Chapter Lightfoot to Lithgow of L by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Lightfoot to Lithgow

Lightfoot, Joseph Barber (1828-1889).—Theologian and scholar, born at Liverpool, and educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, and Cambridge, entered the Church, and was successively Hulsean Professor of Divinity 1861, Chaplain to Queen Victoria 1862, member of the New Testament Company of Revisers 1870-80, Margaret Professor of Divinity, Cambridge, 1875, and Bishop of Durham 1879. He was probably the greatest scholar of his day in England, especially as a grammarian and textual critic. Among his works are Commentaries on several of the minor Pauline epistles, a fragmentary work on the Apostolic Fathers, Leaders in the Northern Church (1890), and The Apostolic Age (1892).

Lillo, George (1693-1739).—Dramatist, of Dutch descent, was born in London, succeeded his father in business as a jeweller, in which he had good speed, and devoted his leisure to the composition of plays in the line of what was known as the “domestic drama.” He wrote in all seven of these, among which are The London Merchant, or the History of George Barnewell, acted 1731, The Christian Hero (1735), and Fatal Curiosity (1736). He was a friend of Fielding, who said of him that “he had the spirit of an old Roman joined to the innocence of a primitive Christian.”

Lindsay, Or Lyndsay, Sir David (1490-1555).—Scottish poet and satirist, son of David Lindsay of Garmylton, near Haddington, was born either there or at The Mount in Fife, and educated at St. Andrews. Early in life he was at the Court of James IV., and on the King’s death was appointed to attend on the infant James V., whose friend and counsellor he remained, though his advice was, unhappily for his country, not always given heed to. In 1529 he was knighted and made Lyon King at Arms. He was employed on various missions to the Emperor Charles V., and to Denmark, France, and England. He was always in sympathy with the people as against the nobles and the clergy, and was their poet, with his words in their mouths. He favoured the Reformers, and was one of those who urged Knox to become a preacher. He did not, however, adhere to the reformed congregation, and died at least nominally in the Roman Church. Yet he lashed the vices of the clergy as they had never been lashed before, and only escaped their vengeance by the protection of the King, who also condoned the severities directed against himself. His latter days were spent at The Mount, where he died His chief writings are The Dreme, written 1528, The Complaynt to the King (1529), The Testament and Complaynt of our Soverane Lord’s Papyngo (Parrot) (1530), Ane Pleasant Satyre of the Three Estaitis, A Dialogue betwixt Experience and a Courtier (1552), The Monarchy (1554), and The History of Squyer Meldrum. Lindsay was a true poet, gifted with fancy, humour, and a powerful satiric touch and a love of truth and justice. He had a strong influence in turning the minds of the common people in favour of the Reformation.

Works edited by Chalmers (3 vols., 1806), and D. Laing (3 vols., 1879).

Lindsay, Or Lindesay, Robert (1500?-1565).—Historian, Laird or tenant of Pitscottie, Fife, wrote a history entitled The Chronicles of Scotland, intended as a continuation of that of Boece. It deals with the period 1436-1515, and though often inaccurate in detail, is often vivid and quaint.

Lingard, John (1771-1851).—Historian, born at Winchester of humble Roman Catholic parentage, was in 1782 sent to the English College at Douay, whence he escaped from the revolutionaries in 1793, and returning to England, went to Crookhall Coll., near Durham, and afterwards to Ushaw. Ordained a priest in 1795, he became Vice-President and Professor of Philosophy at the latter college In 1806 he published The Antiquities of the Anglo-Saxon Church, and while a missioner at Hornby, Lancashire, began his History of England to the Accession of William and Mary (8 vols., 1819-30). In the preparation of this work Lingard had access to material hitherto unpublished, and not available for Protestant historians, such as documents in the Vatican and other Roman Catholic sources, and was consequently able to throw new light on various parts of his subject. The work was attacked by various writers from the Protestant standpoint. Lingard replied to his critics with the result that it is now generally admitted that the history, while in parts coloured by the theological and political point of view of the author, is generally an impartial and valuable work, and it remains a leading authority on the Reformation period viewed from the side of the enlightened Roman Catholic priesthood. This opinion is supported by the fact that the Ultramontane party among the Roman Catholics regarded the book as a dangerous one in respect of the interests of their Church.