- William Hepworth Dixon
William Hepworth Dixon (1821 - 1879),
historian and traveller, born nearManchester, 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).His later historical works include "
Her Majesty's Tower ", and "The History of Two Queens " (Catherine of Arragon 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 ofMormonism , 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.
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