Greek statesman and poet whose reform-oriented writings are known mostly through quotation by later Greek historians.

Greek philosopher whose teachings caused him to be condemned to death.

A versatile author who produced satire, history, drama, poetry, polemical pamphlets, and journalism, Smollett is best known for his picaresque novels such as The Adventures of Roderick Random (1748, modeled after Lesage's Gil Blas, which Smollett translated), The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle (1751), The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom (1753), and The Expedition of Humphry Clinker (1771). At the age of eighteen, he authored his first play, The Regicide (1749). His literary journalism was important as well.

The grandfather of Tobias Smollett. He sat on a variety of parliamentary commissions and committees; however, his most important position was the commissioner for union with England, first in August 1702, and more successfully in February 1706. He helped frame the articles of the union, and in 1707 was the elected member for Dunbartonshire to the first parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. His manuscript Memorials of Certain Passages of the Lord's Signal Mercies provide his comments on the affairs of the time.

This James Smollett was grandson of Sir James Smollett, grandfather also to Tobias Smollett, and was therefore Tobias Smollett's cousin. On the death of his grandfather, Sir James, James Smollett inherited the grandfather's Bonhill estate.

The second son of Sir James Smollett and uncle to Tobias Smollett.

Tobias Smollett's wife. Daughter of a Jamaican Plantation owner, Anne lived in Kingston, Jamaica with her mother, then twice widowed. Smollett met and married Anne on a visit to Jamaica in 1743. Smollett described her as 'a delicate creature, who had scarce ever walked a mile in her life.'

English wit, Anglican preacher, and advocate for parliamentary reform. His writings were incredibly influential in changing the public opinion of Roman Catholic emancipation.

Author of Conversation in Heaven. Being Devotions; consisting of meditations and prayers on several considerable subjects in practical divinity (1693).

Poet and novelist Charlotte Turner Smith provides an unusual example of a Romantic period woman who began as a coterie poet, but out of necessity became a professional writer. Charlotte Turner was born into a well-to-do family, but after the early death of her mother, she was consigned first to the care of an aunt, then to boarding school.