Born 1811.—Died 1863.—George III.—George IV.—William IV.—Victoria.

This celebrated writer was a Charterhouse boy. His career began by his lectures upon the English Humorists and the Four Georges (the kings of that name), upon whom he discanted in terms of the most pungent and biting satire. His novels, Esmond, The Newcomes, Vanity Fair, The Virginians, have become English classics. Thackeray’s knowledge of life and character was wonderful, but he indulged in too bitter and censorious views of society.