Born 1728.—Died 1797.—George II.—George III.

Born in Dublin, was one of the most distinguished parliamentary orators ever known. He was in opposition during the Grafton Ministry (1769), but was afterwards drawn to Fox by the debates on the taxation of the American colonies, especially on tea, against which Burke made a famous speech (1771). He also supported Fox with all the splendour of his oratory under the Duke of Portland (1783). The grandest of all his speeches was said to be that against Warren Hastings, in whose impeachment he took a great part. He also spoke in the strongest way against the French Revolution, and by so doing separated himself from Fox (1791). Burke died in 1797. His writings are voluminous; the best known are his Reflections upon the French Revolution and his Discourse on the Sublime and Beautiful. He lived (when in the country), died, and was buried at Beaconsfield, in Buckinghamshire, where “Burke’s Grove” is well known.