Chapter Bonar to Boswell of B by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Bonar to Boswell

Bonar, Horatius (1808-1889).—Divine and poet, son of James Bonar, Solicitor of Exise for Scotland, born and educated in Edinburgh, entered the Ministry of the Church of Scotland, and was settled at Kelso. He joined the Free Church at the Disruption in 1843, and in 1866 was translated to Edinburgh In 1853 he was made D.D. of Aberdeen. He was a voluminous and highly popular author, and in addition to many books and tracts wrote a number of hymns, many of which, e.g., “I heard the voice of Jesus say,” are known all over the English-speaking world. A selection of these was published as Hymns of Faith and Hope (3 series). His last vol. of poetry was My Old Letters.

Boorde, or Borde, Andrew (1490?-1549).—Traveller, born near Cuckfield, Sussex, was brought up as a Carthusian, and held ecclesiastical appointments, then practised medicine at various places, including Glasgow, and was employed in various capacities by T. Cromwell. He travelled widely, going as far as Jerusalem, and wrote descriptions of the countries he had visited. His Dyetary is the first English book of domestic medicine. The Boke of the Introduction of Knowledge describes his journeys on the Continent. Other works are The Boke of Berdes (Beards), Handbook of Europe, and Itinerary of England.

Borrow, George (1803-1881).—Philologist and miscellaneous author, and traveller, born at East Dereham, Norfolk, son of a recruiting officer, had a somewhat wandering childhood. He received most of his education in Edinburgh, and showed a peculiar talent for acquiring languages. After being for a short time in the office of a solicitor in Norwich, he travelled widely on the Continent and in the East, acquainting himself with the people and languages of the various countries he visited. He specially attached himself to the Gipsies, with whose language he became so familiar as to published a dictionary of it. His learning was shown by his publishing at St. Petersburg Targum, a work containing translations from 30 languages. Borrow became a travelling agent of the Bible Society, and his book, The Bible in Spain (1843), giving an account of his remarkable adventures in that country, made his literary reputation. It was followed by Lavengro (1851), and its sequel, Romany Rye (1857), and Wild Wales (1862), which, though works of originality and extreme interest, and now perhaps his most popular books, were received with less public favour. The two first give a highly coloured picture of his own story. He translated the New Testament into Manchu. In his latter years he settled at Oulton Broad, Norfolk, where he died Borrow was a man of striking appearance and great vigour and originality of character and mind. His writings hold a unique place in English literature.

Boston, Thomas (1677-1732).—Scottish divine, was successively schoolmaster at Glencairn, and minister of Simprin in Berwickshire, and Ettrick in Selkirkshire. In addition to his best-known work, The Fourfold State, one of the religious classics of Scotland, he wrote an original little book, The Crook in the Lot, and a learned treatise on the Hebrew points. He also took a leading part in the Courts of the Church in what was known as the “Marrow Controversy,” regarding the merits of an English work, The Marrow of Modern Divinity, which he defended against the attacks of the “Moderate” party in the Church. Boston, if unduly introspective, was a man of singular piety and amiability. His autobiography is an interesting record of Scottish life, full of sincerity and tenderness, and not devoid of humorous touches, intentional and otherwise.

Boswell, Sir Alexander (1775-1822).—Antiquary and song writer, son of James Boswell, of Auchinleck, Johnson’s biographer, was interested in old Scottish authors, some of whose works he reprinted at his private press. He wrote some popular Scotch songs, of which Jenny’s Bawbee and Jenny dang the Weaver are the best known. Boswell died in a duel with Mr. Stuart of Dunearn.

Boswell, James (1740-1795).—Biographer, son of Alexander Boswell of Auchinleck, Ayrshire, one of the judges of the Supreme Courts of Scotland, was educated at the High School and University of Edinburgh, and practised as an advocate. He travelled much on the Continent and visited Corsica, where he became acquainted with the patriot General Paoli. Fortunately for posterity he was in 1763 introduced to Dr. Johnson, and formed an acquaintance with him which soon ripened into friendship, and had as its ultimate fruit the immortal Life. He was also the author of several works of more or less interest, including an Account of Corsica (1768), and Journal of Tour to the Hebrides (in the company of Johnson) (1786). Vain and foolish in an exceptional degree, and by no means free from more serious faults, Boswell has