession of Elizabeth I of England. By 1564 he was in Rome. Later in the 1580s he is thought to have been in Milan assisting Cardinal Borromeo.

a Scottish Hebraist. He was educated at Edinburgh University, taught Hebrew in London from 1653–1680, then in 1680 was appointed lecturer in Hebrew at Cambridge University. Robertson believed Hebrew could be learned by ordinary people with a minimum of linguistic background. In theology he followed David Dickson and Robert Douglas. After 1660 he had little...

a Scottish Hebraist. He was educated at Edinburgh University, taught Hebrew in London from 1653–1680, then in 1680 was appointed lecturer in Hebrew at Cambridge University. Robertson believed Hebrew could be learned by ordinary people with a minimum of linguistic background. In theology he followed David Dickson and Robert Douglas. After 1660 he had little support, and lost much of his version of the Hebrew New Testament of Elias Hutter in the Great Fire of London.

a French lawyer and politician, and one of the best-known and most influential figures of the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. By making himself the embodiment of virtue and of total commitment, he took control of the Revolution in its most radical and bloody phase – the Jacobin republic. His goal in the Terror was to use the guillotine to create...

a French lawyer and politician, and one of the best-known and most influential figures of the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. By making himself the embodiment of virtue and of total commitment, he took control of the Revolution in its most radical and bloody phase – the Jacobin republic. His goal in the Terror was to use the guillotine to create what he called a 'republic of virtue', wherein terror and virtue, his principles, would be imposed.

an English merchant and writer. He is best known for a work on religious toleration, Liberty of Conscience from 1644. He wrote extensively on trade and economics, including advocacy for English trade policy during the Rump Parliament, In economic policy his writings had some effect: in the areas of interest rates, naturalisation of foreigners, redistibution ...

an English merchant and writer. He is best known for a work on religious toleration, Liberty of Conscience from 1644. He wrote extensively on trade and economics, including advocacy for English trade policy during the Rump Parliament, In economic policy his writings had some effect: in the areas of interest rates, naturalisation of foreigners, redistibution of trades from the London centre, and inland navigation, there was a measure of economic reform in the directions he with Hartlib had proposed

an English scholar and man of letters. He is best known for his English translation of Sir Thomas More's Utopia, originally written in Latin in 1516. He graduated B.A. in 1540, and was elected fellow of his college Corpus on 16 June 1542. In March 1544 he supplica...

an English scholar and man of letters. He is best known for his English translation of Sir Thomas More's Utopia, originally written in Latin in 1516. He graduated B.A. in 1540, and was elected fellow of his college Corpus on 16 June 1542. In March 1544 he supplicated for the degree of M.A. Coming to London, he obtained the livery of the Goldsmiths' Company, and a small post as clerk in the service of his early friend, Cecil. From a poor background, he was long hampered by the poverty of the rest of his family.

a German-American author, linguist and translator, and second wife of biblical scholar Edward Robinson. None of the poetry she wrote in her St. Petersburg years were published during her lifetime, and most of it was probably destroyed. In 1816, the family moved back to Halle. Though she continued to write poetry and short stories, she was reluctant to publis...

a German-American author, linguist and translator, and second wife of biblical scholar Edward Robinson. None of the poetry she wrote in her St. Petersburg years were published during her lifetime, and most of it was probably destroyed. In 1816, the family moved back to Halle. Though she continued to write poetry and short stories, she was reluctant to publish them publicly in her own name. In 1836, she anonymously submitted "Popular Poetry of the Teutonic Nations," to the North American Review .

an English nonconforming clergyman and religious writer. He is now best known for his conduct book Matrimoniall Honour. He graduated B.A. in 1595-6, and M.A. in 1599, and was fellow from 1600 to 1608. On leaving the university Rogers officiated as minister at Haversham, Buckinghamshire. After being harassed for various acts of nonconformity, he was suspended...

an English nonconforming clergyman and religious writer. He is now best known for his conduct book Matrimoniall Honour. He graduated B.A. in 1595-6, and M.A. in 1599, and was fellow from 1600 to 1608. On leaving the university Rogers officiated as minister at Haversham, Buckinghamshire. After being harassed for various acts of nonconformity, he was suspended by the archbishop in 1629. Conforming clergy in North Essex presented a memorial to the bishop on his behalf, but he apparently left Essex for a time.

an American colonial frontiersman. Rogers served in the British army during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. During the French and Indian War, Rogers raised and commanded the famous Rogers' Rangers, trained for raiding and close combat behind enemy lines. His journals and A Concise Account of North America were published. Immediate...

an American colonial frontiersman. Rogers served in the British army during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. During the French and Indian War, Rogers raised and commanded the famous Rogers' Rangers, trained for raiding and close combat behind enemy lines. His journals and A Concise Account of North America were published. Immediately thereafter, he wrote the stage play Ponteach [Pontiac]: or the Savages of America (1766), significant as an early American drama and for its sympathetic portrayal of American Indians. Upon his return to America, Rogers moved with his wife to the fur-trading outpost of Fort Michilimackinac and began his duties as royal governor.

an English poet, during his lifetime one of the most celebrated, although his fame has long since been eclipsed by his Romantic colleagues and friends William Wordsworth, Coleridge and more

an English poet, during his lifetime one of the most celebrated, although his fame has long since been eclipsed by his Romantic colleagues and friends William Wordsworth, Coleridge and George Gordon Byron. His recollections of these and other friends such as Charles James Fox are key sources for information about London artistic and literary life, with which he was intimate, and which he used his wealth to support. He made his money as a banker and was also a discriminating art collector.

a British physician, natural theologian and lexicographer. He is best known for publishing, in 1852, the Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases (Roget's Thesaurus), a classified collection of related words. His obsession with list-making as a coping mechanism was well established by the time he was eight years old. The son of a Swiss clergyman, Roget studied...

a British physician, natural theologian and lexicographer. He is best known for publishing, in 1852, the Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases (Roget's Thesaurus), a classified collection of related words. His obsession with list-making as a coping mechanism was well established by the time he was eight years old. The son of a Swiss clergyman, Roget studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1798. His life was marked by several depressing incidents. Roget struggled with depression for most of his life. His work on the thesaurus arose partly from an effort to battle depression.

a French soldier, writer and leader of the Huguenots. It was not till the decree for the restitution of church property in the south threw the Bearnese and Gascons into open revolt that Henri appeared as a rebel. His authority and military skill were very formidable to the royalists; his constancy and firmness greatly contributed to the happy issue of the wa...

a French soldier, writer and leader of the Huguenots. It was not till the decree for the restitution of church property in the south threw the Bearnese and Gascons into open revolt that Henri appeared as a rebel. His authority and military skill were very formidable to the royalists; his constancy and firmness greatly contributed to the happy issue of the war for the Huguenots, and brought about the Treaty of Montpellier (1622).

a Spanish dramatist. Rojas Zorrilla was born at Toledo. He became a knight of Santiago in 1644. It is believed that he studied at the University of Toledo and University of Salamanca, and for a time followed a military career. His plays were published between 1640 and 1645; his greatest dramatic composition, Del rey abajo ninguno, was printed separately unde...

a Spanish dramatist. Rojas Zorrilla was born at Toledo. He became a knight of Santiago in 1644. It is believed that he studied at the University of Toledo and University of Salamanca, and for a time followed a military career. His plays were published between 1640 and 1645; his greatest dramatic composition, Del rey abajo ninguno, was printed separately under the title of García del Castañar. His works were adapted by authors outside Spain.

a Scottish poet who appears to have been a priest of the diocese of Glasgow, and to have been known in Dalkeith in 1555. He is the author of two poems, the Court of Venus and a translation of the Seven Wise Masters. The former, which was printed by John Ros in 1575, may have been written before 1560. The latter was translated from a Scots prose version at th...

a Scottish poet who appears to have been a priest of the diocese of Glasgow, and to have been known in Dalkeith in 1555. He is the author of two poems, the Court of Venus and a translation of the Seven Wise Masters. The former, which was printed by John Ros in 1575, may have been written before 1560. The latter was translated from a Scots prose version at the suggestion of an aunt ("ane proper wenche"), who had found his treatment of the courtly allegory involved and uninteresting.

an Italian opera librettist. Romanelli was born in Rome. He wrote tens of librettos, most of them for operas to be performed at La Scala in Milan. In the same city he was professor of declamation at the conservatory. Among his most successful works, La pietra del paragone for more

an Italian opera librettist. Romanelli was born in Rome. He wrote tens of librettos, most of them for operas to be performed at La Scala in Milan. In the same city he was professor of declamation at the conservatory. Among his most successful works, La pietra del paragone for Gioachino Rossini, Elisa e Claudio for Mercadante, Fedra for Mayr and La vestale for Pacini

a senior official and French writer. A preparatory pupil at the Lycée Henri IV, Romieu was admitted to the École polytechnique, he was appointed curator of Antiquities of Morbihan (1828) then sub-prefect of Quimperlé (August 1830), and distinguished himself by his vehement reports against the practice of the Breton language. He was then sub-prefect of Lou...

a senior official and French writer. A preparatory pupil at the Lycée Henri IV, Romieu was admitted to the École polytechnique, he was appointed curator of Antiquities of Morbihan (1828) then sub-prefect of Quimperlé (August 1830), and distinguished himself by his vehement reports against the practice of the Breton language. He was then sub-prefect of Louhans (1832), prefect of the Dordogne (July 14, 1833 - July 9, 1843), Haute-Marne (1843) and Indre-et-Loire (1847). During the time when he was prefect of the Dordogne , he had the department buy Cadouin Abbey, which saved him from ruin.

a French poet and "prince of poets" (as his own generation in France called him). The character and fortunes of Ronsard's works are among the most remarkable in literary history, and supply in themselves a kind of illustration of the progress of French literature during the last three centuries. His many odes are interesting, and at best are fine composition...

a French poet and "prince of poets" (as his own generation in France called him). The character and fortunes of Ronsard's works are among the most remarkable in literary history, and supply in themselves a kind of illustration of the progress of French literature during the last three centuries. His many odes are interesting, and at best are fine compositions. He began by imitating the strophic arrangement of the ancients, but very soon had the wisdom to desert this for a kind of adjustment of the Horatian ode to rhyme, instead of exact quantitative metre.

a Norwegian cartographer and military officer. He was born in Arendal; the son of merchant Herman Frøchen Roosen and Johanne Dorthea Thestrup. He was a brother-in-law of Marcus Thrane. He headed Trondhjems Ingeniørdetachement from 1845 until his retirement in...

a Norwegian cartographer and military officer. He was born in Arendal; the son of merchant Herman Frøchen Roosen and Johanne Dorthea Thestrup. He was a brother-in-law of Marcus Thrane. He headed Trondhjems Ingeniørdetachement from 1845 until his retirement in 1870. His cartographic works led to the publishment of several maps of Norway. In 1865, he published the book Om Skiløbningen, on the art of skiing.

the author of a journal of his voyage around the world (1802–1806) while working as supercargo on the sealing ship Huron. One version of Root's journey dated 1838, years after the actual journey, was a memoir dictated to Dr. Emile Gardette, his granddaughter's husband, while Root was visiting in Philadelphia for several months under the care of a Dr. McCle...

the author of a journal of his voyage around the world (1802–1806) while working as supercargo on the sealing ship Huron. One version of Root's journey dated 1838, years after the actual journey, was a memoir dictated to Dr. Emile Gardette, his granddaughter's husband, while Root was visiting in Philadelphia for several months under the care of a Dr. McClellan. While this account was interesting, it was written in the 3rd person, and lacked the immediacy of Root's own ship log, which recorded daily events as they occurred during the journey.

an English biographer. The son of a Kentish gentleman, he married Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas More. He wrote a highly regarded biography of his father-in-law. He was a member of various Parliaments (as MP for several constituencies including Rochester and Can...

an English biographer. The son of a Kentish gentleman, he married Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas More. He wrote a highly regarded biography of his father-in-law. He was a member of various Parliaments (as MP for several constituencies including Rochester and Canterbury) between 1529 and 1558 and appointed High Sheriff of Kent for 1554–55. Although he remained a Roman Catholic, he was permitted to retain his office of prothonotary of the Court of King's Bench after the accession of Elizabeth I.

a Venezuelan-born Spanish writer, politician and military officer who served in the First Carlist War and the Spanish-Moroccan War of 1859. He wrote in El Siglo and thought. He wrote the foreword to The World Devil Espronceda, described by Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo of "mystagogical apocalyptic" but gave much fame for her on romance. He collaborated with Esp...

a Venezuelan-born Spanish writer, politician and military officer who served in the First Carlist War and the Spanish-Moroccan War of 1859. He wrote in El Siglo and thought. He wrote the foreword to The World Devil Espronceda, described by Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo of "mystagogical apocalyptic" but gave much fame for her on romance. He collaborated with Espronceda in Comedy Neither the uncle and nephew, who then repudiated. He picked up his poetic creation in Poems (1886), which reveal influence of Espronceda and Enrique Gil y Carrasco .

an Italian Baroque painter, poet, and printmaker, who was active in Naples, Rome, and Florence. As a painter, he is best known as "unorthodox and extravagant" as well as being a "perpetual rebel" and a proto-Romantic. He began painting haunting landscapes, overgrown with vegetation, or jagged beaches, mountains, and caves. Rosa was among the first to paint "...

an Italian Baroque painter, poet, and printmaker, who was active in Naples, Rome, and Florence. As a painter, he is best known as "unorthodox and extravagant" as well as being a "perpetual rebel" and a proto-Romantic. He began painting haunting landscapes, overgrown with vegetation, or jagged beaches, mountains, and caves. Rosa was among the first to paint "romantic" landscapes, with a special turn for scenes of picturesque, often turbulent and rugged scenes peopled with shepherds, brigands, seamen, soldiers. These early landscapes were sold cheaply through private dealers.

was viceregal Peru's earliest satirist. Born in Spain, he travelled to the New World where he served as Secretary to the Viceroy García Hurtado de Mendoza. Notarial documentation shows him as engaged in the conquest of Tucumán, where he is named Accountant of Royal Finances and founds the city of La Rioja. He was also a land grantee in Canchanga and Camiqu...

was viceregal Peru's earliest satirist. Born in Spain, he travelled to the New World where he served as Secretary to the Viceroy García Hurtado de Mendoza. Notarial documentation shows him as engaged in the conquest of Tucumán, where he is named Accountant of Royal Finances and founds the city of La Rioja. He was also a land grantee in Canchanga and Camiquín. He probably left Peru and settled in Mexico around 1598. His works are found mainly in two manuscripts

an Italian Egyptologist. A scholar and friend of Jean-François Champollion, he is regarded as the founder of Egyptology in Italy. Rosellini accompanied Champollion in the latter's Egyptian exploration also known as the Franco-Tuscan expedition, as the leader of the Tuscan group (1828-29). Champollion's sudden death in 1832 left to the saddened Rosellini the...

an Italian Egyptologist. A scholar and friend of Jean-François Champollion, he is regarded as the founder of Egyptology in Italy. Rosellini accompanied Champollion in the latter's Egyptian exploration also known as the Franco-Tuscan expedition, as the leader of the Tuscan group (1828-29). Champollion's sudden death in 1832 left to the saddened Rosellini the whole responsibility of publishing the report of the expedition: between 1832 and 1843 he exposed the results in his most famous work, I Monumenti dell'Egitto e della Nubia, composed of three parts and nine volumes for a total of 3,300 text pages and 395 illustrated plates.

a Swedish Baroness and writer. She was known for her learning and received an education unusual for a female of her epoch, and has as such been the subject of research. From the age of seven onward, she was trained in rhetoric by conversation and by writing essays in various subjects in which she was also, in parallel, educated. She also wrote poetry and acq...

a Swedish Baroness and writer. She was known for her learning and received an education unusual for a female of her epoch, and has as such been the subject of research. From the age of seven onward, she was trained in rhetoric by conversation and by writing essays in various subjects in which she was also, in parallel, educated. She also wrote poetry and acquired a literary reputation, though her poems were not published.

an English explorer who is notable for his account of a 1605 expedition to America in which describes native peoples and fauna of northern New England. He describes a journey along a "great river", but the identity of the river is not known for certain. Rosier was among those who sailed to present-day Maine with Bartholomew Gosnold in 1602. there were three ...

an English explorer who is notable for his account of a 1605 expedition to America in which describes native peoples and fauna of northern New England. He describes a journey along a "great river", but the identity of the river is not known for certain. Rosier was among those who sailed to present-day Maine with Bartholomew Gosnold in 1602. there were three versions of Rosier's account of the voyage: a now-lost journal; a manuscript version obtained first by Richard Hakluyt and then by Purchas, who abridged it in Purchas his Pilgrimes in 1624; and yet another manuscript, perhaps edited by Hakluyt, which was published in 1605.

a prolific Scottish writer and controversialist. He was Chaplain-in-Ordinary to Charles I. By 1622 he had been appointed, through William Laud's influence, one of Charles I's chaplains, and in that year appeared The First and Second Book of Questions and Answers upon the Book of Genesis, by Alexander Ross of Aberdeen, preacher at St. Mary's, near Southampton...

a prolific Scottish writer and controversialist. He was Chaplain-in-Ordinary to Charles I. By 1622 he had been appointed, through William Laud's influence, one of Charles I's chaplains, and in that year appeared The First and Second Book of Questions and Answers upon the Book of Genesis, by Alexander Ross of Aberdeen, preacher at St. Mary's, near Southampton, and one of his Majesty's Chaplains. He was vicar of St. Mary's Church, Carisbrooke in the Isle of Wight from 1634 to his death; he left Southampton in 1642.

a Scottish poet. Alexander Ross was born to a farming family at Torphins in Aberdeenshire. He was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen and worked as private tutor for the children of Sir William Forbes of Craigievar. In 1732 he became a headmaster in Lochlee, Angus, where he would live until his death in 1784. A memorial was erected in his honour c. 1854 ...

a Scottish poet. Alexander Ross was born to a farming family at Torphins in Aberdeenshire. He was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen and worked as private tutor for the children of Sir William Forbes of Craigievar. In 1732 he became a headmaster in Lochlee, Angus, where he would live until his death in 1784. A memorial was erected in his honour c. 1854 in the old churchyard of Angus Glen where he is buried. In 1768, at the suggestion of James Beattie, he published Helenore, or the Fortunate Shepherdess.

an English poet, illustrator, painter and translator. He founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848 with William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais...

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an English poet, illustrator, painter and translator. He founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848 with William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais, and was later to be the main inspiration for a second generation of artists and writers influenced by the movement, most notably William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones. His work also influenced the European Symbolists and was a major precursor of the Aesthetic movement.

an Italian poet and scholar who emigrated to England. Rossetti's published works include literary criticism, Romantic poetry such as his long poem Il veggente in solitudine of 1846, and his Autobiography. He is thought to be the basis of the character Pesca in Wilkie Collins' 1860 novel The Woman in White. He also wrote commentaries on Dante Alighieri in whi...

an Italian poet and scholar who emigrated to England. Rossetti's published works include literary criticism, Romantic poetry such as his long poem Il veggente in solitudine of 1846, and his Autobiography. He is thought to be the basis of the character Pesca in Wilkie Collins' 1860 novel The Woman in White. He also wrote commentaries on Dante Alighieri in which he attempted to show evidence of mysterious ancient conspiracies in his works.

one of the early Russian women poets. Poems about the unrequited love comprised a large part of her poetry. In 1839 she published a book "Descriptions of High Society", which was ignored both by the readers and by critics. Although Rostopchina also wrote prose and comedy, these works did not enjoy any particular success.During her trip abroad in 1845 the poe...

one of the early Russian women poets. Poems about the unrequited love comprised a large part of her poetry. In 1839 she published a book "Descriptions of High Society", which was ignored both by the readers and by critics. Although Rostopchina also wrote prose and comedy, these works did not enjoy any particular success.During her trip abroad in 1845 the poet wrote an allegorical ballad named "Forced Marriage", in which she condemned Russia's relationship with Poland. On the orders of enraged Nicholas I, Rostopchina was forbidden to appear in the capital; and till the death of the tsar she lived in Moscow.

a French poet and tragedian. Rotrou's brilliant but hasty and unequal work showed the marks of a stronger adhesion to the Spanish model. In 1634, when he printed Cleagénor et Doristée (acted 1630), he said he was already the author of thirty plays; but this probably includes adaptations. Diane (acted 1630; pr. 1633), Les Occasions perdues (acted 1631; prin...

a French poet and tragedian. Rotrou's brilliant but hasty and unequal work showed the marks of a stronger adhesion to the Spanish model. In 1634, when he printed Cleagénor et Doristée (acted 1630), he said he was already the author of thirty plays; but this probably includes adaptations. Diane (acted 1630; pr. 1633), Les Occasions perdues (acted 1631; printed 1635), which won for him the favour of Richelieu, and L'Heureuse Constance (acted 1631; pr. 1635), which was praised by Anne of Austria, succeeded each other rapidly, and were all in the Spanish manner.

a French playwright and poet, particularly noted for his cynical epigrams. Rousseau was born in Paris, the son of a shoemaker, and was well educated. As a young man, he gained favour with Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux, who encouraged him to write. Rousse...

a French playwright and poet, particularly noted for his cynical epigrams. Rousseau was born in Paris, the son of a shoemaker, and was well educated. As a young man, he gained favour with Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux, who encouraged him to write. Rousseau began with the theatre, for which he had no aptitude. A one-act comedy, Le Café, failed in 1694, and he was not much happier with a more ambitious play, Le Flatteur (1696), or with the opera Venus et Adonis (1697). In 1700 he tried another comedy, Le Capricieux, which had the same fate. He then went with Tallard as an attaché to London, and, in days when literature still led to high position, seemed likely to achieve success.

a philosopher, writer, and composer of the 18th century. His political philosophy influenced the Enlightenment in France and across Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution and the overall development of modern political and educational thought. Rousseau was a successful composer of music, who wrote seven operas as well as music in other forms, an...

a philosopher, writer, and composer of the 18th century. His political philosophy influenced the Enlightenment in France and across Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution and the overall development of modern political and educational thought. Rousseau was a successful composer of music, who wrote seven operas as well as music in other forms, and made contributions to music as a theorist. As a composer, his music was a blend of the late Baroque style and the emergent Classical fashion. His writings included many novels and his non-fiction covered politics, philosophy, education, and other topics.

a French political and economic theorist and businessperson whose thought played a substantial role in influencing politics, economics, sociology, and the philosophy of science. He created a political and economic ideology known as industrialism that claimed that the needs of an industrial class, which he also referred to as the working class, needed to be r...

a French political and economic theorist and businessperson whose thought played a substantial role in influencing politics, economics, sociology, and the philosophy of science. He created a political and economic ideology known as industrialism that claimed that the needs of an industrial class, which he also referred to as the working class, needed to be recognized and fulfilled to have an effective society and an efficient economy.

a French soldier, diplomat and a noted diarist. He was an indefatigable writer, and he began very early to record all the gossip he collected, all his interminable legal disputes over precedence, and a vast mass of unclassified material. Most of his manuscripts were retrieved by the Crown and it was long before their contents were fully published: partly in ...

a French soldier, diplomat and a noted diarist. He was an indefatigable writer, and he began very early to record all the gossip he collected, all his interminable legal disputes over precedence, and a vast mass of unclassified material. Most of his manuscripts were retrieved by the Crown and it was long before their contents were fully published: partly in the form of notes in the marquis de Dangeau's Journal, partly in both original and independent memoirs, partly in scattered and multifarious extracts, he had committed to paper an immense amount of material.

an English dramatist, poet and miscellaneous writer, was appointed Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom in 1715. On his father's death, when he was nineteen, he became the master of an independent fortune. He was left to his own direction, and from that time ignored law to try his hand first at poetry, and then later at writing plays. The Ambitious Stepmother...

an English dramatist, poet and miscellaneous writer, was appointed Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom in 1715. On his father's death, when he was nineteen, he became the master of an independent fortune. He was left to his own direction, and from that time ignored law to try his hand first at poetry, and then later at writing plays. The Ambitious Stepmother, Rowe's first play, produced in 1700 at Lincoln’s Inn Fields by Thomas Betterton and set in Persepolis, was well received.

an Anglo-Dutch antiquary. He published in 1576 in London a guidebook to Western Europe, translated from the German, entitled The Post of the World. At the end of 1581 he secretly printed an account of the execution of Edmund Campion but was discovered and 'being apprehended, brake out of England'. In exile he resumed the name of Verstegen. In Paris he...

an Anglo-Dutch antiquary. He published in 1576 in London a guidebook to Western Europe, translated from the German, entitled The Post of the World. At the end of 1581 he secretly printed an account of the execution of Edmund Campion but was discovered and 'being apprehended, brake out of England'. In exile he resumed the name of Verstegen. In Paris he was briefly imprisoned at the insistence of the English Ambassador; in Rome, he was the recipient of a short-lived pension from the pope. In both of these cities he published accounts of the suffering of priests in England.

an English author of pamphlets in prose and verse, which reflect the follies and humours of lower middle-class life in his time. He seems to have had no contemporary literary reputation; but his work throws considerable light on the development of popular literature and social life in London, where he spent his life. It is thought that his close contact with...

an English author of pamphlets in prose and verse, which reflect the follies and humours of lower middle-class life in his time. He seems to have had no contemporary literary reputation; but his work throws considerable light on the development of popular literature and social life in London, where he spent his life. It is thought that his close contact with the middle and lower classes of society included working in 1600–1615 for William White, and then George Loftus, booksellers who published Rowlands's pamphlets during this time.

a colonial American woman who was captured by Native Americans during King Philip's War and held for 11 weeks before being ransomed. In 1682, six years after her ordeal, The Sovereignty and Goodness of God: Being a Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson was published. This text is considered a seminal American work in the literary...

a colonial American woman who was captured by Native Americans during King Philip's War and held for 11 weeks before being ransomed. In 1682, six years after her ordeal, The Sovereignty and Goodness of God: Being a Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson was published. This text is considered a seminal American work in the literary genre of captivity narratives. It went through four printings in 1682 and garnered readership both in the New England colonies and in England, leading it to be considered by some the first American "bestseller."

an English poet associated with the School of Night group of poets and writers. He graduated M.A. at Oxford on 7 July 1580. He was soon afterwards a prominent figure in literary society in London, and knew the poets of the day, including Philip Sidney, more

an English poet associated with the School of Night group of poets and writers. He graduated M.A. at Oxford on 7 July 1580. He was soon afterwards a prominent figure in literary society in London, and knew the poets of the day, including Philip Sidney, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, Thomas Lodge, and George Chapman. His friendship with Sidney he commemorated in his Elegie, or Friends passion for his Astrophill, a poem on Sidney's death. It was first published in the Phoenix Nest, 1593, and was printed with Spenser's Astrophel in Spenser's Colin Clout, 1595.

a French author, dramatist and theatre manager. As a young man, Royer belonged to a literary circle inspired by Romanticism and Liberalism, movements for which he maintained a sympathy throughout his life. His father sent him abroad where for several years he travelled in Italy and the Middle East. On his return to Paris, Royer made his literary debut with a...

a French author, dramatist and theatre manager. As a young man, Royer belonged to a literary circle inspired by Romanticism and Liberalism, movements for which he maintained a sympathy throughout his life. His father sent him abroad where for several years he travelled in Italy and the Middle East. On his return to Paris, Royer made his literary debut with a novel set in the Middle Ages, Les Mauvais Garçons, which he co-authored with Henri Auguste Barbier. It was published in 1830, the same year as his first venture into drama, Henry V et ses compagnons, co-authored with Auguste Romieu.

a Spanish lawyer who was a noted antiquarian and numismatist in the city of Cádiz, Spain. He built up a library of manuscripts and rare books and in particular was known for his extensive collection of ancient coins and medals, many of which are now in museums in Spain and Denmark. Fifty letters written to Joaquín by the liberal writer, intellectual and cr...

a Spanish lawyer who was a noted antiquarian and numismatist in the city of Cádiz, Spain. He built up a library of manuscripts and rare books and in particular was known for his extensive collection of ancient coins and medals, many of which are now in museums in Spain and Denmark. Fifty letters written to Joaquín by the liberal writer, intellectual and critic Bartolomé José Gallardo es:Bartolomé José Gallardo, dealing with various literary matters, are now in the library of the Spanish Royal Academy of History and were published in a book about Gallardo by Pedro Sáinz Rodríguez in 1986. Amongst other things they refer to the publication in 1845, by the Cádiz city council [ayuntamiento], of a late 16th-century History of the City of Cádiz by Agustín Horozco with an appendix on the coins of Cádiz written by Joaquín Rubio.

a Swedish author who wrote several popular books on housekeeping and cooking in the late 18th and early 19th century. She was an advocate of women's right to a good education in household matters and propagated this view in public debate through an anonymous letter in 1770. Along with Cajsa Warg and other female cookbook authors, she was an influential figur...

a Swedish author who wrote several popular books on housekeeping and cooking in the late 18th and early 19th century. She was an advocate of women's right to a good education in household matters and propagated this view in public debate through an anonymous letter in 1770. Along with Cajsa Warg and other female cookbook authors, she was an influential figure in culinary matters in early modern Sweden.

a German poet, translator, and professor of Oriental languages. his first volume, Deutsche Gedichte (German Poems), published in 1814 under the pseudonym Freimund Raimar, he gave, particularly in the powerful Geharnischte Sonette (Sonnets in Arms/Harsh Words), vigorous expression to the prevailing sentiment of his countrymen. Duri...

a German poet, translator, and professor of Oriental languages. his first volume, Deutsche Gedichte (German Poems), published in 1814 under the pseudonym Freimund Raimar, he gave, particularly in the powerful Geharnischte Sonette (Sonnets in Arms/Harsh Words), vigorous expression to the prevailing sentiment of his countrymen. During 1815 to 1818 appeared Napoleon, eine politische Komödie in drei Stücken (Napoleon, a Political Comedy in Three Parts) of which only two parts were published; and in 1817 Der Kranz der Zeit (The Wreath of Time).

a Swedish scientist and writer, professor of medicine at Uppsala University and for several periods rector magnificus of the same university. Between 1679 and 1702, Rudbeck dedicated himself to contributions in historical-linguistics patriotism, writing a 3,000-page treatise in four volumes called Atlantica (Atland eller Manheim in Swedish) where he purporte...

a Swedish scientist and writer, professor of medicine at Uppsala University and for several periods rector magnificus of the same university. Between 1679 and 1702, Rudbeck dedicated himself to contributions in historical-linguistics patriotism, writing a 3,000-page treatise in four volumes called Atlantica (Atland eller Manheim in Swedish) where he purported to prove that Sweden was Atlantis, the cradle of civilization, and Swedish the original language of Adam from which Latin and Hebrew had evolved.

a German educationist and poet. Rudolphi published collections of her poems in 1781, 1787 and 1796, and she published her principles on the education of girls in form of an epistolary novel, Gemälde weiblicher Erziehung (1807). Her poem Ode an Gott ("Ode to God") was set to music by Johann Heinrich Tobler in 1825 and was sung as the unofficial "national ant...

a German educationist and poet. Rudolphi published collections of her poems in 1781, 1787 and 1796, and she published her principles on the education of girls in form of an epistolary novel, Gemälde weiblicher Erziehung (1807). Her poem Ode an Gott ("Ode to God") was set to music by Johann Heinrich Tobler in 1825 and was sung as the unofficial "national anthem" of the Swiss canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden at the Landsgemeinde since 1877.

a French physician and botanist noted for the 1536 publication in Paris of De Natura Stirpium, a Renaissance treatise on botany. Ruel was born in Soissons. He was self-taught in Greek and Latin, and studied medicine, graduating in 1508, or, according to other sources in 1502. In 1509 he became physician to Francis I, devoted himself at the same time to a st...

a French physician and botanist noted for the 1536 publication in Paris of De Natura Stirpium, a Renaissance treatise on botany. Ruel was born in Soissons. He was self-taught in Greek and Latin, and studied medicine, graduating in 1508, or, according to other sources in 1502. In 1509 he became physician to Francis I, devoted himself at the same time to a study of botany and pharmacology. He was a professor at the University of Paris, and a large part of his academic career was given to an analysis of Dioscorides' De Materia Medica, of which he published a Latin translation in 1516.

an English Benedictine theologian, and bishop of Norwich from 1536 to 1549. He was a Doctor of Divinity of Gonville Hall, Cambridge in 1513. The Carthusian Thomas Spencer (died 1529) wrote A Trialogus between Thomas Bilney, more

an English Benedictine theologian, and bishop of Norwich from 1536 to 1549. He was a Doctor of Divinity of Gonville Hall, Cambridge in 1513. The Carthusian Thomas Spencer (died 1529) wrote A Trialogus between Thomas Bilney, Hugh Latimer and William Repps, in which Rugg appears to balance two reformers. He was one of the authors of The Bishops' Book of 1537.

a 19th-century British author of cookery books. Well known for her economically responsible ideas, Rundell was admired throughout the classes, although she often referred to her work as necessary for the " 'modern' middleclass housewife". A New System of Domestic Cookery was Rundell’s first book and a bestseller. It continued to be published, in revised fo...

a 19th-century British author of cookery books. Well known for her economically responsible ideas, Rundell was admired throughout the classes, although she often referred to her work as necessary for the " 'modern' middleclass housewife". A New System of Domestic Cookery was Rundell’s first book and a bestseller. It continued to be published, in revised form, throughout the next thirty-six years and was even translated into German.

a Finland-Swedish poet, and is the national poet of Finland. He wrote in the Swedish language. Runeberg's most famous work is Fänrik Ståls sägner (The Tales of Ensign Stål, Vänrikki Stoolin tarinat in Finnish) written between 1848 and 1860. It is considered the greatest Finnish epic poem outside the native Kalevala tradition and contains tales of the Fi...

a Finland-Swedish poet, and is the national poet of Finland. He wrote in the Swedish language. Runeberg's most famous work is Fänrik Ståls sägner (The Tales of Ensign Stål, Vänrikki Stoolin tarinat in Finnish) written between 1848 and 1860. It is considered the greatest Finnish epic poem outside the native Kalevala tradition and contains tales of the Finnish War of 1808–09 with Russia.

the leading English art critic of the Victorian era, as well as an art patron, draughtsman, watercolourist, a prominent social thinker and philanthropist. He wrote on subjects as varied as geology, architecture, myth, ornithology, literature, education, botany and political economy. His writing styles and literary forms were equally varied. Ruskin also penne...

the leading English art critic of the Victorian era, as well as an art patron, draughtsman, watercolourist, a prominent social thinker and philanthropist. He wrote on subjects as varied as geology, architecture, myth, ornithology, literature, education, botany and political economy. His writing styles and literary forms were equally varied. Ruskin also penned essays and treatises, poetry and lectures, travel guides and manuals, letters and even a fairy tale. The elaborate style that characterised his earliest writing on art was later superseded by a preference for plainer language designed to communicate his ideas more effectively. In all of his writing, he emphasised the connections between nature, art and society. He also made detailed sketches and paintings of rocks, plants, birds, landscapes, and architectural structures and ornamentation.