French historian whose many works were of popular interest and valuable because of their use of documents, though largely compilations and not wholly trustworthy.
Beauchamp became an officer in a Sardinian regiment (1784), but after the outbreak of war between Sardinia and the French republic in 1792 he refused to fight for what he considered an unjust cause and was imprisioned for about a year.
Upon his release in 1793 he went to Paris and was employed in the office of the committee of general security. After taking part in the conspiracy that led to the fall an execution of Maximilien de Robespierre, the revolutionary leader, Beauchamp was transferred in 1794 to the bureau of the minister of police in the capacity of superintendent of the press.
His position gave him access to materials that he uesed in his first and most popular book, Historie de la Vendée et des Chouans (3 vol., 1806), an account of a counter-revolution in the west of France in the 1790s.
Accused of revealing state secrets, he was relieved of his post; when the third edition appeared in 1809, he was banished from Paris and went to live in Reims. In n1811 he obtained permission to return and again received a government appointment.
Beauchamp wrote extensively for newspapers and magazines; his numerous biographies and historical treatises include biographies of Gen. Jean-Victor Moreau, Marshal Joachim Murat, the war between Spain and Portugal, and the edited and revised memoires of Joseph Fouché, the notorious police minister.
September 07, 2012
KONSTANTIN BATYUSHKOV (1847)
Elegiac poet whose sensual and melodious verses were said to have influenced the great Russian poet Aleksandr Pushkin.
Batyushkov´s early childhood was spent in the country on his father´s estate; when he was 10 he went to MOscow, where he studied the classics and learned French and Italian, languages that were to have an important influence on his style of writing.
In 1802 he went to St. Petersburg, living for a time with an uncle, Mikhail Muravyov, a writer and poet.
He served in the army during the campaigns of 1813-14 against Napoleon.
Afterward je became a prominent member of the Arzamas (a literary group formed by the followers of Nikolay Karamzin, who advocated the modernization of the Russian literary language).
Batyushkov´s literary output was not large -a few elegies and lyrics and some free translations of amorous epigrams from the Greek- but his verses are unique in their Italianate quality, producing a musical softness and sweetness.
His poetry, written between 1809 and 1812, brought him fame. His collected works appeared in 1817, and shortly afterward he ceased writing. Suffering from mental illness, he was sent abroad in hope of a cure. This was not achieved, and he remained insane until the end of his life.
Batyushkov´s early childhood was spent in the country on his father´s estate; when he was 10 he went to MOscow, where he studied the classics and learned French and Italian, languages that were to have an important influence on his style of writing.
In 1802 he went to St. Petersburg, living for a time with an uncle, Mikhail Muravyov, a writer and poet.
He served in the army during the campaigns of 1813-14 against Napoleon.
Afterward je became a prominent member of the Arzamas (a literary group formed by the followers of Nikolay Karamzin, who advocated the modernization of the Russian literary language).
Batyushkov´s literary output was not large -a few elegies and lyrics and some free translations of amorous epigrams from the Greek- but his verses are unique in their Italianate quality, producing a musical softness and sweetness.
His poetry, written between 1809 and 1812, brought him fame. His collected works appeared in 1817, and shortly afterward he ceased writing. Suffering from mental illness, he was sent abroad in hope of a cure. This was not achieved, and he remained insane until the end of his life.
BATU KHAN (1247)
A grandson of Genghis Khan and founder of the Khanate of Kipchak or the Golden Horde.
Batu conquered most of Russia and invaded central Europe.
In 1235 he was elected commander in chief of the western part of the Mongol Empire and was given responsability for the invasion of Europe.
By 1240 he had conquered all of Russia. In the campaign in central Europe one Mongol army defeated Henry II, duke of Silesia (now in Poland), on April 9, 1241; another army led by Batu himself defeated the Hungarians two days later.
With Poland, Bohemia, Hungary, and the Danuve Valley under his control, Batu was poised for the invasion of western Europe when he received news of the death of the head of the Mongol Empire, the great Khan Ogadai (december 1241). In order to participate in the choice of a successor, Batu withdrew his army, saving Europe from probable devastation.
He established the state of the Golden Horde in southern Russia, which was ruled by his successors for the next 200 years. In 1240 Batu had sacked and burned Kiev, then the major city in Russia. Under the Golden Horde the centre of Russian national life gradually moved from Kiev to Moscow.
Batu conquered most of Russia and invaded central Europe.
In 1235 he was elected commander in chief of the western part of the Mongol Empire and was given responsability for the invasion of Europe.
By 1240 he had conquered all of Russia. In the campaign in central Europe one Mongol army defeated Henry II, duke of Silesia (now in Poland), on April 9, 1241; another army led by Batu himself defeated the Hungarians two days later.
With Poland, Bohemia, Hungary, and the Danuve Valley under his control, Batu was poised for the invasion of western Europe when he received news of the death of the head of the Mongol Empire, the great Khan Ogadai (december 1241). In order to participate in the choice of a successor, Batu withdrew his army, saving Europe from probable devastation.
He established the state of the Golden Horde in southern Russia, which was ruled by his successors for the next 200 years. In 1240 Batu had sacked and burned Kiev, then the major city in Russia. Under the Golden Horde the centre of Russian national life gradually moved from Kiev to Moscow.
September 06, 2012
THOMAS BAYES (1747)
Mathematician who first used probability inductively and established a mathematical basis for probability inference (a means of calculating, from the number of times an event has not occured, ,the probability that it will occur in future trials).
He set down his findings on probability in Essay Towards Solving a Problem in the Doctrine of Chances (1763), published posthumously in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London.
The only works he is known to have published in his lifetime are Divine Benevolence, or an Attempt to Prove That the Principal End of the Divine Providence and Government Is the Happiness of His Creatures (1731) and An Introduction to the Doctrine of Fluxions, and a Defense of the Mathematicians Against the Objections of the Author of the Analyst (1736), which countered the attacks by Bishop Berkeley on the logical foundations of Newton´s calculus.
He set down his findings on probability in Essay Towards Solving a Problem in the Doctrine of Chances (1763), published posthumously in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London.
The only works he is known to have published in his lifetime are Divine Benevolence, or an Attempt to Prove That the Principal End of the Divine Providence and Government Is the Happiness of His Creatures (1731) and An Introduction to the Doctrine of Fluxions, and a Defense of the Mathematicians Against the Objections of the Author of the Analyst (1736), which countered the attacks by Bishop Berkeley on the logical foundations of Newton´s calculus.
THE BATTLES OF BRUNANBURH AND MALDON
THE BATTLE OF BRUNANBURH, Old English poem of 74 lines included in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle under the year 937.
It relates the victory asfter a day-long battle of the Saxon king Athelstan over the allied Norse, Scots, and Strathclyde Briton invaders under the leadership of Olaf Guthfrithson, ling of Dublin and claimant to the throne of York.
The poem is basically the victors bitter taunt of the defeated. It counts the dead kings and earls on the battlefield and pictures the Norsemen slinking back to Dublin in their ships while their dead sons are being devored by ravens and wolces.
The poem claims that this was the greatest battle over fought in England.
THE BATTLE OF MALDON, Old English heroic poem describing a historical skirmish between East Saxons and Viking (mainly Norwegian) raiders in 991.
It is incomplete, its beginning and ending both lost. The poem is remarkable for its vivid, dramatic combat scenes and for its expression of the Germanic ethos of loyalty to a leader.
The poem, as it survives, opens with the war parties aligned on either side of a stream (the present River Blackwater near Maldon, Essex). The Vikings offer the cynical suggestion that the English may buy their peace with golden rings.
The English commander Earl Byrhtnoth replies that they will pay their tribute in spears and darts. When the Danes cannot advance because of their poor position, Byrhtnoth recklessly allows them safe conduct across the stream, and the battle follows. In spite of Byrhtnoth´s supreme feats of courage, he is finally slain. In panic some of the English desert. The names of the desertes are carefully recorded along with the names and genealogies of the loyal retainers who stand fast to avenge Burhtnoth´s death.
The 325-line fragment ends with the frequently quoted rallying speech of the old warrior Byrhtwold:
"Mind must be firmer, heart the more fierce
Courage the greater, as our strength
diminishes..."
It relates the victory asfter a day-long battle of the Saxon king Athelstan over the allied Norse, Scots, and Strathclyde Briton invaders under the leadership of Olaf Guthfrithson, ling of Dublin and claimant to the throne of York.
The poem is basically the victors bitter taunt of the defeated. It counts the dead kings and earls on the battlefield and pictures the Norsemen slinking back to Dublin in their ships while their dead sons are being devored by ravens and wolces.
The poem claims that this was the greatest battle over fought in England.
THE BATTLE OF MALDON, Old English heroic poem describing a historical skirmish between East Saxons and Viking (mainly Norwegian) raiders in 991.
It is incomplete, its beginning and ending both lost. The poem is remarkable for its vivid, dramatic combat scenes and for its expression of the Germanic ethos of loyalty to a leader.
The poem, as it survives, opens with the war parties aligned on either side of a stream (the present River Blackwater near Maldon, Essex). The Vikings offer the cynical suggestion that the English may buy their peace with golden rings.
The English commander Earl Byrhtnoth replies that they will pay their tribute in spears and darts. When the Danes cannot advance because of their poor position, Byrhtnoth recklessly allows them safe conduct across the stream, and the battle follows. In spite of Byrhtnoth´s supreme feats of courage, he is finally slain. In panic some of the English desert. The names of the desertes are carefully recorded along with the names and genealogies of the loyal retainers who stand fast to avenge Burhtnoth´s death.
The 325-line fragment ends with the frequently quoted rallying speech of the old warrior Byrhtwold:
"Mind must be firmer, heart the more fierce
Courage the greater, as our strength
diminishes..."
UGO BASSI (1847)
Italian priest and patriot who was a follower of Garibaldi in his fight for Italian independence.
Educated at Bologna he became a novice in the Barnabite order at age 18, and after studying in Rome, he entered the ministry in 1833. He gained fame as a preacher with eloquent and genuinely enthusiastic sermons that attracted large crowds. Living chiefly at Bologna, he traveled all over Italy aiding and tending the poor.
At the outbreak of the revolutionary movements in n1848, when Pope Pius IX still appeared to be a liberal and a nationalist, Bassi joined as an army chaplain, Gen. Giovanni Durando´s papal force protecting the frontiers.
His eloquence helped draw new recruits into the republican movement, and he exercised great influence over the soldiers and the people generally. When Pius discarded all connection with the nationalist movement, only Bassi was able to restrain the Bolognese in their indignation. He was wounded at Treviso in May 1848, but on his recovery marched unarmed at the head of the volunteers at Mestre.
After the pope´s flight from Rome in November and the proclamation of the Roman republic in early 1849, Bassi joined the Garibaldi forces fighting against French troops that were sent in to restore the temporal power. When Garibaldi was forced to leave Rome, Bassi followed him to San Marino; and when the legion broke up, Garibaldi escaped but Bassi and a fellow patriot, Count Livraghi, were captured near Comacchio. Turned over to the Austrian authorities and taken to Bologna, they were charged with having been found with guns in their hands (Bassi had never borne arms at all) and executed.
Educated at Bologna he became a novice in the Barnabite order at age 18, and after studying in Rome, he entered the ministry in 1833. He gained fame as a preacher with eloquent and genuinely enthusiastic sermons that attracted large crowds. Living chiefly at Bologna, he traveled all over Italy aiding and tending the poor.
At the outbreak of the revolutionary movements in n1848, when Pope Pius IX still appeared to be a liberal and a nationalist, Bassi joined as an army chaplain, Gen. Giovanni Durando´s papal force protecting the frontiers.
His eloquence helped draw new recruits into the republican movement, and he exercised great influence over the soldiers and the people generally. When Pius discarded all connection with the nationalist movement, only Bassi was able to restrain the Bolognese in their indignation. He was wounded at Treviso in May 1848, but on his recovery marched unarmed at the head of the volunteers at Mestre.
After the pope´s flight from Rome in November and the proclamation of the Roman republic in early 1849, Bassi joined the Garibaldi forces fighting against French troops that were sent in to restore the temporal power. When Garibaldi was forced to leave Rome, Bassi followed him to San Marino; and when the legion broke up, Garibaldi escaped but Bassi and a fellow patriot, Count Livraghi, were captured near Comacchio. Turned over to the Austrian authorities and taken to Bologna, they were charged with having been found with guns in their hands (Bassi had never borne arms at all) and executed.
SIR ARNOLD BAX (1947)
Composer whose work represent romantic musical tendencies between World Wars I and II and contributed considerably to the revival of English music.
In 1900 he entered the Royal Academy of Music where he studied the piano.
Influenced by the Celtic revival and Irish poetry, in 1909 he wrote the symphonic poem In the Faëry Hills.
He spent the year 1910 in Russia.
During the following years, under the pseudonym Dermot O´Byrne he published short stories and poems in Ireland, where he spent much time.
In 1916 and 1917 he wrote three symphonic poems, The Garden of Fand,, Tintagel and November Woods, which established his reputation.
In 1920 Sergey Diaghilev produced his ballet, The Truth About the Russian Dancers, on a scenario by the playwright J.M. Barrie.
Between 1921 and 1939 he wrote seven symphonies dedicated to the musicians he admired, among them John Ireland and Jean Sibelius.
He also wrote numerous piano and chamber works, including a sonata for viola and harp (1928) and a nonet (1931).
Living for long periods on the coasts of Ireland and Scotland, he wrote music that was romantically evocative and richly orchestrated.
He was knighted in 1937 and in 1941 was appointed master of the king´s music.
In 1900 he entered the Royal Academy of Music where he studied the piano.
Influenced by the Celtic revival and Irish poetry, in 1909 he wrote the symphonic poem In the Faëry Hills.
He spent the year 1910 in Russia.
During the following years, under the pseudonym Dermot O´Byrne he published short stories and poems in Ireland, where he spent much time.
In 1916 and 1917 he wrote three symphonic poems, The Garden of Fand,, Tintagel and November Woods, which established his reputation.
In 1920 Sergey Diaghilev produced his ballet, The Truth About the Russian Dancers, on a scenario by the playwright J.M. Barrie.
Between 1921 and 1939 he wrote seven symphonies dedicated to the musicians he admired, among them John Ireland and Jean Sibelius.
He also wrote numerous piano and chamber works, including a sonata for viola and harp (1928) and a nonet (1931).
Living for long periods on the coasts of Ireland and Scotland, he wrote music that was romantically evocative and richly orchestrated.
He was knighted in 1937 and in 1941 was appointed master of the king´s music.
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