Dictionary.net

A distinguished English historian; born at Harborne in Staffordshire, Aug. 2, 1823; died at Alicante in Spain, May 16, 1892. He was appointed protessor of history at Oxford, 1884. The principal of his very numerous works are: "History and Conquests of the Saracens" (1856); "History of the Norman Conquest of England" (6 vols., 1867-79); "General Sketch of European History" (1872); "Growth of the English Constitution" (1872); "Reign of William Rufus and Accession of Henry I". (2 vols., 1882); "Fifty Years of European History" (1888). At the time of his death he was engaged on a great "History of Sicily", of which four volumes have been published. Among his miscellaneous writings are: "Lectures to American Audiences" (1882) and "Some Impressions of the United States" (1883). His contributions to the periodicals of his day were frequent and of great weight; and he was a fiery and unvarying champion of national freedom.