The New Student's Reference Work/Taine, Hippolyte Adolphe

Taine, Hippolyte Adolphe, a well-known French critic, was born at Vouziers, France, April 21, 1828. He studied at Bourbon College, and in 1864 was made professor of the history and æsthetics of art in the school of arts. One of his first essays was crowned by the French Academy. Among his most important works is The History of English Literature, a clear and valuable criticism written in brilliant style. In 1871 the University of Oxford conferred the honorary LL.D., and in 1887 he was elected to membership in the French Academy. His other writings embrace Journey in Italy, Journey to the Pyrenees, The Old Regime, Notes on England and The Ideal in Art. He died at Paris, March 5, 1893.