Chapter Marmion to Martin of M by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Marmion to Martin

Marmion, Shackerley (1603-1639).—Dramatist, son of a country gentleman of Northamptonshire, was educated at Oxford. After a youth of extravagance, he fought in the Low Countries. His writings consist of an epic, Cupid and Psyche, and three comedies, Holland’s Leaguer, A Fair Companion, and The Antiquary. His plays show some power of satire, and were popular, but he had little of the dramatist.

Marryat, Frederick (1792-1848).—Novelist, son of a West India merchant, was born in London. In 1806 he entered the navy as a midshipman under Lord Cochrane (afterwards Earl of Dundonald), and saw much service in the Mediterranean, at Walcheren, and in the Burmese War of 1824. He returned in 1830 as a Captain and C.B. The scenes and experiences through which he had passed were the preparation for and the foundation of his numerous novels, of which the first, Frank Mildmay, was published in 1829. It was followed by over 30 others, of which perhaps the best are Peter Simple, Jacob Faithful (1834), Mr. Midshipman Easy (1836), The Dog Fiend (1837), and The Phantom Ship (1839). Marryat is the prince of sea story-tellers; his knowledge of the sea, vigorous definition of character, and hearty and honest, if somewhat broad, humour never failing to please.

Marsh, Herbert (1757-1839).—Theologian and controversialist, son of a clergyman, educated at Canterbury, Cambridge, and Leipsic, was the first to introduce the German methods of Biblical criticism into England, and gave lectures on the subject at Cambridge, which excited great interest and controversy. In 1816 he was made Bishop of Llandaff, and was translated to Peterborough in 1819. His critical views and his opposition to the evangelical party in the Church, to the Bible Society, to hymns in Divine service, and to Catholic emancipation, involved him in controversy with high, low, and broad churchmen alike. He was the author of a History of the Politics of Great Bitain and France (1799), Comparative View of the Churches of England and Rome, and Horæ Pelasgicæ.

Marston, John (1575?-1634).—Dramatist and satirist, born at Coventry, was educated at Oxford In later life he gave up writing for the stage, took orders, and was incumbent of Christchurch, Hants, 1616- 31. He began his literary career in 1598 with satire, The Scourge of Villanie and The Metamorphosis of Pygmalion’s Image (1598), the latter of which was burned by order of Archbishop Whitgift. In 1602 appeared The History of Antonio and Mellida, and its sequel, Antonio’s Revenge, ridiculed by Ben Jonson. In repayment of this Marston co-operated with Dekker in attacking Jonson in Satiromastix (a Whip for the Satirist). A reconciliation, however, took place, and his comedy, The Malcontent (1604), was dedicated to John, another, Eastward Ho (1605), was written in collaboration with him and Chapman. Other plays of his are Sophonisba, What You Will (1607), and possibly The Insatiate Countess (1613). Amid much bombast and verbiage there are many fine passages in Marston’s dramas, especially where scorn and indignation are the motives. Sombre and caustic, he has been called “a screech-owl among the singing birds.”

Marston, Philip Bourke (1850-1887).—Poet, was born in London, and lost his sight at the age of 3. His poems, Song-tide, All in All, and Wind Voices bear, in their sadness, the impress of this affliction, and of a long series of bereavements. He was the friend of Rossetti and of Swinburne, the latter of whom has written a sonnet to his memory.

Martin, Sir Theodore (1816-1909).—Poet, biographer, and translator, son of James Martin, solicitor in Edinburgh, where he was born and educated at the High School and University He practised as a solicitor in Edinburgh 1840-45, after which he went to London and became head of the firm of Martin and Leslie, parliamentary agents. His first contribution to literature was The Bon Gaultier Ballads, written along with W. E. Aytoun (q.v.), full of wit and humour, which still retain their popularity; originally contributed to a magazine, they appeared in book form in 1855. His translations include Dante’s Vita Nuova. æhlenschläger’s Correggio and Aladdin, Heine’s Poems and Ballads, Schiller’s Song of the Bell, and Hertz’s King René’s Daughter. He also published a complete translation of Horace with a Life, and one of Catullus. He is, however, perhaps best known for his Life of the Prince Consort (1874-80), the writing of which was committed to him by Queen Victoria, a work which he executed with such ability and tact as to win for him her lifelong friendship. He also wrote Lives of Professor Aytoun and Lord Lyndhurst. He married in 1851 Miss Helen Faucit (died 1898), the well-known actress, and authoress of studies on