Demosthenes
A celebrated Athenian, was the son of a rich blacksmith, and Cleobule. He became a pupil of Plato, and applied himself to study the orations of Isocrates. At the age of seventeen he gave early proof of his eloquence and abilities in displaying them against his guardians, from whom he obtained restitution of the greater part of his estate.
To correct the stammering of voice under which he labored he spoke with pebbles in his mouth. In the battle of Cheronaea he evinced cowardice, and saved his life by flight. He ended his life by taking poison, which he always carried in a quill, in the sixtieth year of his age, B. C. 322.