William Henry Davenport Adams
Encyclopedia
William Henry Davenport Adams (1828 – 1891), was an English writer and journalist of the 19th century, notable for a number of his publications.
He was educated privately, under George Dawson, and became an omnivorous reader. After some experience as a teacher of special subjects in private families, he began a life of unceasing literary toil by editing a provincial newspaper in the Isle of Wight
, and while still young established a connection with the London press through such journals as the Literary Gazette
, the London Journal
’ and London Society
. He made some reputation in turn as a writer of popular science, a writer for boys, a translator, and a lexicographer.
He supervised a new edition of Mackenzie's National Cyclopedia, and did a large amount of reading and writing for Messrs. Black (for whom he wrote Guides to Kent
and Surrey
), for Blackie & Son
of Glasgow
, and Nelson & Sons
, Edinburgh
. In 1870 he founded the Scottish Guardian, which he edited down to 1878, and subsequently he projected and edited a series of volumes called The Whitefriars Library of Wit and Humour. He died at Wimbledon
on 30 December 1891, and was buried at Kensal Green
. He married in 1850 Sarah Esther Morgan, a Welsh lady, by whom he left two sons and two daughters, his eldest son, W. Davenport Adams
, being the author of the Dictionary of English Literature (1878).
Adams's voluminous compilations, numbering nearly 140 in all, include a number of useful translations from the French of L. Figuier, J. C. F. Hoefer, A. Mangin, Jules Michelet, and B. H. Révoil. According to the Dictionary of National Biography
, his best work is contained in the following:
He also edited a single-volume annotated edition of Shakespeare's Plays.
Biography
William Henry Davenport Adams, born in London on 5 May 1828, grandson of Captain Adams, R.N. (d 1806), was the only son of Samuel Adams (b. Ashburton, in Devonshire, 1798, d. 1853), who married in 1827 Elizabeth Mary Snell. He was christened William Henry, and assumed the additional name of Davenport by the desire of his great-uncle, Major Davenport.He was educated privately, under George Dawson, and became an omnivorous reader. After some experience as a teacher of special subjects in private families, he began a life of unceasing literary toil by editing a provincial newspaper in the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
, and while still young established a connection with the London press through such journals as the Literary Gazette
Literary Gazette
The Literary Gazette was a British literary magazine, established in London in 1817 with its full title being The Literary Gazette, and Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences. Sometimes it appeared with the caption title, "London Literary Gazette". It was founded by the publisher Henry Colburn,...
, the London Journal
The London Journal
The London Journal; and Weekly Record of Literature, Science and Art was a British penny fiction weekly, one of the best-selling magazines of the nineteenth century....
’ and London Society
London Society
London Society was a Victorian era illustrated monthly periodical, subtitled "an illustrated magazine of light and amusing literature for the hours of relaxation". It was published between 1862 and 1898 by W. Clowes and Sons, London. The magazine published miscellaneous articles, short fiction ,...
. He made some reputation in turn as a writer of popular science, a writer for boys, a translator, and a lexicographer.
He supervised a new edition of Mackenzie's National Cyclopedia, and did a large amount of reading and writing for Messrs. Black (for whom he wrote Guides to Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
and Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
), for Blackie & Son
Blackie and Son Limited
Blackie and Son Limited was a publishing house in Glasgow, Scotland and in London, England, from 1890 to 1991.The firm was founded in 1809 by John Blackie, snr. as a partnership with two others and was originally known as 'Blackie, Fullerton and Company'. It began printing in 1819 and was renamed...
of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, and Nelson & Sons
Thomas Nelson (publisher)
Thomas Nelson is a publishing firm that began in Scotland in 1798 as the namesake of its founder. Its former US division is currently the sixth largest American trade publisher and the world's largest Christian publisher. It is owned by the private equity firm Kohlberg & Company...
, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. In 1870 he founded the Scottish Guardian, which he edited down to 1878, and subsequently he projected and edited a series of volumes called The Whitefriars Library of Wit and Humour. He died at Wimbledon
Wimbledon, London
Wimbledon is a district in the south west area of London, England, located south of Wandsworth, and east of Kingston upon Thames. It is situated within Greater London. It is home to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and New Wimbledon Theatre, and contains Wimbledon Common, one of the largest areas...
on 30 December 1891, and was buried at Kensal Green
Kensal Green Cemetery
Kensal Green Cemetery is a cemetery in Kensal Green, in the west of London, England. It was immortalised in the lines of G. K. Chesterton's poem The Rolling English Road from his book The Flying Inn: "For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen; Before we go to Paradise by way of...
. He married in 1850 Sarah Esther Morgan, a Welsh lady, by whom he left two sons and two daughters, his eldest son, W. Davenport Adams
William Davenport Adams
William Davenport Adams was an English journalist and author.-Biography:He was the son of William Henry Davenport Adams, also a journalist and author. The son was educated at Edinburgh University and began newspaper work in 1870. He became literary editor of the London Globe in 1885, and was also...
, being the author of the Dictionary of English Literature (1878).
Adams's voluminous compilations, numbering nearly 140 in all, include a number of useful translations from the French of L. Figuier, J. C. F. Hoefer, A. Mangin, Jules Michelet, and B. H. Révoil. According to the Dictionary of National Biography
Dictionary of National Biography
The Dictionary of National Biography is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885...
, his best work is contained in the following:
- History, Topography, and Antiquities of the Isle of Wight, 1856 and 1884.
- Memorable Battles in English History, 1862, 1868, and 1878.
- Famous Regiments, 1864.
- Famous Ships of the British Navy, 1868.
- Lighthouses and Lightships, 1870, 1876, 1879.
- The Arctic World: its Plants, Animals, and Natural Phenomena, 1876.
- The Bird World, 1877.
- English Party Leaders, 2 vols. 1878.
- The Merry Monarch, 1885.
- England on the Sea, 2 vols. 1885.
- England at War, 2 vols. 1886.
- Good Queen Anne, 1886.
- A Concordance to the Plays of Shakespeare, 1886.
- Witch, Warlock, and Magician, 1889.
- Battle Stories, 1889.
He also edited a single-volume annotated edition of Shakespeare's Plays.
External links
- Texts by Adams at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...