: Victorian Worthies: Sixteen Biographies by Blore George Henry - Great Britain Biography; Great Britain History Victoria 1837-1901 Biography; Great Britain Intellectual life 19th century

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INTRODUCTION: THE VICTORIAN ERA 1. THOMAS CARLYLE. Prophet 2. SIR ROBERT PEEL. Statesman 3. SIR CHARLES NAPIER. Soldier 4. THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY. Philanthropist 5. LORD LAWRENCE. Administrator 6. JOHN BRIGHT. Tribune 7. CHARLES DICKENS. Novelist and Social Reformer 8. LORD TENNYSON. Poet 9. CHARLES KINGSLEY. Parish Priest 10. GEORGE FREDERICK WATTS. Artist 11. BISHOP PATTESON. Missionary 12. SIR ROBERT MORIER. Diplomatist 13. LORD LISTER. Surgeon 14. WILLIAM MORRIS. Craftsman 15. JOHN RICHARD GREEN. Historian 16. CECIL RHODES. Colonist INDEX

PREFACE Some excuse seems to be needed for venturing at this time to publish biographical sketches of the men of the Victorian era. Several have been written by men, like Lord Morley and Lord Bryce, having first-hand knowledge of their subjects, others by the best critics of the next generation, such as Mr. Chesterton and Mr. Clutton-Brock. With their critical ability I am not able to compete; but they often postulate a knowledge of facts which the average reader has forgotten or has never known. Having written these sketches primarily for boys at school I am not ashamed to state well-known facts, nor have I wished to avoid the obvious.

Nor do these sketches aim at obtaining a sensation by the shattering of idols. I have been content to accept the verdicts passed by their contemporaries on these great servants of the public, verdicts which, in general, seem likely to stand the test of time. Boys will come soon enough on books where criticism has fuller play, and revise the judgements of the past. Such a revision is salutary, when it is not unfair or bitter in tone.

At a time when the subject called 'civics' is being more widely introduced into schools, it seems useful to present the facts of individual lives, instances chosen from different professions, as a supplement to the study of principles and institutions. There is a spirit of public service which is best interpreted through concrete examples. If teachers will, from their own knowledge, fill in these outlines and give life to these portraits, the younger generation may find it not uninteresting to 'praise famous men and our fathers that begat us'.

I am indebted to Mr. Emery Walker for assistance in the selection of the portraits.

Three of my friends have been kind enough to read parts of the book and to give me advice: the Rev. A. T. P. Williams and Mr. C. E. Robinson, my colleagues here, and Mr. Nowell Smith, Head Master of Sherborne. I owe much also to the good judgement of Mr. Milford's reader. If I venture to thank them for their help, they are in no way responsible for my mistakes. Writing in the intervals of school-mastering I have no doubt been guilty of many, and I shall be grateful if any reader will take the trouble to inform me of those which he detects.

G.H.B.

WINCHESTER,

LIST OF PORTRAITS

Thomas Carlyle From the painting by G. F. WATTS in the National Portrait Gallery.

Sir Robert Peel From the painting by J. LINNELL in the National Portrait Gallery.

Sir Charles Napier From the drawing by EDWIN WILLIAMS in the National Portrait Gallery.

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