Chapter Ford to Fox of F by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Ford to Fox

Ford, Paul Leicester (1865-1902).—Novelist and biographer, was born in Brooklyn. He wrote Lives of Washington, Franklin, and others, edited the works of Jefferson, and wrote a number of novels, which had considerable success, including Peter Sterling (1894), Story of an Untold Love, Janice Meredith, Wanted a Matchmaker, and Wanted a Chaperone. He died by violence.

Ford, Richard (1796-1858).—w riter on art and travel, educated at Winchester and Cambridge, and travelled for several years in Spain, becoming intimately acquainted with the country and people. He wrote a Handbook for Travellers in Spain (1845), which is much more than a mere guide-book, and Gatherings from Spain (1846). An accomplished artist and art critic, he was the first to make the great Spanish painter, Velasquez, generally known in England.

Fordun, John (died 1384?).—Chronicler, said to have been a chantry priest and Canon of Aberdeen. He began the Scotichronicon, for which he prepared himself, it is said, by travelling on foot through Britain and Ireland in search of materials. He also compiled Gesta Annalia, a continuation. He brought the history down to 1153, leaving, however, material to the time of his own death, which was subsequently worked up by Walter Bower (q.v.).

Forster, John (1812-1876).—Historian and biographer, born at Newcastle, educated at the Grammar School there, and at University Coll., London, became a barrister of the Inner Temple, but soon relinquished law for literature. In 1834 he accepted the post of assistant editor of the Examiner, and was editor 1847- 55. In this position Forster exercised a marked influence on public opinion. He also edited the Foreign Quarterly Review 1842-3, the Daily News in 1846, and was secretray to the Lunacy Commission and a Commissioner 1861-72. His historical writings were chiefly biographies, among which are Statesmen of the Commonwealth of England (1836-9), Life of Goldsmith (1854), Biographical and Historical Essays (1859), Sir John Eliot (1864), Lives of Walter S. Landor (1868), and Charles Dickens (1871-4). He also left the first vol. of a Life of Swift. Forster, who was a man of great decision and force of character, concealed an unusually tender heart under a somewhat overbearing manner.

Fortescue, Sir John (1394?-1476?).—Political writer, was descended from a Devonshire family. He was an eminent lawyer, and held the office of Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench (1442). During the Wars of the Roses he was a staunch Lancastrian. On the triumph of Edward IV. at Towton he was attainted, and followed the fortunes of the fallen Lancastrians, accompanying Queen Margaret to Scotland and Flanders. He fought at Tewkesbury, was captured, but pardoned on condition of writing in support of the Yorkish claims, which he did, considering that his own party appeared to be hopelessly ruined. He is said to have been at one time Lord Chancellor; but it is probable that this was only a titular appointment given him by the exiled family. His works are various defences of the Lancastrian title to the crown, and two treatises, De Laudibus Legum Angliæ (1537) (in praise of the laws of England), and On the Governance of the Kingdom of England, not printed till 1714, the former for the instruction of Edward, Prince of Wales.

Foster, John (1770-1843).—Essayist, was born at Halifax, and educated at Bristol for the Baptist ministry. Though a man of powerful and original mind he did not prove popular as a preacher, and devoted himself mainly to literature, his chief contribution to which is his four Essays (1) On a Man’s Writing Memoirs of Himself, (2) On Decision of Character, (3) On the Epithet “Romantic,” (4) On Evangelical Religion, etc., all of which attracted much attention among the more thoughtful part of the community, and still hold their place. These Essays were published in 1805, and in 1819. Foster added another on the Evils of Popular Ignorance, in which he advocated a national system of education.

Foster, Stephen Collins (1826-1864).—Song-writer, was born in Pittsburgh. He wrote over 100 songs, many of which had extraordinary popularity, among which may be mentioned The Old Folks at Home, Nelly Bly, Old Dog Tray, Camp Town Races, Massa’s in de cold, cold Ground, and Come where my Love lies Dreaming. He composed the music to his songs.