Born 1749.—Died 1823.—George II.—George III.—George IV.
An English physician, celebrated as the discoverer of vaccination as a preventive of small-pox. Born at Berkeley, in Gloucestershire, he was educated at Cirencester school, and was for several years a pupil of the celebrated John Hunter. He was rewarded with several pensions as a recompense for his discoveries and disinterested labours.
Born 1757.—Died 1823.—George II.—George III.—George IV.
The greatest of a family of actors—John Philip, Stephen, Charles, and Mrs. Siddons,—whose father was proprietor of a provincial theatre. Kemble’s fine figure and splendid face were of great service in his personation of such characters as Coriolanus, Brutus, and Julius Cæsar; Hamlet was one of his favourite parts, which particularly suited his somewhat sad and severe features. The Kemble family raised the English stage to a perfection and dignity it has never since attained.
Born 1788.—Died 1824.—George III.—George IV.
A poet, whose magnificent and musical language and passionate power conceal the want of principle and poverty of heart of most of his poems. _Childe Harold_ is the most celebrated of his works, _The Prisoner of Chillon_ and _The Bride of Abydos_, the best in aim. Lord Byron’s life was a bad one. He died at Missolonghi, in Greece.
B. 1743—D. 1825.—George II.—George III.—George IV.
Anna Letitia Aikin, daughter of Dr. Aikin, a writer and literary man. Mrs. Barbauld was the first writer of really appropriate stories for very young children, and her _Children’s Hymns in Prose_ will probably be known as long as the English language lasts.
Born 1755.—Died 1826.—George III.—George IV.
An eminent sculptor. He represented in marble the tragedies of Æschylus, Homer, and Dante. He executed two celebrated works,—“The Fury of Athamas,” and the “Cephalus and Aurora,”—and is well known by his monuments, one of the finest of which is that to Lord Mansfield, in Westminster Abbey.
Born 1778.—Died 1829.—George III.—George IV.
A celebrated natural philosopher, chiefly noted for his discoveries in chemistry and galvanism. He was the inventor of the safety-lamp for use in mines. His lectures at the Royal Institution were models of the narrative of scientific enquiry, and his general reading and information were extraordinary.