Abstract

Historical Biographies

This article presents information on the book "Historical Biographies," edited by M. Creighton. This work is the best of the series to which it belongs--partly, no doubt, because the character of the series has now become more definitely shaped and established; chiefly, however, one thinks, from the character of the subject. It is not always remembered how different in aim and style a biography is from a history. This book contains biographies of persons of historical importance. No better example of the class of men whose lives are suited to be the subject of biography can be found than Walter Ralegh. He was so near the court, and so constantly in contact with public affairs, that his life touches history in every event; and yet his life was essentially private.