Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 1.djvu/299

 separate college. When Mr. Birrell's bill for the creation of a new university was introduced in parliament (31 March 1908), Butcher opposed the granting of indefinite powers of affiliation to the senate, but in vain. Although the scheme differed in many ways from what he desired, he accepted a place in the senate of the new university, and thenceforward took an active part in its proceedings.

In 1906, on the death of his old friend Sir [q. v. Suppl. II], Butcher was chosen in his place to represent the University of Cambridge in parliament. His first speech was made on the Irish university bill, and produced a marked effect. It was an impassioned appeal to substitute for the existing royal university a real teaching university where the catholic Irish layman could obtain the education he desired. He spoke in the House of Commons comparatively seldom, and confined himself chiefly to educational and Irish questions; but he always displayed mastery of his subject, and the elegance and lucidity of his language, his clear voice and conciliatory manner, combined with deep feeling and evident sincerity of purpose, gained him a notable position.

In other directions also the last years of his life were full of activity. In 1903 he had been one of the principal founders of the English Classical Association. He acted as chairman of its council from that date onwards, and as president in 1907. He was specially instrumental in bringing about, through the agency of the association, a reform in the pronunciation of Latin which is now generally accepted in this country. Of the Irish Classical Association he was also the first president. He was a prominent member of the Hellenic Society and of the committee for the British school at Athens. He opposed the abolition of compulsory Greek at the older universities, but was willing to make certain concessions in favour of students specialising in other subjects. When the British Academy was founded in 1902 he was one of its original members, and became its president in 1909. In July 1908 he was appointed a trustee of the British Museum, and six months later became a member of the standing committee. On educational questions and appointments he was continually consulted, general confidence being placed in his judgment. Honours fell thick upon him. He received honorary degrees from the universities of Oxford, Dublin, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow. Manchester, and Harvard. He was a corresponding member of the American Academy. He received from the King of Greece, in 1910, the Order of the Redeemer. He was an honorary fellow both of University College, Oxford, and of Trinity College, Cambridge.

The multifarious labours in which he was engaged told eventually upon his health. Although naturally somewhat delicate in constitution, he generally bore all the appearance of a healthy man. He spent the summer vacation of 1910 at Danesfort, near Killarney, on a little property inherited from his father, where he loved to spend his holidays among his own people. His last public appearance was at the dinner in celebration of the completion of the eleventh edition of the 'Encyclopædia Britannica' on 21 Oct. 1910. Shortly afterwards he had an attack of internal hæmorrhage, which led to suffusion of blood on the brain. He died without issue in a nursing home in London on 29 Dec. 1910, and was buried in the Dean cemetery, Edinburgh, by the side of his wife.

Of middle height, well but rather slightly built, Butcher was remarkably handsome. His eyes were large, of a deep brown, and very brilliant. His hair was black and abundant, slightly grizzled towards the end of his life. His conversation was fluent, vivacious and energetic, but playful as well as vigorous, argumentative on occasion, but never overbearing. Generous to others, he was capable of fiery indignation against public or private wrongs. Withal he had a strong sense of humour, delighting especially in the sometimes unconscious wit of his countrymen. His character, like his descent, was a happy blend of what is best in the two nations to which he belonged of Irish charm, vivacity, and eloquence, with English energy, courage, and resolution. A portrait of him, in oils, by Mr. Sholto Douglas, is in the possession of Lord Monteagle.

His most important publications are:  'The Odyssey of Homer done into English Prose' (with Andrew Lang), 1879.  'Demosthenes' ('Classical Writers' series), 1881.  'Some Aspects of the Greek Genius,' 1891; republished with an additional chapter, 1893.  'Aristotle's Theory of Poetry and Fine Art, with a critical text and a translation of the Poetics,' 1895; revised editions, 1897, 1902: the text of the 'Poetics,' with notes and translations, was published separately in 1898.  'Greek Idealism in the Common Things of Life' (reprinted from the Journal of Education), 1901. 