Chapter Waterland to Webbe of W by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Waterland to Webbe

Waterland, Daniel (1683-1740).—Theologian, born at Waseley Rectory, Lincolnshire, and ed. at Cambridge, took orders, and obtained various preferments, becoming Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge 1713, Chancellor of York 1722, and Archdeacon of Middlesex 1730. He was an acute and able controversialist on behalf of the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, on which he wrote several treatises. He was also the author of a History of the Athanasian Creed (1723).

Waterton, Charles (1782-1865).—Naturalist, belonged to an old Roman Catholic family in Yorkshire, and was ed. at Stony-hurst College Sent out in 1804 to look after some family estates in Demerara, he wandered through the wildest parts of Guiana and Brazil, in search of plants and animals for his collections. His adventures were related in his highly-spiced and entertaining Wanderings in South America, etc. (1825), in which he details certain surprising episodes in connection with the capture of serpents, and specially of a cayman, on the back of which he rode. He also wrote an interesting account of his family.

Watson, John (1850-1907). “Ian Maclaren”.—Novelist and theological writer, born at Manningtree, where his father was an Inland Revenue official, ed. at Stirling and Edinburgh, and the New College there. He came, after serving in a country charge, to Sefton Park Presbyterian Church, Liverpool, where he was a popular preacher, and took a prominent part in the social and religious life of the city. He wrote, under the name of “Ian Maclaren,” several novels belonging to the “Kailyard” school, including Beside the Bonnie Briar Bush and The Days of Auld Lang Syne, which had great popularity both at home and in America. He also wrote religious works, of which The Mind of the Master is the best known.

Watson, Robert (1730-1781).—Historian, son of an apothecary in St. Andrews, where and at Edinburgh and Glasgow, he was ed. He became Professor of Logic, and afterwards Principal of St. Salvador’s College, at St. Andrews, and wrote a History of Philip II. of Spain, and part of a continuation on Philip III., which were long standard works.

Watson, Thomas (1557?-1592).—Poet, born in London, was at Oxford, and studied law. He was a scholar, and made translations, one of which was a Latin version of the Antigone of Sophocles. In 1582 he published Hecatompathia, or The Passionate Centurie of Love, consisting of 100 eighteen-line poems, which he called sonnets. It was followed by Amyntas (1585) and Teares of Fansie (1593).

Watts, Alaric Alexander (1797-1864).—Poet, born in London, had an active career as a journalist. He founded the United Service Gazette, and edited various newspapers and an annual, the Literary Souvenir. His poems were College as Lyrics of the Heart. His numerous journalistic ventures finally resulted in bankruptcy.

Watts, Isaac (1674-1748).—Poet and theologian, born at Southampton, where his father kept a school, and ed. at a Nonconformist academy at Stoke Newington, became minister of an Independent congregation in Mark Lane; but his health proving insufficient for his pastoral duties, he resigned, and gave himself chiefly to literary work, continuing to preach occasionally. For the last 36 years of his life he resided at Theobald’s, the house of his friend, Sir Thomas Abney. Among his writings were various educational treatises, including those on Logic and The Improvement of the Mind, and some works on theological subjects. But his fame rests on his sacred poems and his hymns, which number over 500, and with much that is prosaic comprised “There is a Land of Pure Delight,” “O God our Help in Ages Past,” and “When I survey the Wondrous Cross,” which has been called “the most majestic hymn in English speech.” His Horœ Lyricœ was published in 1706, Hymns (1707), Divine Songs (for children) (1715), Metrical Psalms (1719). Some of his poems, such as his exquisite cradle song, “Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber” have a perfect beauty and tenderness.

Waugh, Edwin (1817-1890).—Poet, son of a shoemaker, was born at Rochdale and, after a little schooling, apprenticed to a printer. He read eagerly, and became assistant secretrayto the Lancashire Public School Association. He first attracted attention by his sketches of Lancashire life and character in the Manchester Examiner. He wrote also in prose Factory Folk, Besom Ben Stories, and The Chimney Corner. His