Volume 1

The universal dictionary of biography and mythology / by J. Thomas.

  • Joseph Thomas
Date:
[1887]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The universal dictionary of biography and mythology / by J. Thomas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    this performance is variously estimated by orthodox divines ; and Pope thus alludes to it in the “Dunciad “We nobly take the high priori road, And reason downward till we doubt of Clod.” He translated Newton’s “Optics” into Latin in 1706. Through the patronage of Bishop More, he became, about 1709, rector of Saint James’s, London, and chaplain to Queen Anne. In 1712 he produced a good edition of Cxsar’s “Commentaries,”and “The Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity,” which occasioned a long controversy and exposed him to the charge of Arianism. He wrote in defence of the Newtonian philosophy against Leibnitz, with whom he had a discussion on Philosophical Liberty and Necessity. In 1724 he was chosen master of Wigs- ton Hospital, and published a volume of sermons. He contributed mathematical treatises to the “ Philosophical Transactions” in 1728, and published in 1729 an edition of Homer, with a Latin version and notes, which long enjoyed a high reputation, and is still used by students of Homer. He died in May, 1729. Addison calls Dr. Clarke “ one of the most accurate, learned, and judicious writers this age has produced.” Voltaire regarded him as a mere reasoning-machine, (tin moulin cl raisonnement.) “ With a mind,” says Dugald Stewart, “ far inferior to that of Locke in comprehensive- ness, originality, and fertility of invention, he was never- theless the more wary and skilful disputant of the two.” See Hoadly, “Life of S. Clarke;” William Whiston, “ His- torical Memoirs of Samuel Clarke,” 174S; D. Stewart, “Prelimi- nary Dissertation” in the “ Encyclopaedia Britannica.” Clarke, (Samuel,) D.D., a grandson of Dr. Samuel Clarke of Norwich, was pastor to a congregation of dis- senters at Saint Alban’s. He published a “Collection of the Promises of Scripture under their Proper Heads.” Died in 1769. Clarke, (Sarah J.) See Lippincott. Clarke, (William,) an English priest and antiquary, born in Shropshire in 1696. He became rector of Bux- ted in 1724, and prebendary of Chichester in 1738. He published “ The Connexion of the Roman, Saxon, and English Coins.” Diedini77i. Edward Clarke, author of “ Letters on the Spanish Nation,” was his son. Clark'son, (David,) an eminent nonconformist di- vine, born at Bradford, England, in 1622. lie was ejected from the living of Mortlake in 1662, and succeeded Dr. Owen in 1683. Baxter calls him “a divine of extraor- dinary worth.” He published sermons and other theo- logical treatises. Died in 1686. Clarkson, (Thomas,) an English philanthropist, whose name is memorably identified with the abolition of the slave-trade, was born at Wisbeach, Cambridge- shire, in 1760. He gained the first prize for a Latin dis- sertation in Saint John’s College, Cambridge, in 1784. In the next year his interest was first excited in the question of slavery, when the vice-chancellor announced that the senior bachelors would compete for the prize by Latin essays on this subject: “ Is involuntary ser- vitude justifiable ?” He composed an essay, which was successful; and he was so deeply impressed with the iniquity and miseries of the slave-trade that he con- tinued to meditate on and investigate the subject, until, from a sense of duty, he resolved to devote himself en- tirely to the cause of the slaves. His essay led him into communion with William Dillwyn, George Harrison, and a few other “ Friends” of London, who as early as 1783 had formed themselves into an anti-slavery com- mittee. The Society of Friends had been the earliest pioneers in this reform, having in 1760 refused the privi- leges of fellowship to all who took part in the “guilty traffic.” Clarkson collected and diffused information on the subject with unwearied zeal and diligence, and never quailed before the violence and threats of those whom self-interest made his enemies. He found a powerful coadjutor in Wilberforce, who in May, 1789, made an eloquent speech in the House of Commons against the traffic. In 1790 he spent several months in Paris, where he conferred with Mirabeau, who asked and received from him ample assistance in composing a speech on the subject. The immense efforts of Clarkson and his friends were often defeated in Parliament; and the tri- umph of the cause was reserved to the ministry of Fox. In March, 1807, the “Magna Charta of Africa was com pleted.” In 1808 he published “The History of the Abolition of the Slave-Trade,” (2 vols.) He was chosen in 1823 vice-president of the Anti-Slavery Society, just formed, and lived to witness the abolition of slavery in the West Indies in 1838. He was the author of a “ Portraiture of Quakerism,” and of “ Memoirs of the Life of William Penn,” {1813.) Died in 1846. See Thomas Taylor, “ Life of T. Clarkson;” Thomas Clark- son; a Monograph,” by James Elmes, London, 1854. Clarus, kli'rus, (Johann Christian August,) a German physician, born at Buch-am-Forst, in Franconia, in 1775. He was professor of medicine at the University of Leipsic for nearly forty years, beginning in 1810. He published “ Views on the Progress of the Cholera,” (1831,) and other works. Cla'son, (Isaac,) an American poet and actor, born in New York in 1789. He produced a continuation of Byron’s “ Don Juan,” (1825,) and a collection of poems, entitled “ Horace in New York,” (1826.) He committed suicide in London in 1834. See Griswold, “Poets and Poetry of America.” Clauberg, klow'bSRG, (Johann,) a Cartesian philo- sopher, born at Solingen, in Westphalia, in 1622. He taught at Herborn and Duisburg. He was one of the most profound disciples of Descartes. His works were published under the title of “Opera Philosophica,” (2 vols., 1691.) Died in 1665. See Morhof, “Polyhistor Literarius.” Claude, the French of Claudius, which see. Claude, klod, (Jean,) an eminent French Protestant minister, born at La Sanvetat, near Agen, in 1619. He preached at Nimes and Montauban, and in 1666 became pastor of Charenton, near Paris. His eloquence and wisdom rendered him one of the most influential leaders of the Protestant cause in France. He had several dis- putes with Bossuet and Arnauld on theology. When the edict of Nantes was revoked, (1685,) he retired to the Hague, where he died in 1687. “ Bossuet,” says Hallam, “ was the acknowledged champion of the Roman Church in France ; Claude was in equal pre-eminence on the other side.” He was the author of a “ Defence of the Reformation,” (1673,) and many other works. See Abel Rodolphe de Laderize, “ Abregd de la Vie de M. Claude,” 16S7; Bayle, “ Historical and Critical Dictionary;” NicE- RON, “ Memoires.” Claude, (Jean Jacques,) a grandson of the preceding, was born at the Hague in 1684. He became pastor of the French church in London in 1710, and died in 1712. Claude de France, klod deh IrSnss, the daughter of Louis XII., was born at Romorantin in 1499. She was married to Francis I. in 1514. Historians praise her eminent virtues. Died in 1524. Claude de Turin. See Claudius of Turin. Claude Lorrain,* klaud (or klod) lor-ran', [Fr. pron. klod lo'riN',] the prince of landscape-painters, was born at the Chateau de Chamagne, in Lorraine, in 1600. His proper name was Claude Gelee, (zheh-14'.) He went to Rome in early youth, and studied under G. Waals at Naples about two years. He then became a pupil of Agostino Tassi, a landscape-painter of Rome. There is a doubtful tradition that he served Tassi as cook, also that he was originally an apprentice to a pastry- cook. He observed with constant attention the Italian scenery, and the phenomena of nature as modified by the ever-changing hours and seasons. After a tour of two years in France and Germany, he returned to Rome in 1627, was patronized by Urban VIII., and rose rapidly to pre-eminence in his department of art. His works are not exact transcripts of real nature, but combinations of picturesque scenes, selected with taste and idealized with inimitable art. “ Every period of the day, with all its elemental vicissitudes, has been successfully embodied by his magic pencil.” His colouring is rich, delicate, and harmonious. His aerial perspective has probably never * The last part of this name is often incorrectly written Lorraine. It should be remembered that it is an adjective, agreeing with Claude- in the masculine gender, which is always without the final e. The whole name signifies “ Claude the Lorraincr.” In case we should say Claude of Lorraine, it should then be written with the e, as refer- ence is made to the province of Lorraine, which is feminine.