Macaulay

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

THOMAS BABING- TON, an English historian; born in Rothley Temple, Leicestershire, England, Oct. 25, 1800. He composed a compendium of universal history before he was eight years old; went to school at Shelford and entered Cambridge in 1818. In 1826 he was called to the bar, but not succeeding in law practice he soon abandoned it. He was in constant attendance in the galleries of the House of Commons. In 1825 he contributed to the "Edinburgh Review" an essay on Milton. Its effect was electrical, and its reception created such a blaze of popularity for its author that he at once took his place as one of the great literary characters of his time. He entered Parliament in 1830 and for three years he worked assiduously in the House of Commons and in the production of essays for the "Edinburgh Review." When the Reform Act of 1832 prevailed, and Earl Grey's cabinet triumphed, he was made a commissioner of the Board of Control for Indian Affairs, devoting himself to a thorough study of India. In 1833 he was returned for Leeds, where he advocated the abolition of slavery and engaged in debate with O'Connell. In 1834 he accepted a seat on the Supreme Council of India. In 1838 he returned to England, and was at once sent to Parliament from Edinburgh. In 1839 he became Secretary of War in Lord Melbourne's cabinet. In 1846 he was appointed Paymaster-General in Lord John Russell's cabinet, where he had time to devote himself to his "History of England," which he had now begun. He soon retired entirely to private life in order to prosecute this work, refusing seat in the cabinet in 1852. He accepted a seat in the House, however, in 1853, duties a small but only to give public e public measure of his attention. In 1848 the THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY first two volumes of the "History" appeared and were followed by the last two in 1855. They were immediately and immensely popular. His essays and miscellaneous writings are still widely read both for style and content. In 1857 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Macaulay of Rothley. He died in Kensington, London, Dec. 28, 1859.