Results 21 - 40 of 481 Author Index

Bell, Mrs. I Mrs. Bell, Miss Bell I. Not identified. On April 12, 1854, Dickens wrote to Wills: "Miss – I mean Mrs. â€“ Bell's story very nice. I have sent it to the Printer, and entitled it 'The Green Ring and the Gold Ring [IX, 272-77. May 6, 1854].'" The Office Book assigns the story to Mrs. Bell, as it does also ["The Longest Night in a Life" (lead) IX, 21-25. Feb. 25, 1854]; ["Fallen among Thieves" XIII, 413-17. May 17, 1856] it assigns to "Miss Bell." The three stories (one is stated to be factual) are clearly by the same contributor. All have an atmosphere of mystery and terror. Payment for the first contribution made by post-office order; for the second, by cheque; for the third, in cash. 

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Bell, Robert I R. Bell I, 1800 (or 1803?) -1867, journalist, misc. writer. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin. For many years editor of the Atlas, then of Monthly Chronicle (which he helped found), later of Home News. Contributed to Ainsworth's, Fraser's, Bentley's Misc., Once a Week; "Stranger Than Fiction" to Cornhill. Collaborated with Horne on A New Spirit of the Age, 1844. For Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia, wrote A History of Russia and biographical material. Wrote life of George Canning; three comedies, two novels, a book of travel sketches. Brought out The Annotated Edition of the English Poets, 1854-57, his principal work. 

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Bennett, William Cox I Mr. Bennett, Bennet, Bennett I, 1820-1895, misc. writer. Born in Greenwich. Attended a school in Greenwich, but forced by death of father to discontinue his schooling at an early age. Despite scanty education, became well-read man. Took active part in educational and social betterment of his native borough, as in formation of a literary institution, reform of a charity school, establishment of public baths and wash houses. Instrumental in securing Gladstone's return to Parliament for the borough, 1868. Honorary auditor of Association for the Repeal of Taxes on Knowledge; member of London council of Education League. Contributed to People's Journal, Howitt's Journal, Ladies' Companion, London Figaro, and other periodicals. On staff of Weekly Dispatch. Privately printed two volumes of verse, 1843, 1845; thereafter published some ten volumes. With one class of readers his verse was "very sorry stuff" (North Brit. Rev., Feb. 1861); with another class it gained immense popularity. Most popular were what Bennett called his "Home Poems" – particularly his poems on infants, which earned him the title "Laureate of the Babies" (Sala, Breakfast in Bed, p. 45). "Critics have said," wrote Bennett, "that 'Baby May,' 'Baby's Shoes,' and 'The Worn Wedding-ring,' have been reprinted in almost every newspaper and popular periodical of England, America, and our Colonies" ("Preface," Poems, 1862.). In 1869 awarded Hon. LL.D. by Tusculum College, Tennessee. Thereafter was "Dr. Bennett" to his contemporaries. 

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Bergenroth, Gustav Adolf l Bergenroth l, 1813-1869, historical scholar. Born in East Prussia. Educated at Univ. of Königsberg, Lost his civil service post during political reaction following the revolutionary outbreak of 1848; helped Gottfried Kinkel escape from Spandau, then left Germany for California; returned to Europe, 1851. In 1857 began study of Tudor history, utilizing first the materials available in England, then proceeding to Spain to examine the archives at Simancas; mastered the intricate ciphers and triumphed over obstacles placed in his way by the Spanish archivists; in 1862 brought out a calendar of the documents relating to English affairs from 1485 to 1509, prefaced by "a brilliant review of the relations between England and Spain during the period" (D.N.B.); continued the work in a second volume, 1866; published also a supplemental volume, 1868. Contributed to Fraser's and Athenaeum.

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Bergh, Francis I Francis Bergh, Francis Berg l, b. 1777, sailor. Born at sea aboard a brig belonging to Hull, of which his father was master. Learned to read and write. In 1790, as apprentice on a brig, began his fifty years of sea-faring life. Four times pressed between 1798 and 1807; served on British men-of-war that convoyed merchant ships, captured French and Spanish prizes, and gave chase to American vessels. After "the Peace," shipped on a cargo boat sailing to Riga, on a South Seas whaler, on a cargo boat in Mediterranean trade, and on other vessels. Shipwrecked in 1820; lived a solitary castaway on an island for 270 days before being rescued by American schooner. In later life again served in the navy, this time of his own volition. Received honourable discharge, 1844; settled in Gosport. There, related to be written down the story of his life, intended to show the Lord's "wonderful mercies" to him in his providential escapes from death on land and sea, and to admonish readers to have trust in the Almighty. 

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Oscar I, King of Sweden and Norway from 1844 to 1859.

See Adelaide Anne Procter

Daughter of George Birkbeck, the pioneer in adult education. Married to Sándor Mednyánszky, Hungarian military officer. Date of marriage given by Godard (George Birkbeck, p. 196) as 1857.

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Blackborne. Not identified. Payment for the contribution ["Chip: A River Picture in Summer" XI, 379. May 19, 1855] made in cash. 

Author: Anne Lohrli; © University of Toronto Press, 1971. 

Blacker, Mrs. Not identified. According to her H.W. articles, the contributor was a lady of good family, wife of a Church of England clergyman (non-Puseyite) who served for some time in an English country parish inhabitated largely by the poor and labouring class. (Several clergymen named Blacker flourished at the time.) Helped her husband in his parish work. Was some fifty years old at the time of contributing to H.W. 

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Blackmore. Not identified. Perhaps Richard Doddridge Blackmore, 1825-1900, author of Lorna Doone, who by the date of the H.W. poem had published thee volumes of poetry and who throughout his literary career contributed both verse and prose to periodicals.  

Author: Anne Lohrli; © University of Toronto Press, 1971. 

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 

Blackwell, Anna l Miss Blackwell l, misc. writer, spiritualist; sister of Elizabeth BlackwelI, M.D. Born in Bristol; educated by governesses; lived for a time in the U.S., where her father, because of business reverses, took his family in 1832. With two of her sisters, conducted a school for young ladies in Cincinnati, 1838-42. Later lived in Paris. Friend of Bessie Rayner Parkes; one of signers of Barbara Leigh Smith's petition, 1856, for a Married Women's Property Bill (Haight, ed., George Eliot Letters, IV, 377n). Contributed to Once a Week, English Woman's Journal; also to French periodicals. Translated George Sand's Jacques, Elie Sauvage's The Little Gypsy; published Poems, 1853. Had been, she stated, from her cradle "a believer both in the preexistence of the soul and in the fact of spirit-manifestation"; had "the great honour and happiness of being the earliest pioneer of 'Spiritualism' on the Continent" as also "the earliest pioneer of 'Spiritism' in my native England" (Spiritualism and Spiritism). Friend of the spiritualist AIlan Kardec (i.e., Léon H. D. Rivail); translated his writings into English, 1875-78. 

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Blackwell. The contributor's article ["London Stones" XII, 228-29. Oct. 6, 1855] displays a sound knowledge of geology; it discusses the varieties of granite, slate, sandstone, coal, etc., to be seen in London streets, buildings, lapidaries' yards, and elsewhere. Payment for the contribution made by cheque. 

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Blanchard, Sidney Laman I Blanshard, Sidney Blanchard, Sidney Blanshard, S. Blanshard, S. Blanchard, Blanchard l, 1827?-1883, journalist; eldest son of Laman Blanchard. After Laman Blanchard's suicide in 1845, friends of the family came to the aid of the widow and children. According to S. M. Ellis (ed., A Mid-Victorian Pepys, p. 165n), it was through the efforts of Forster, Bulwer-Lytton, and Harrison Ainsworth that the three sons were placed in situations. Sala recorded: "I think that Sidney began his career as private secretary to Mr. Disraeli; then he drifted away into London journalism" (Things I Have Seen, I, 94). Was on reporting staff of Daily News. For a time shared chambers with J. A. Crowe, who was keeping terms at Inner Temple (Crowe, Reminiscences, p. 91.). Spent some time in France. In 1853 went to India, where he was some years newspaper editor; on his return to England, according to Sala, was called to the bar. In the 1860s, served as officer in the militia; described his experiences in "Out with the Militia," A.Y.R., July 25, 1868. Published The Ganges and the Seine, 1862, a collection of articles from H.W. and A.Y.R., together with some previously unpublished material; and Yesterday and To-day in India, 1867, a collection of articles mainly from A.Y.R. and Temple Bar; also wrote a novel, Riddles of Love, 1871.

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Writer and playwright. Son of comic actor William Blanchard. Acted as sub-editor and editor on a number of journals, including the Astrologer and Oracle of Destiny, Guide to Knowledge, Chambers's London Journal and the New London Magazine. He was the drama critic for the Daily Telegraph from 1863 to 1887, as well contributing various reviews and articles on the theatre to Fun, the Illustrated Times, the Era Almanack and Annual, the Observer, and the Era. In addition to his activities as a journalist, Blanchard was also a prolific playwright, with many of dramas, pantomimes and farces being staged in both London and provincial theatres.

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

Bourne, Henry Richard Fox I Bourne l, 1837-1909, author, reformer. Born in Jamaica. Entered London University, 1856; at other London institutions, also attended classes and lectures, among them Henry Morley's lectures on language and literature at King's College; later became Morley's friend and assistant. Clerk in War Office, 1855-70, spending his leisure time in writing. Contributed to Examiner, Reader, Athenaeum, Gent. Mag., and other periodicals. Owner of Examiner, 1870-73; editor of Weekly Dispatch, 1876-87. Thereafter, devoted his life almost entirely to work of the Aborigines Protection Society; edited Society's journal; wrote articles and books bringing to public attention the cruel treatment of native races, and protesting against slave traffic. Author of A Memoir of Sir Philip Sidney, 1862; English Merchants, 1866, and other books tracing England's cornmercial growth and colonial expansion; The Life of John Locke, 1876; English Newspapers, 1887. 

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Political economist, linguist, writer, traveller and Fourth Governor of Hong Kong.

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

Boyle, Mary Louisa I The Honble Miss Boyle l, 1810-1890, writer; daughter of Vice-Admiral the Hon. Sir Courtenay Boyle. For the most part privately educated, but attended a young ladies' school for about four years. Moved in sodal circle of the titled and the literary. Author of The State Prisoner and The Forester, novels influenced by those of G. P. R. James; Tangled Weft, two stories; The Bridal of Melcha, a drama in verse; a privately printed volume of poems dedicated to Landor; biographical notices of the portraits at Longleat and at other estates, privately printed. Her pleasant book of reminiscences, Mary Boyle, Her Book, published posthumously. 

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Bradburn, Mrs. Address: Shirley, Southampton. Southampton directories, 1849-59, do not list a Mrs. Bradburn. The address must have been a temporary one. The contributor may be Eliza Weaver Bradburn, daughter of the Rev. Samuel Bradburn (the Office Book at times confounds "Miss" and "Mrs."), editor of her father's Sermons, 1817, and writer of booklets for children. Copies of three of the booklets are in the Brit. Mus.: The Story of Paradise Lost, for Children, 1830; The Endless Story, in Rhyme, 1843, little moral stories taken from F. W. Carové's Mährchen ohne Ende; and Rosa; or, The Two Castles, 1863, a pious little tale adapted from "a French work." The Endless Story is dated from La Haule, Jersey. Living on one of the Channel Islands, the author may well have become familiar with Channel Island legends and stories, as with the Guernsey tradition related in the H.W. poem (the story appears in F. F. Dally, The Channel Islands, 1858). The writing is that of an amateur.

Author: Anne Lohrli; © University of Toronto Press, 1971. 

Brockedon, William I Brockenden l, 1787-1854, painter, author, inventor. F.R.S. Attended school in Tomes, Devon. For five years after death of his father, carried on father's business of watchmaker, meanwhile devoting free time to drawing. Studied at Royal Academy, 1809-1815; exhibited at Royal Academy and at British Institution; elected member of Academy of Rome and of Florence. His career as author resulted from his interest in determining route taken by Hannibal across the Alps (his conclusion: the pass of the Little St. Bernard); in 1824 made first excursion for this purpose (had previously made excursions to the Alps in 1821 and 1822); during following years crossed the Alps nearly sixty times. Published, 1827-29, Illustrations of the Passes of the Alps, both letterpress and drawings by him; Journals of Excursions in the Alps, 1833; Italy, Classical, Historical, and Picturesque, 1842-44. Also edited or wrote parts of other travel books. Contributed to Literary Gazette, Fraser's, Blackwood's. Throughout his life was interested in mechanical and scientific matters; devoted later years largely to this interest; patented various of his inventions, as for corks, wadding for firearms, use of compressed lead dust in pencil making, application of vulcanized India rubber to manufactures (Brockedon coined the word "vulcanization").

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