Ichabod Charles Wright
Encyclopedia
Ichabod Charles Wright was an English scholar, translator, poet and accountant. He is best known for his translation of important works of Italian literature
, notably the works of Dante
's Divine Comedy.
in 1795, the first child of Ichabod Wright (1767–1862) and Harriet Maria Day (d.1843) and the eldest of their three sons and ten daughters. His grandfather Ichabod Wright (1700–1777) was an ironmonger who founded a bank in Long Row, Nottinghamshire in 1761.
Wright studied at Eton College
(1808–14) and pursued further education in Christ Church, Oxford
, graduating with second-class BA honours in 1817 and MA in 1820, holding an open fellowship at Magdalen, Oxford from 1819 to 1825.
In 1825, he joined his father in the banking profession and shortly after he began working he married Theodosia (1806–1895) on December 21, 1825, the daughter of Thomas Denman
, the first Lord Denman, who later became Lord Chief Justice of England.
Wright indulged in much scholarly study alongside his profession and in the 1830s developed a passion for Italian literature
and a thirst for the language. He translated the works of Dante
, notably Divina commedia in three instalments, Inferno
, Purgatorio
, and Paradiso
, which earned him critical acclaim.
These were published by Messrs. Longmans in 1833, 1836, and 1840 respectively and reprinted in a second edition in 1845. They were dedicated respectively to Lord Brougham, Archbishop Howley, and his father-in-law Lord Denman who also shared an interest in Italian literature.
He proceeded to publish works related to his profession and in 1841 he published Thoughts on Currency, and in 1847, Evils of the Currency. In 1855 he published The War and our Resources, and in 1865 he published a translation of the Iliad
of Homer
in blank verse, translated between 1859 and 1864. In 1864 he wrote A letter to the Dean of Canterbury, on the Homeric lectures of Matthew Arnold; Matthew Arnold
was a distinguished professor of poetry at the University of Oxford
. His final work A Selection of Psalms in Verse was written in 1867, although many of his poems were printed privately after his death in 1873.
Ichabod Charles Wright died on 14 October 1871 at Heathfield Hall, Burwash, Sussex
. He had resided in Stapleford Hall but died in the home of his eldest son, Charles Ichabod Wright
(born 1828), a politician and Conservative Party MP.
Italian literature
Italian literature is literature written in the Italian language, particularly within Italy. It may also refer to literature written by Italians or in Italy in other languages spoken in Italy, often languages that are closely related to modern Italian....
, notably the works of Dante
DANTE
Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe is a not-for-profit organisation that plans, builds and operates the international networks that interconnect the various national research and education networks in Europe and surrounding regions...
's Divine Comedy.
Biography
He was born in Mapperley HallMapperley Hall
Mapperley Hall is a country house located at 51 Lucknow Avenue in Nottingham, England. Home of the Wright family of accountants from 1792, the building was later used for offices and became a Grade II listed building on July 12, 1972...
in 1795, the first child of Ichabod Wright (1767–1862) and Harriet Maria Day (d.1843) and the eldest of their three sons and ten daughters. His grandfather Ichabod Wright (1700–1777) was an ironmonger who founded a bank in Long Row, Nottinghamshire in 1761.
Wright studied at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
(1808–14) and pursued further education in Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, graduating with second-class BA honours in 1817 and MA in 1820, holding an open fellowship at Magdalen, Oxford from 1819 to 1825.
In 1825, he joined his father in the banking profession and shortly after he began working he married Theodosia (1806–1895) on December 21, 1825, the daughter of Thomas Denman
Thomas Denman, 1st Baron Denman
Thomas Denman, 1st Baron Denman PC KC was a British lawyer, judge and politician. He served as Lord Chief Justice between 1832 and 1850.-Background and education:Denman was born in London, the son of Dr Thomas Denman...
, the first Lord Denman, who later became Lord Chief Justice of England.
Wright indulged in much scholarly study alongside his profession and in the 1830s developed a passion for Italian literature
Italian literature
Italian literature is literature written in the Italian language, particularly within Italy. It may also refer to literature written by Italians or in Italy in other languages spoken in Italy, often languages that are closely related to modern Italian....
and a thirst for the language. He translated the works of Dante
DANTE
Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe is a not-for-profit organisation that plans, builds and operates the international networks that interconnect the various national research and education networks in Europe and surrounding regions...
, notably Divina commedia in three instalments, Inferno
Inferno (Dante)
Inferno is the first part of Dante Alighieri's 14th-century epic poem Divine Comedy. It is followed by Purgatorio and Paradiso. It is an allegory telling of the journey of Dante through what is largely the medieval concept of Hell, guided by the Roman poet Virgil. In the poem, Hell is depicted as...
, Purgatorio
Purgatorio
Purgatorio is the second part of Dante's Divine Comedy, following the Inferno, and preceding the Paradiso. The poem was written in the early 14th century. It is an allegory telling of the climb of Dante up the Mount of Purgatory, guided by the Roman poet Virgil...
, and Paradiso
Paradiso (Dante)
Paradiso is the third and final part of Dante's Divine Comedy, following the Inferno and the Purgatorio. It is an allegory telling of Dante's journey through Heaven, guided by Beatrice, who symbolises theology...
, which earned him critical acclaim.
These were published by Messrs. Longmans in 1833, 1836, and 1840 respectively and reprinted in a second edition in 1845. They were dedicated respectively to Lord Brougham, Archbishop Howley, and his father-in-law Lord Denman who also shared an interest in Italian literature.
He proceeded to publish works related to his profession and in 1841 he published Thoughts on Currency, and in 1847, Evils of the Currency. In 1855 he published The War and our Resources, and in 1865 he published a translation of the Iliad
Iliad
The Iliad is an epic poem in dactylic hexameters, traditionally attributed to Homer. Set during the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of the city of Troy by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles...
of Homer
Homer
In the Western classical tradition Homer , is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. These epics lie at the beginning of the Western canon of literature, and have had an enormous influence on the history of literature.When he lived is...
in blank verse, translated between 1859 and 1864. In 1864 he wrote A letter to the Dean of Canterbury, on the Homeric lectures of Matthew Arnold; Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold was a British poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. He was the son of Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of Rugby School, and brother to both Tom Arnold, literary professor, and William Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator...
was a distinguished professor of poetry at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
. His final work A Selection of Psalms in Verse was written in 1867, although many of his poems were printed privately after his death in 1873.
Ichabod Charles Wright died on 14 October 1871 at Heathfield Hall, Burwash, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
. He had resided in Stapleford Hall but died in the home of his eldest son, Charles Ichabod Wright
Charles Ichabod Wright
Charles Ichabod Wright was a British banker and Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1868 to 1870....
(born 1828), a politician and Conservative Party MP.