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 694 LOWELL '40 he travelled extensively in Europe and the East. Besides many occasional discourses, he published sermons (2 vols., Boston, 1855). VI. Mary. See PUTNAM, MAEY LOWELL* VII. Rob- ert Traill Spenee, an American author, son of the Rev. Charles Lowell, born in Boston, Oct. 8, 1816. He was educated at Bound Hill school, Northampton, and at Harvard college, where he graduated in 1833. He studied med- icine and afterward theology, and in 1842 was ordained a clergyman of the church of Eng- land by the bishop of Newfoundland and Ber- muda, whom he accompanied as chaplain first to Bermuda, and then to Newfoundland, where he was settled for some years as rector of Bay Robert. During a severe famine which pre- vailed in the island he was appointed com- missioner for distributing food, became ill through overwork, and returned home. He soon after became rector of Christ church, Newark, N. J., and subsequently of Christ church in Duanesburg, N. Y., and still later principal of St. Mark's school in Southborough, Mass. In July, 1873, he became professor in Union college. In 1858 he published at Bos- ton a novel of Newfoundland life antl scenery, "The New Priest in Conception Bay;" in 1860, "Fresh Hearts that failed 3,000 Years Ago, and other Poems ;" and in 1874, " Antony Brade," a story of school-boy life. VIII. James Russell, an American poet, brother of the pre- ceding, born in Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 22, 1819. He graduated at Harvard college in 1838, and recited a " Class Poem," which was print- ed in 1839, and which contained many strokes of vigorous satire and much sharp wit. He studied law in Harvard university, was admit- ted to the bar in 1840, and opened an office in Boston, but soon abandoned the profession and devoted himself entirely to literature. In 1841 he published a volume of poems entitled " A Year's Life," which has never been reprinted, though many of the poems, revised by the maturer taste and judgment of the author, have been incorporated into the subsequent collections of his writings. In January, 1843, he commenced, in conjunction with Robert Carter, the publication at Boston of "The Pioneer, a Literary and Critical Magazine." Three monthly numbers were issued, containing articles from Poe, Neal, Hawthorne, Parsons, Story, and others, besides the editors, when the publishers, involved in debt by other pub- lications, failed, and the magazine was dis- continued. Mr. Lowell's next publication was a volume of "Poems" (Cambridge, 1844), comprising "A Legend of Brittany," "Pro- metheus," "Rhascus," and numerous smaller pieces, among which were sonnets to Wendell Phillips and J. R. Giddings, expressing decided anti-slavery sentiments. A volume of prose, entitled " Conversations on some of the Old Poets" (Cambridge, 1845), next appeared. It is a series of essays in the form of dialogues on Chaucer, Chapman, Ford, and poets and poetry in general, interspersed with remarks on poli- tics, slavery, and other topics. A second series of his " Poems " (Cambridge, 1848) contained " The Present Crisis," "Anti-Texas," " On the Capture of certain Fugitive Slaves near Wash- ington," and others which obtained great pop- ularity among the opponents of slavery. In the same year were published at Cambridge "The Vision of Sir Launfal," a poem founded upon the legend of the search for the Holy Grail, and the "Biglow Papers," a witty and humorous satire, consisting of various poems in the Yankee dialect, ostensibly by Mr. Ho- sea Biglow, and edited, with an introduction, notes, glossary, index, and "notices of an independent press," by "Homer Wilbur, A. M., pastor of the first church in Jaalam, and prospective member of many literary, learned, and scientific societies." This satire was main- ly directed against slavery and the war with Mexico in 1846-'7. It has passed through several editions in the United States, with ad- ditions, and has been twice reprinted in Eng- land. In 1848 also appeared anonymously " A Fable for Critics," an ingenious rhymed essay upon the principal living American authors. In July, 1851, Mr. Lowell visited Europe, trav- elling in England, France, and Switzerland, and residing for a considerable period in Italy. He returned home in December, 1852. In the winter of 1854-'5 he delivered a course of 12 lectures on the British poets. In January, 1855, on the resignation of Mr. Longfellow, he was appointed professor of modern languages and belles-letters in Harvard college. To qual- ify himself more fully for the duties of the office, he went to Europe in May, and after spending a year in study, chiefly at Dresden, he returned home in August, 1856. From 1857 to 1862 he edited the "Atlantic Month- ly," in which many of his writings first ap- peared. In 1863, in conjunction with Charles E. Norton, he assumed the editorship of the " North American Review," to which he had also been a frequent contributor, and retained the charge of it till 1872. In 1864 he pub- lished "Fireside Travels;" in 1867, a new se- ries of the " Biglow Papers " and " Melibosus Hipponax ;" in 1868, " Under the Willows, and other Poems;" in 1869, "The Cathedral," a poem; and in 1870, two volumes of literary essays, "Among my Books" and "My Study Windows." He was appointed to write the poem to be delivered on " commemoration day" at Harvard university, when memorial ceremonies were held for alumni of the uni- versity who had fallen in the civil war ; and the "Commemoration Ode" then recited is one of the noblest of his poems. In 1872 he again visited Europe, returning in 1874. The degree of D. C. L. was conferred upon him in 1873 by the university of Oxford, and that of LL. D. in 1874 by the university of Cambridge, England. IX. Maria (WHITE), an American poet, wife of the preceding, born in Watertown, Mass., July 8, 1821, died in Cambridge, Oct. 27, 1853. Her marriage with