William Hepworth Dixon
Encyclopedia
William Hepworth Dixon (1821–1879), English historian
and traveller, born near
Manchester, went to London in 1846, and became connected with the Daily News, for which he wrote articles on social and prison reform.
In 1850, he published John Howard and the Prison World of Europe, which had a wide circulation, and about the same time he wrote a Life of Peace (1851), in answer to Macaulay's onslaught. Lives of Admiral Blake and Lord Bacon followed, which received somewhat severe criticisms at the hands of competent authorities. Dixon was editor of The Athenaeum
, 1853-69, and wrote many books of travel, including The Holy Land (1865), New America (1867), and Free Russia (1870). He also wrote British Cyprus (1879).
His later historical works include Her Majesty's Tower, and The History of Two Queens (Catherine of Aragon
and Anne Boleyn
). Though a diligent student of original authorities, and sometimes successful in throwing fresh light on his subjects, Dixon was not always accurate, and thus laid himself open to criticism; and his book, Spiritual Wives, treating of Mormonism
, was so adversely criticised as to lead to an action. He wrote, however, in a fresh and interesting style.
He was one of the founders of the Palestine Exploration Fund, and was a member of the first School Board for London (1870). He was called to the Bar in 1854, but never practised.
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and traveller, born near
Manchester, went to London in 1846, and became connected with the Daily News, for which he wrote articles on social and prison reform.
In 1850, he published John Howard and the Prison World of Europe, which had a wide circulation, and about the same time he wrote a Life of Peace (1851), in answer to Macaulay's onslaught. Lives of Admiral Blake and Lord Bacon followed, which received somewhat severe criticisms at the hands of competent authorities. Dixon was editor of The Athenaeum
Athenaeum (magazine)
The Athenaeum was a literary magazine published in London from 1828 to 1921. It had a reputation for publishing the very best writers of the age....
, 1853-69, and wrote many books of travel, including The Holy Land (1865), New America (1867), and Free Russia (1870). He also wrote British Cyprus (1879).
His later historical works include Her Majesty's Tower, and The History of Two Queens (Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon , also known as Katherine or Katharine, was Queen consort of England as the first wife of King Henry VIII of England and Princess of Wales as the wife to Arthur, Prince of Wales...
and Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn ;c.1501/1507 – 19 May 1536) was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as the second wife of Henry VIII of England and Marquess of Pembroke in her own right. Henry's marriage to Anne, and her subsequent execution, made her a key figure in the political and religious upheaval that was the...
). Though a diligent student of original authorities, and sometimes successful in throwing fresh light on his subjects, Dixon was not always accurate, and thus laid himself open to criticism; and his book, Spiritual Wives, treating of Mormonism
Mormonism
Mormonism is the religion practiced by Mormons, and is the predominant religious tradition of the Latter Day Saint movement. This movement was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. beginning in the 1820s as a form of Christian primitivism. During the 1830s and 1840s, Mormonism gradually distinguished itself...
, was so adversely criticised as to lead to an action. He wrote, however, in a fresh and interesting style.
He was one of the founders of the Palestine Exploration Fund, and was a member of the first School Board for London (1870). He was called to the Bar in 1854, but never practised.
External links
- William Penn: an historical biography William Hepworth Dixon, 1851, (Blanchard & Lea, London}