Statesman, philosopher, historian, and sometime poet, Irish-born Edmund Burke is by far the most articulate representative of the conservative perspective on the French Revolution. His Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790) responds critically to a pro-revolution sermon by Rev. Richard Price by castigating the French for their failure to respect historically sanctioned traditional government and private property.
John Burgoyne was a British general, as well as a popular playwright. As a soldier, he took part in the Seven Years’ War as well as the American Revolution. Burgoyne fought in several Canadian battles during the Revolutionary War, and he led an ultimately ill-fated excursion to cut off the New England colonies from the southern colonies. The excursion resulted in Burgoyne surrendering, bringing him back to England in dishonor. Burgoyne saw success as a dramatist, having written several plays, the most notable of which were The Maid of the Oaks (1774) and The Heiress (1786).
A powerful political figure, Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent, served as an ambassador and sheriff under King John before his promotion to Chief Justiciar of England and Ireland, a position he held during the reigns of King John and successor Henry III.
Allegorical author and sometime preacher, Bunyan produced among his more important works Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners (1666), The Pilgrim's Progress (1678), and The Life and Death of Mr Badman (1680).
A prolific English novelist and dramatist known for his popular and diverse novels and plays, Bulwer-Lytton wrote in a variety of genres from history and mystery, to romance, science fiction, horror, and the occult. Bulwer-Lytton was also a member of Parliament, serving two non-consecutive terms (first as a reformer, then returning after 11 years as a Conservative) before being appointed colonial secretary in 1858.
See John Bull.
A French naturalist and author, he dedicated the majority of his life to the forty-four volume Histoire Naturelle (1749-1804).
A cousin of Joseph Addison and a contributor to the Spectator, the Guardian, and probably the Tatler, Budgell also authored his own periodical, the Bee. He was one of the figures satirized in Alexander Pope's Dunciad (1728).
A satirical poet and eventually preceptor to James I of England (James VI of Scotland), Buchanan spent seven months of his life imprisoned in a Portuguese monastery for his advocacy of Lutheranism. An incident from Buchanan's Rerum Scoticarvm Historia, published posthumously in 1582, was the inspiration for Tobias Smollett's unsuccessful play The Regicide (1749). ,
A wealthy Scottish peeress, Anne Scott was 1st Duchess of Buccleuch and Duchess of Monmouth through her marriage to James Scott.
