LORD BYRON.
Poets.—Lord George Gordon Byron, of England (b. January 22, 1788; d. April 19, 1824), is a remarkable instance of a poet of marvelous natural powers, mingling good and evil in accordance with the whim that took him; yet exhibiting distinctly, through it all, evidences of a great soul and genius. He created an epoch in the world’s poetic literature. Skeptical, cynical, melancholy even to sentimentality, and skillfully manipulating the public side of his affairs to keep up a most fascinating air of romantic mystery about them all, he succeeded in affecting public thought with these characteristics to a wonderful extent. As a result, “Byronism,” for a time, was the absorbing rage in all prominent circles, literary and even social.
Henry W. Longfellow (b. February 27, 1807; d. March 24, 1882) is possibly the century’s finest type of the people’s poet. Though by no means a poet of great imaginative or creative powers, yet few reached his perfect skill as a painstaking and unerring artist; while none have ever surpassed him in creating that atmosphere of subtile beauty which always seems to surround and penetrate his verse. As an epoch-maker his influence extended even to Europe, and especially to England, securing him a fame wider and greater than that of any other American poet, and rarely failing to win the enduring affection of all kinds of readers.
John Greenleaf Whittier (b. December 17, 1807; d. September 7, 1892), as an editor and poet contributed no little to the cause of the abolitionists. Together with Longfellow, Holmes, Lowell, Hawthorne, and Emerson, he may be considered an epoch-maker in the development of American literature as guided by the spirit of New England. He types the sweet, simple, and absolutely sincere poet whose verse breathes forth a strong patriotism, and is redolent of the healthful home life of the Eastern States.
Sir Alfred Tennyson, of England (b. August 6, 1809; d. October 6, 1892), was by far the leading representative of those English poets who, while not wanting in the fire and spontaneity of true genius, nevertheless wrote carefully, after long reflection, with calculation and toil, as to diction, polish, and arrangement of sentences and thoughts. His highly-wrought “In Memoriam” and his exquisite, though somewhat sensuous “Idylls of the King” were absolutely novel, and mark an epoch in the history of the world’s poetry.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (b. 1809; d. June 29, 1861) is, without doubt, the greatest poetess of the present century and probably of any other. She presents an extraordinary instance of the grasp, comprehensiveness, and logic of man’s intellect, united with the intuitions, deep emotions, impulses, and visions of woman. Her especial contribution to the progress of this century is not only to the wealth of its poetry, but also to the careful and discriminating consideration of many of its social problems.
Robert Browning (b. in London, May 7, 1812; d. in Venice, December 12, 1889) was the foremost of psychological poets. Belonging to “The Romantic School,” he created an epoch in literature by carrying his high ideals and wonderful efforts of genius over into what became known as “The Spasmodic School.”
Actors.—Edmund Keene, of England (b. 1787; d. May 15, 1833), was one of the greatest and most popular actors of all time. He typified, and greatly contributed to the success of, that school of actors who rely almost solely on their own native genius and acquired powers, rather than on the aid of externals. He has been called both the “Byron” and the “Napoleon” of actors, and seemed to have the most extraordinary power both of catching and revealing the meaning of Shakespeare, with the quickness and vividness of the lightning flash.
Edwin Forrest (b. March 9, 1806; d. December 12, 1872) was a tragedian of the robust type. His success upon the stage was signal, owing to natural genius, superb form, and noble presence. For more than a generation he rendered effective and kept popular the leading tragedies of Shakespeare, and others suited to his powers. The Actors’ Home at Philadelphia was endowed by him, and stands as his monument.
Edwin Booth (b. November 13, 1833; d. June 7, 1893) stood as the exponent of the refined and lofty in drama. Through his rare histrionic powers he became a recognized interpreter of such characters as Richard III., Shylock, Lear, Iago, Othello, Brutus, etc., but he never appeared to better advantage than in Hamlet. His ability was as fully recognized abroad as at home. He expended $175,000 in establishing the Players’ House and Club in New York.