Poet and historian James Macpherson is best known for his “translations” of the Gaelic epic poems by the fictitious ancient bard Ossian. Though the authenticity of these poems came under attack almost immediately, they nevertheless exerted a powerful influence on the British Romantic literature that soon followed.
Irish actor and playwright whose controversial career spanned most of the eighteenth century. Macklin introduced the naturalistic style of acting to the English stage and became a prominent actor at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where he accidentally killed a man while fighting over a wig. Macklin was best known for his performance of Shylock in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, a role he assumed at Drury Lane in 1741. He also wrote The Man of the World (1781), a comedy.
Two of Mackenzie's novels, The Man of Feeling (1771) and Julia de Roubigné (1777) rank in the forefront of eighteenth-century literature of sensibility. Mackenzie also published The Man of the World (1773) and edited two periodicals, The Mirror and The Lounger.
Italian statesman and writer known for his strategies on securing rulership, relying when necessary on duplicity and force. His most famous text, Principe (1532), was not published until after his death, but it circulated widely in manuscript form among his friends. The dialog Arte della guerra (1520) and the posthumously published Discorsi sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio (1531) round off the body of his major political works.
The monarch of Scotland from 1040 until his death in 1057, Macbeth's reign was largely characterized by peace until the English invasion in 1054. Macbeth was killed three years later in battle by the forces of the future Malcolm III. Prior to becoming king, Macbeth held the title of Mormaer of Moray, and it is believed that he was responsible for the death of the previous mormaer, Gille Coemgáin.
Born Rosina Doyle Wheeler, Rosina Bulwer Lytton garners at least as much attention for her tumultuous biography as for her prolific writing. She married Edward Bulwer-Lytton, but the couple divorced following scandals around the husband's infidelities, which Rosina Lytton satirized in her first novel, Cheveley: or, The Man of Honour (1839). Her children were taken from her in consequence of the divorce, and, determined to disrupt her ex-husband's life and political aspirations, she continued to denounce him during a campaign for a seat in Parliament.
A prominent Whig politician and author, George Lyttelton was satirized by author Tobias Smollett in his novel The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle (1751). He was also a friend of notable writers of his day including Alexander Pope and Henry Fielding. His most famous satirical work, Dialogues of the Dead was published in 1760.
English poet and dramatist known for his contributions to prose dialogue in English comedy. Lyly's most famous work, Euphues, resulted in Euphuism, a style of English prose characterized by its ornate language, excessive use of literary devices, and displays of classical knowledge.
An English poet associated for most of his life with the Benedictine Abbey at Bury St Edmunds. He deeply admired Geoffrey Chaucer, and many of his works show that influence. He authored The Complaint of the Black Knight; The Temple of Glas; The Floure of Curtesy; Reson and Sensuallyte; The Life of Our Lady; Troy Book; The Siege of Thebes; The Serpent of Division; The Pilgrimage of the Life of Man; The Dance of Death; Fall of Princes; The Lives of Saints Edmund and Fremund (1433); The Lives of Saint Albon and Saint Amphabel; Secrees of the Old Philosoffres; and The Testament of Lydgate.
A Spartan political figure, said to have founded the institutions of ancient Sparta, possibly around the ninth- or eighth-century B.C., though scholars are unable to conclusively determine whether he is a historical or purely legendary figure. Included in the laws he is credited with is a provision that newlyweds meet by night in the manner of secret lovers so as to preserve the husband from exhaustion due to excessive lovemaking.
