England 1774; made poet laureate 1813, and died in 1843.

Spencer, William Robert.-A writer of "Society Verses," also of what may be termed domestic poems, was born in England in 1770, and died in 1834.

Spenser, Edmund.-One of the fathers of English literature. His most renowned poem is the "Faerie Queene." Born in England 1553; died 1599.

Spofford, Harriet Prescott.-Born at Calais, Maine, 1835. She is the author of several volumes of prose writings, and has written poems which have met with marked favor.

Sprague, Charles." The banker-poet," born in Boston, Massachusetts, 1791; died in 1875.

Stedman, Edmund Clarence.-Journalist, poet, and critic, was connected with newspapers in Norwich and Winsted, Connecticut, before devoting himself wholly to authorship. Few of the younger poets of América have gained the favor granted to his writings, which are marked by severe taste and scholarly culture. Born at Hartford in 1833.

Sterling, John.-A meritorious poet, born in Scotland, 1806; died in 1844.

Stevens, George Alexander.- An English poet, born in 1720; died in 1784.

Stoddard, Richard Henry.-Our American poet, whose chaste and elegant writings have graced the literature of his native land, published his first volume in 1842, and a complete edition of his works in 1880. Most of his life has been devoted to journalism in New York; he was at one time editor of The Aldine, an illustrated journal of first rank. Born at Hingham, Massachusetts, 1826.

Stowe, Harriet Beecher.-A name which holds highest rank in American literature. As the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin "she gained a world-wide celebrity. Her subsequent writings have met with very high appreciation, and few authors in modern times have had so large a circle of readers and admirers. Born at Litchfield, Connecticut, 1812.

Swain, Charles.-An engraver by occupation, and possessed of natural genius which distinguished him as a poet. Born in England 1803, died in 1874.

Swift, Jonathan.-An acknowledged genius, whose humorous and satirical writings gave him great fame. He was born of English parents in Dublin, Ireland, in 1667; author of "The Tale of a Tub," "Gulliver's Travels," and other works which have gained celebrity. Died in 1745.

Swinburne, Algernon Charles.—An English poet, whose works have been admired for their genius, and severely criticised for their lack of moral sentiment. They show a strange obscurity in style, combined with a remarkable variety of unusual measures. Born in 1837.

Tappan, William Bingham.-Especially distinguished as a hymn writer. 'There is an Hour of Peaceful Rest," and " 'Tis Midnight and on Olive's Brow," are among his favorite pieces. Born in Massachusetts, 1795; died in 1849.

Taylor, Bayard.-Renowned as author of works of travel, eminent also as poet and miscellaneous writer. For many years he was a journalist, and was connected with the New York Tribune. Born at Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, 1825; died while United States Minister, at Berlin, Germany, in 1878.

Tennyson, Alfred.-England's poet-laureate, born in 1809. His splendid genius has given him the first place among English poets. His works are marvels of beauty, profound thought, ardent feeling and felicitous style. Tennyson is perhaps even more popular in America than in his own country.

Thomson, James.-The distinguished author of "The Seasons," in which word-painting is carried to a high degree of perfection. His writings are rich in thought and expression, and are remarkable alike for simplicity and luxuriance of language. Born in 1700; died in 1748.

Thorpe, Rose Hartwick.—Author of the wellknown poem, "Curfew Must Not Ring To night," was born at Litchfield, Michigan, 1840.

Timrod, Henry.-An American poet of fine endowments. His poems are remarkable for pathos and beautiful description. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, 1829; died in 1867.

Tilton, Theodore.-Formerly editor of The New York Independent; a journalist and poet of versatile talents, and writer of fiction. Born in New York in 1835.

Upton, James.-Author of "The Lass of Richmond Hill," born in England in 1670: died in 1749.

Waller, Edmund.-Popular as a poet in his day, but not celebrated subsequently. Many of his poems, however, are well worth reproducing, and have unquestioned merit. He was born in England in 1695, and died in 1687.

Watts, Isaac.-For generations Watts' hymns have been known and sung. Their number and excellence have never been surpassed. Watts was a poet from his childhood, and expressed himself in verse almost as easily as in prose. Apart from his sacred lyrics, he was a well known author, his works being especially valuable for their practical and moral character. Born in 1674; died in 1748.

Webster, Daniel.-One of America's most distinguished statesmen and orators, whose intellectual and oratorical triumphs at the bar and in the forum were long the pride of his country. He had warm political friends and bitter enemies. The latter accused him of a time serving spirit, and an unscrupulous ambition to obtain the Presidency. His literary style is pure and elevated, and all his writings, including his political speeches, bear the stamp of the highest order of genius. Born at Salisbury, New Hampshire, in 1782; died at Marshfield, Massachusetts, 1852.

Welby, Amelia B. Coppuck.-Her poetry is held in high esteem for its power of description. Born at St. Michaels, Maryland, 1821; died in 1852.

Wheeler, Ella.-The latest addition to American poets; a resident of Michigan, and subsequently of Connecticut. She has been a contributor to the press, and has also issued a volume of poems.

Whitcher, Frances Miriam.-Author of the famous "Widow Bedott Papers," which were first issued in Goodey's Lady's Book, Philadelphia, and sent a ripple of laughter throughout the country. The humor is perennial, and "Elder Sniffles" and "Widow Bedott" are characters known not only on the stage, but in almost every household of the land. Born at Whitesborough, New York, in 1812; died in 1852.

White, Henry Kirke.-One of England's gifted young poets, whose early death was much lamented. He had already given signs of unusual distinction as a poet, and his works are still treasured by the lovers of

pure sentiment and vivid coloring. Born in 1785; died in 1806.

Whittier, John Greenleaf.—“The Quaker Poet" His poems are models of spiritual, benevolent and patriotic sentiment. Having a warm sympathy with the poor and oppressed, he has employed his graceful pen with fine effect in the cause of humanity, and no author of our time is more beloved. Born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, 1807. The publishers of Whittier's works are Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, Massachusetts.

Willis, Nathaniel Parker.-A poet of distinction, whose "Sacred Poems" especially, have had a large circle of admirers. His versification is easy, and his descriptions abound in word painting of a high order. Willis was also successful as a journalist, and a favorite in general society. Born in Portland, Maine, 1807; died in 1867.

Wilson, Arabella M.-Author of the highly humorous poem, To the Sextant."" Born at Canandaigua, New York.

Wilson, Byron Forsythe.-An American poet of great promise, already distinguished by his original and masterly productions, when his successful career was terminated by death. "The Old Sergeant," published in 1863 as the "Carrier's Address" of the Louisville Courier Journal, ranks among the best of its kind. Born in New York 1837; died in 1867.

Wilson, John.—One of the ornaments of Scottish literary circles, a man of high attainments, fine taste, and extensive popularity. He was born in 1785; died in 1834.

Wolfe, Charles.-Lord Byron pronounced his ode on "The Burial of Sir John Moore," the most perfect in the language. His poems are few, his life having been devoted to clerical pursuits. Born in Ireland, 1791; died in 1823.

Wordsworth, William.-A great name in the literature of England. Wordsworth has been called "the poet of nature," his vivid descriptions of the external world being among the finest products of his pen. His writings show a certain gravity and thoughtfulness which render them enduring monuments of literary genius, although hindering the sudden appreciation of their transcendent excellence. Born in 1770; made poet laureate in 1843; died in 1850.