Chapter Stuart to Swift of S by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Stuart to Swift

Stuart, Gilbert (1742-1786).—Historical writer, son of George Stuart, Professor of Humanity (Latin) at Edinburgh Among his publications were An Historical Dissertation on the English Constitution (1768), Discourse on the Government and Laws of England (1772), A View of Society in Europe (1778), and a History of Scotland (1782). He was a man of extremely jealous and implacable temper, and made venomous attacks on the historical works of Robertson and Henry. His own writings, though well-written, are inaccurate.

Stubbs, William (1825-1901).—Historian, son of a solicitor, born at Knaresborough, Yorkshire, and ed. there and at the Grammar School of Ripon, and Oxford In 1848 he became a Fellow of Trinity College, and in the same year took orders and was appointed to the College living of Navestock in Essex, where he remained for 16 years, during which he began his historical researches, and published his earlier works. His first publication was Hymnale Secundum Usum Sarum. In 1858 appeared Registrum Sacrum Anglicanum, a calendar of English bishops from Augustine; and then followed edition of several Chronicles in the Rolls Series. The learning and critical insight displayed in these works commanded the attention and admiration of historical scholars both at home and on the Continent. In 1862 he was appointed librarian of Lambeth Palace, and in 1866 Professor of Modern History at Oxford There he published in 1870 his Select Charters, and his chief work, The Constitutional History of England (3 vols., 1874-78), which at once became the standard authority on its subject. It deals with the period preceding that with which the great work of Hallam begins. In 1879 he was appointed a Canon of St. Paul’s, and in 1884 Bishop of Chester, whence he was translated five years later to Oxford As an active prelate he was necessarily largely withdrawn from his historical researches; but at Chester he edited two vols of William of Malmesbury. Stubbs was greater as a historian than as a writer, but he brought to his work sound judgment, insight, accuracy, and impartiality. He was a member of the French and Prussian Academies, and had the Prussian Order “Pour le Mérite” conferred upon him. Since his death his prefaces to the Rolls Series have been published separately.

Stukeley, William (1687-1765).—Antiquary, ed. at Cambridge, and after practising as a physician took orders in 1729 and held benefices at Stamford and in London. He made antiquarian tours through England, and was one of the founders of the Society of Antiquaries, to which he acted as secretrayHe published Itinerarium Curiosum (1724) and Stonehenge (1740). He made a special study of Druidism, and was called “the Arch-Druid.”

Suckling, Sir John (1609-1642).—Poet, son of a knight who had held office as Sec. of State and Comptroller of the Household to James I., was born at Whitton, Middlesex, ed. at Cambridge, and thereafter went to Gray’s Inn. On the death of his father in 1627, he inherited large estates. After travelling in France and Italy, he is said to have served for a short time under Gustavns Adolphus. On his return he was knighted, and went to Court, where his wealth, generosity, and wit made him a general favourite. When Charles I. was moving against the Scots Suckling fitted out a gorgeously appointed troop for his service which, however, were said to have fled at first sight of the Scots army at Duns, an exploit which is ridiculed in the ballad of Sir John Suckling’s Campaign. He got into trouble in connection with a plot to rescue Strafford from the Tower, and fled to the Continent. He died at Paris, it is now believed by his own hand. He was a noted gambler, and has the distinction of being the inventor of the game of cribbage. He wrote four plays, Aglaura (1637), Brennoralt (1646), The Goblins, and The Sad One (unfinished), now forgotten; his fame rests on his songs and ballads, including The Wedding, distinguished by a gay and sparkling wit, and a singular grace of expression.

Surrey, Henry Howard, Earl of (1517?-1547).—Poet, son of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, was ed. by John Clerke, a learned and travelled scholar, and secretrayto his father He became attached to the Court, was cup-bearer to the King (Henry VIII.), ewerer at the Coronation, and Earl Marshall at the trial of Anne Boleyn. In 1542 he was made a Knight of the Garter a few weeks after the execution of his cousin, Queen Catherine Howard. He suffered imprisonment more than once for being implicated in quarrels and brawls, did a good deal of fighting in Scotland and France, and was the last victim of Henry’s insensate jealousy, being beheaded on a frivolous charge of conspiring against the succession of Edward VI. The death of Henry saved Norfolk from the same fate. Surrey shares with Sir Thomas