Born 1737.—Died 1794.—George II.—George III.
A celebrated historian, whose chief work was the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, a standard and classical work; the only fault in which is that it contains an attack on the Christian religion. It was written chiefly at Lausanne, in Switzerland, where he often stayed.
JOSIAH WEDGWOOD.
Born 1730.—Died 1795.—George II.—George III.
Born at Burslem, in Staffordshire, the son of a potter. Wedgwood had the merit of instituting an entirely new era in the manufacture of English pottery. By intelligent observation, the study of chemical appliances, and unwearied industry, he worked a complete revolution in the making, glazing, and painting of earthenware and china. His pottery-works in Staffordshire, ‘Etruria,’ became celebrated all over the world, and he earned for himself and his family great wealth as well as distinction. His delicate manufacture of embossing white figures on a coloured ground, called ‘Wedgwood ware,’ is well known and much prized. He first gave the impetus to the Staffordshire and other potteries which has enabled England to rival the first china manufactories in the world.
EDMUND BURKE,
Born 1728.—Died 1797.—George II.—George III.
Born in Dublin, was one of the most distinguished parliamentary orators ever known. He was in opposition during the Grafton Ministry (1769), but was afterwards drawn to Fox by the debates on the taxation of the American colonies, especially on tea, against which Burke made a famous speech (1771). He also supported Fox with all the splendour of his oratory under the Duke of Portland (1783). The grandest of all his speeches was said to be that against Warren Hastings, in whose impeachment he took a great part. He also spoke in the strongest way against the French Revolution, and by so doing separated himself from Fox (1791). Burke died in 1797. His writings are voluminous; the best known are his Reflections upon the French Revolution and his Discourse on the Sublime and Beautiful. He lived (when in the country), died, and was buried at Beaconsfield, in Buckinghamshire, where “Burke’s Grove” is well known.
WILLIAM COWPER.
Born 1731.—Died 1800.—George II.—George III.