JOHN FLAMSTEAD.
Born 1646.—Died 1719.—Charles I.—Charles II.—James II.—William III.—Anne.—George I.
The first astronomer-royal after Greenwich Observatory was built. He made many astronomical discoveries, and drew up the catalogue of the stars seen in our astronomical hemisphere.
JOSEPH ADDISON.
Born 1672.—Died 1719.—Charles II.—James II.—William III.—Anne.—George I.
Was born at Milston, in Wiltshire, of which his father was Rector, and educated at the Charter House and Magdalene College, Oxford. He is chiefly known by his papers in the Spectator and Tatler. His style was pure and flowing, though more polished and artificial than the English of the present day. He held several appointments, and became Secretary of State. He died at Holland House, Kensington.
JOHN CHURCHILL,
Born 1650.—Died 1722.—Charles II.—James II.—William III.—Anne.—George I.
Duke of Marlborough. This celebrated general, born in Devonshire, went to court as a page under Charles II. He married the beautiful Sarah Jennings, became attached to the Duke of York (James II.), and rose rapidly, through his great military genius. James II. created him Lord Churchill, and by basely forsaking him for William III., he was created Earl of Marlborough. In the war of the Spanish Succession (1702) Marlborough dashed from the Low Countries (Belgium) to Bavaria, and defeated the French and their allies at Donauwert, Blenheim (on the Danube, thirty-three miles from Ulm), Ramilies, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, and Arleux, and in numberless smaller engagements. After the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, Marlborough was created a Duke, and received from the nation a property and splendid palace near Woodstock, built by Sir John Vanbrugh, and called Blenheim. Marlborough was unhappy in his private life.