Chapter Collins to Cooper of C by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Collins to Cooper

Collins, William Wilkie (1824-1889).—Novelist, son of William Collins, R.A., entered Lincoln’s Inn, and was called to the Bar 1851, but soon relinquished law for literature. His first novel was Antonina (1850), a historical romance. He found his true field, however, in the novel of modern life, in which his power lies chiefly in the construction of a skilful plot, which holds the attention of the reader and baffles his curiosity to the last. In Count Fosco, however, he has contributed an original character to English fiction. Among his numerous novels two, The Woman in White (1860), and The Moonstone (1868), stand out pre-eminent. Others are The Dead Secret (1857), Armadale (1866), No Name (1862), After Dark, “I say No,” etc. He collaborated with Dickens in No Thoroughfare.

Colman, George, The Elder (1732-1794).—Dramatist, born at Florence, where his father was British Envoy, he was a friend of Garrick, and took to writing for the stage with success. He wrote more than 30 dramatic pieces, of which the best known are The Jealous Wife (1761), and The Clandestine Marriage (1766). Colman was also manager and part proprietor of various theatres. He was a scholar and translated Terence and the De Arte Poetica of Horace, wrote essays, and edited Beaumont and Fletcher and B. Jonson.

Colman, George, The Younger (1762-1836).—Dramatist, son of the preceding, wrote or adapted numerous plays, including The Heir at Law and John Bull. He was Examiner of Plays (1824-1836). Many of his plays are highly amusing, and keep their place on the stage. His wit made him popular in society, and he was a favourite with George IV.

Colton, Charles Caleb (1780-1832).—Miscellaneous writer, educated at Eton and Cambridge, took orders and held various livings. He was an eccentric man of talent, with little or no principle, took to gaming, and had to leave the country. He died by his own hand. His books, mainly collections of epigrammatic aphorisms and short essays on conduct, etc., though now almost forgotten, had a phenomenal popularity in their day. Among them are Lacon, or Many Things in Few Words, and a few poems.

Combe, George (1788-1858).—w riter on phrenology and education, born in Edinburgh, where for some time he practised as a lawyer. Latterly, however, he devoted himself to the promotion of phrenology, and of his views on education, for which he in 1848 founded a school. His chief work was The Constitution of Man (1828).

Combe, William (1741-1823).—Miscellaneous writer. His early life was that of an adventurer, his later was passed chiefly within the “rules” of the King’s Bench prison. He is chiefly remembered as the author of The Three Tours of Dr. Syntax, a comic poem (?). His cleverest piece of work was a series of imaginary letters, supposed to have been written by the second, or “wicked” Lord Lyttelton. Of a similar kind were his letters between Swift and Stella. He also wrote the letterpress for various illustrated books, and was a general hack.

Congreve, William (1670-1729).—Dramatist, was born in Yorkshire. In boyhood he was taken to Ireland, and educated at Kilkenny and at Trinity Coll., Dublin. In 1688 he returned to England and entered the Middle Temple, but does not appear to have practised, and took to writing for the stage. His first comedy, The Old Bachelor, was produced with great applause in 1693, and was followed by The Double Dealer (1693), Love for Love (1695), and The Way of the World (1700), and by a tragedy, The Mourning Bride (1697). His comedies are all remarkable for wit and sparkling dialogue, but their profanity and licentiousness have driven them from the stage. These latter qualities brought them under the lash of Jeremy Collier (q.v.) in his Short View of the English Stage. Congreve rushed into controversy with his critic who, however, proved too strong for him. Congreve was a favourite at Court, and had various lucrative offices conferred upon him. In his latter years he was blind; otherwise his life was prosperous, and he achieved his chief ambition of being admired as a fine gentleman and gallant.

Life, Gosse (1888). Works, edited by Henley (1895), also Mermaid Series (1888).

Conington, John (1825-1869).—Translator, son of a clergyman at Boston, Lincolnshire, where he was born, educated at Rugby, and Magdalen and University Coll., Oxford, and began the study of law, but