Chapter Tupper to Tytler of T by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Tupper to Tytler

Tupper, Martin Farquhar (1810-1889).—Versifier, son of a surgeon, was born in London, ed. at Charterhouse School and Oxford, and called to the Bar in 1835. He, however, believed that literature was his vocation, and wrote many works in prose and verse, only one of which, Proverbial Philosophy, had much success. But the vogue which it had was enormous, especially in America. It is a singular collection of commonplace observations set forth in a form which bears the appearance of verse, but has neither rhyme nor metre, and has long since found its deserved level. He also wrote War Ballads, Rifle Ballads, and Protestant Ballads, various novels, and an autobiography.

Turberville, or Turbervile, George (1540?-1610).—Poet, belonging to an ancient Dorsetshire family, was born at Whitchurch, and ed. at Winchester and Oxford He became secretrayto Thomas Randolph, Ambassador to Russia, and made translations from the Latin and Italian, and in 1570 published Epitaphes, Epigrams, Songs, and Sonets. He also wrote books on Falconrie and Hunting, and was one of the first to use blank verse.

Turner, Sharon (1768-1847).—Historian, born in London, was a solicitor, and becoming interested in the study of Icelandic and Anglo-Saxon literature, published the results of his researches in his History of the Anglo-Saxons (1799-1805). Thereafter he continued the narrative in History of England (1814- 29), carrying it on to the end of the reign of Elizabeth. These histories, especially the former, though somewhat marred by an attempt to emulate the grandiose style of Gibbon, were works of real research, and opened up, and to a considerable extent developed, a new field of inquiry. Turner also wrote a Sacred History of the World, and a poem on Richard III.

Tusser, Thomas (1524?-1580).—Versifier on agriculture, was an Essex man. Having a good voice he was trained in music, and was a chorister in St. Paul’s and afterwards in Norwich Cathedral, and held the post of musician of Lord Paget. He tried farming at different places, but unsuccessfully, which did not, however, prevent his undertaking to instruct others. This he does with much shrewdness and point in his Hundreth Goode Pointes of Husbandrie (1557), expressed in rude but lively verse; thereafter he added Hundreth Goode Pointes of Husserie (Housewifery). The two joined, and with many additions, were repeatedly reprinted as Five Hundredth Pointes of Goode Husbandrie united to as many of Goode Huswifery. Many proverbs may be traced back to the writings of Tusser, who, in spite of all his shrewdness and talent, died in prison as a debtor.

Twain, Mark (see Clemens).

Tyndale, William (1484?-1536).—Translator of the Bible, belonged to a northern family which, migrating to Gloucestershire during the Wars of the Roses, adopted the alternative name of Huchyns or Hychins, which Tyndale himself bore when at Oxford in 1510. After graduating there, he went to Cambridge, where the influence of Erasmus, who had been Professor of Theology, still operated. He took orders, and in 1522 was a tutor in the household of Sir John Walsh of Old Sodbury, and was preaching and disputing in the country round, for which he was called to account by the Chancellor of the diocese. At the same time he translated a treatise by Erasmus, the Enchiridion Militis Christiani (Manual of the Christian Soldier), and in controversy with a local disputant prophesied that he would cause that “a boye that driveth the plough” should know the Scriptures better than his opponent. Having formed the purpose of translating the New Testament Tyndale went in 1523 to London, and used means towards his admission to the household of Tunstal, Bishop of London, but without success; he then lived in the house of a wealthy draper, Humphrey Monmouth, where he probably began his translation. Finding, however, that his work was likely to be interfered with, he proceeded in 1524 to Hamburg, whence he went to visit Luther at Wittenberg. He began printing his translation at Cologne the following year, but had to fly to Worms, where the work was completed. The translation itself is entirely Tyndale’s work, and is that of a thorough scholar, and shows likewise an ear for the harmony of words. The notes and introduction are partly his own, partly literal translations, and partly the gist of the work of Luther. From Germany the translation was introduced into England, and largely circulated until forcible means of prevention were brought to bear in 1528. In this year Tyndale removed to Marburg, where he published The Parable of the Wicked Mammon, a treatise on Justification by Faith, and The Obedience of a Christian Man, setting forth that