OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ballard, Volant Vashon

​BALLARD, VOLANT VASHON (1774?–1832), rear-admiral, a nephew of Admiral James Vashon, served as a midshipman with Vancouver in his voyage to the north-west coast of America. Shortly after his return to England he was made a lieutenant, 6 June 1795; and in 1798, whilst commanding the Hobart sloop, on the East India station, was posted into the Carysfort frigate. He subsequently commanded the Jason frigate, the De Ruyter, of 68 guns, and the Beschermer, of 50 guns, but without any opportunity of special distinction. In 1807, whilst commanding the Blonde, a 32-gun frigate, he cruised with great success against the enemy's privateers, capturing seven of them within a few months; and in 1809-10, still in the Blonde, served under the command of his namesake, Commodore Ballard of the Sceptre, at the capture of the French frigates in Anse-la-Barque, and the reduction of Guadeloupe [see Ballard, Samuel James], for which he was honourably mentioned by both the naval and military commanders-in-chief. He obtained his flag rank in May 1825, and died at Bath 12 Oct. 1832.
[Gent. Mag. cii. ii. 646.]
J. K. L.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Balliol

​BALLIOL. [See Baliol.]
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ballingall, George

​BALLINGALL, Sir GEORGE, M.D. (1780–1855), regius professor of military surgery at Edinburgh, was son of the Rev. Robert Ballingall, minister of Forglen, Banffshire, where he was born 2 May 1780. He studied at St. Andrew's, and in 1803 proceeded to the university of Edinburgh, where he was assistant to Dr. Barclay, lecturer on anatomy. He was appointed assistant-surgeon of the 2nd battalion 1st Royals in 1806, with which he served some years in India; in November 1815 he became surgeon of the 33rd foot, and retired on half-pay in 1818. In 1823 he was chosen as lecturer on military surgery at the university of Edinburgh, which then, and for some years afterwards, was the only place in the three kingdoms where special instruction was given in a department of surgical science, the importance of which had too plainly been demonstrated during the long war just ended. In 1825 Ballingall succeeded to the chair of military surgery, the duties of which he discharged with untiring zeal for thirty years. He was knighted on the occasion of the accession of King William IV. Sir George, who was a fellow of the Royal Societies of London and Edinburgh, and corresponding member of the French Institute, was author of various professional works, the most important being: # 'Observations on the Diseases of European Troops in India.' # 'Observations on the Site and Construction of Hospitals.' # 'Outlines of Military Surgery.' The last, which is still regarded as an instructive work, went through five editions, the fifth appearing at the time of the Russian war, shortly before the author's death, which occurred at Blairgowrie on 4 Dec. 1855.
[Army Lists; Gent. Mag. 1856; Edinburgh Med. Jour. Jan. 1856; Ballingall's Works.]
H. M. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Balmer, George

​BALMER, GEORGE (d. 1846), painter, was the son of a house-painter, and destined to follow his father's trade. But that he soon abandoned, and, coming under the influence of Ewbank, made his first endeavours in painting. His earliest works being exhibited at Newcastle attracted some atention, and he followed up his success with a large picture, 'A View of the Port of Tyne.' in 1831 he exhibited at Newcastle some water-colour paintings, of which one, 'The Juicy Tree bit,' was thought the best in the rooms. In conjunction with J. W. Carmichael he painted 'Collingwood at the Battle of Trafalgar.' This work is now in the Trinity House of Newcastle. In 1832 or 1833 he made a tour on the continent, travelling by way of Holland to the Rhine and Switzerland, and returning by way of Paris to England. Many pictures resulted from this excursion; a large 'View of Bingen' and one of 'Haarlem Mere' being amongst the best. Balmer made much and good use of his foreign sketches, but his was a properly English genius. He 'was never so much in his element as when painting a stranded ship, an old lighthouse, or the ' rippling of waves on a shingly coast.' In 1836, in the employ of Messrs. Finden, Balmer began a publication called 'The Ports and Harbours of England.' It began well, but ended ill. He retired from London in 1842, and gave up painting. He died near Ravensworth, in Durham, 10 April 1846. Pictures of shipping, of street arcnitecture, and of rural scenery came alike from his hand. His prints show great versatility. His reputation in his day was considerable.
[Ottley's Supplement to Bryan, 1866; Cooper's Biog. Dict.; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists of Eng. School.]
E. R.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Balmerino

​BALMERINO, Barons.[See Elphinstone]
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ballenden, William

​BALLENDEN or BALLANTYNE, WILLIAM (1616–1661), prefect-apostolic of the catholic mission in Scotland, was a native of Douglas, Lanarkshire, of which parish his father was the minister. His paternal uncle was a lord of session, with the title of Lord Newhall. He studied in the university of Edinburgh, and afterwards travelled on the continent. At Paris he was converted to the catholic religion. He entered the Scotch college at Rome in 1641, and, having received the order of priesthood, left it in 1646, and then stayed in the Scotch college at Paris, preparing himself for the mission, till 1649, when he returned to his native country. At this period the secular clergy of Scotland were in a state of utter disorganisation, and dissensions had arisen between them and the members of the religious orders, particularly the Jesuits. Ballenden, perceiving the disastrous results of this want of union, despatched the Rev. William Leslie to Rome to solicit the appointment of a bishop for Scotland. This request was not granted by the holy see, but in 1653, by a decree of propaganda, the Scotch secular clergy were freed from the jurisdiction of the ​English prelates and Jesuit superiorship, and were incorporated into a missionary body under the superintendence of Ballenden, who was nominated the first prefect-apostolic of the mission. Besides effecting many other conversions, he received the Marquis of Huntly into the church. In 1656 Ballenden visited France, and on his return, landing at Rye in Sussex, he was arrested by Cromwell's orders and conveyed to London, where he remained in confinement for nearly two years. He was then banished, and withdrew to Paris in great poverty. In 1660 he returned to Scotland, and he spent the brief remainder of his life in the house of the Marchioness of Huntly at Elgin, where he died 2 Sept. 1661. Out of the writings of Suffren he composed a treatise 'On Preparation for Death,' which was much esteemed in its day, and of which a second edition was published at Douay in 1716.
[Gordon's Account of the Roman Catholic Mission in Scotland, introd. v-xi, 519-521; Blackhal's Breiffe Narration of the Services done to three Noble Ladyes, pref. xxvii; Catholic Directory (1884), 60.]
T. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Balmer, Robert

​BALMER, ROBERT (1787–1844), minister of the United Secession church, was born at Ormiston Mains, in the parish of Eckford, Roxburghshire, 22 Nov. 1787, and evincing considerable abilities and a disposition towards the christian ministry, entered the university of Edinburgh in 1802, and in 1806 the Theological Hall at Selkirk, under Dr. Lawson, professor of divinity in the body of seceders called the Associate Synod. In 1812 he received license as a preacher from the Edinburgh presbytery of the Secession church, and in 1814 was ordained minister in Berwick-on-Tweed, where he remained till his death. In 1834 he was appointed by the Associate Synod professor of pastoral theology in the Secession church, and this office he exchanged later for the professorship of systematic theology. In 1840 he received the degree of D.D. from the university of Glasgow. Balmer was a man of high influence in the denomination to which he belonged. When certain discussions arose among his brethren on some Calvinistic doctrines, he supported the less stringent views. At a meeting held in Edinburgh in 1843, to commemorate the bicentenary of the Westminster Assembly, he delivered a remarkable speech in favour of christian union, which, in an especial manner, attracted the attention of Dr. Chalmers and others, and led to important measures being taken by John Henderson of Park for promoting that cause. Balmer did not publish much during his life but after his death two volumes of 'Lectures and Discourses' were published in 1845. He died 1 July 1844.
[Balmer's Academical Lectures and Pulpit Discourses, with a memoir of his life by Rev. Dr. Henderson, of Galashiels, 1845; Andersons: Scottish Nation.]
W. G. B.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fuller, John (d.1558)

​FULLER, JOHN (d. 1558), master of Jesus College, Cambridge, was a native of Gloucester. He was educated at All Souls' College, Oxford, where he was admitted to the B.C.L. degree in July 1533, and became a fellow in 1536. He graduated D.C.L. in January 1546, and in the same year admitted himself a member of Doctors' Commons. In 1547 he was rector of Hanwell, Middlesex, but resigned the charge in 1551, having in 1550 been appointed vicar-general or chancellor to Thirlby, bishop of Norwich. At about the same time he became vicar of Swaffham, and rector of East Dereham and North Creake in Norfolk. On Thirlby's translation to the diocese of Ely, Fuller went with him as chancellor, and on 24 Sept. 1554 was installed his proxy in Ely Cathedral. In November following he was collated prebendary of the fifth stall. As chancellor he was also examiner of heretics, and condemned several, his judgment seldom inclining to leniency. He was proctor for the clergy of the diocese in two convocations, and held other preferments, being rector of Wilbraham, Fen Ditton, and Hildersham, Cambridgeshire. He resided in Queens' College, Cambridge, and when in London had rooms in Paternoster Row. He succeeded Pierpoint as master of Jesus College, Cambridge, in February 1557. In the following May he was elected to the prebend of Chamberlainwood in St. Paul's, London. He died 30 July 1558, and was buried, according to his directions, in the choir of Jesus College, to which institution he bequeathed one-third of his property, besides founding four fellowships. One-third he left to the poor of certain parishes, and the remainder to his cousins William and Margaret. His specific legacies included 13l. 6s. 8d. to All Souls' College, and two of his best geldings to the Bishop of Ely.
A. V.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fuller, Francis (1637?-1701)

​FULLER, FRANCIS, the elder (1637?–1701), nonconformist divine, born in or about 1637, was youngest son of John Fuller, vicar ​of Stebbing and minister of St. Martin's, Ironmonger Lane, London. He was educated at Queens' College, Cambridge, where he proceeded M.A. in 1660, and was incorporated at Oxford on 14 July 1663. He found himself, however, unable to conform, and was accordingly expelled from Warkworth, Northamptonshire, when acting as curate to Dr. Temple, the incumbent. Shortly afterwards he migrated to the west of England, preaching occasionally at Bath and Bristol. Finally he settled in London as assistant to Timothy Cruso [q. v.] at the English presbyterian meeting-house in Poor Jewry Lane. He continued with Cruso's successor, William Harris, until his death on 21 July 1701, at the age of sixty-four. His funeral sermon was preached by his friend, Jeremiah White, and published at London, 8vo, 1702. By his wife Bridget, who survived him, Fuller had two sons, born in Bristol, Francis [q. v.] and Samuel, who died about 1682. Calamy describes him as ‘a facetious pleasant man,’ while Samuel Palmer adds that he ‘discovered great sagacity in judging of some future events.’ Besides an address to the reader prefixed to Timothy Cruso's ‘Three Last Sermons,’ &c., 8vo, London, 1698, Fuller wrote: 1. ‘Words to give to the Young-man Knowledg and Discretion. Or, the Law of Kindness in the Tongue of a Father to his Son,’ 8vo, London, 1685. 2. ‘A Treatise of Faith and Repentance. (A Discourse of self-denial; being an appendix to the treatise of Faith’), 8vo, London, 1685. 3. ‘A Treatise of Grace and Duty,’ 8vo, London, 1689. 4. ‘Peace in War by Christ, the Prince of Peace. A Sermon [on Micah v. 5] preached … on the last Publick Fast, June the 26th, 1696,’ 4to, London, 1696. 5. ‘Some Rules how to use the World, so as not to abuse either That or our Selves,’ 8vo, London [1695?]. 6. ‘Of the Shortness of Time’ [a sermon on 1 Cor. vii. 9], 8vo, London, 1700. Job Orton found some of his works ‘very excellent, entertaining, and useful.’
G. G.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fuller, John (d.1825)

​FULLER, JOHN, M.D. (d. 1825), historian of Berwick-on-Tweed, was some years in practice as a surgeon at Ayton, Berwickshire. During that time, in 1785, he published a pamphlet of ‘New Hints relating to Persons Drowned and apparently Dead’ (London, 8vo), in which he proposed transfusion from the carotid artery of a sheep as a means of ​resuscitation. It does not appear that the method was tried. On 21 Nov. 1789 Fuller, who appears to have had no previous connection with the university, received his M.D. degree at St. Andrews upon testimonials from Messrs. N. and T. Spens, physicians, Edinburgh, Alex. Wood, surgeon, and Andrew Wardrop, physician (Minutes of the University). Afterwards he practised at Berwick. While there in 1794, soon after the formation of the board of agriculture, he addressed to the board suggestions for the collecting of health statistics from counties periodically, and for the formation of a central medical institution and of a national veterinary college. At the request of Sir John Sinclair, president of the board, he prepared in a small compass the account of Berwick for the ‘Statistical Account of Scotland;’ but as he suggested that it required more extended treatment Sinclair agreed to its publication as a separate work, entitled ‘History of Berwick’ (London, 1799), 4to, with plates. Fuller afterwards lived in Edinburgh. Sykes, the border historian, states that in 1824 Fuller issued prospectuses for a general view of the ‘Border History of England and Scotland,’ but that ‘the work was not published during his [Fuller's] lifetime.’ Fuller died at Edinburgh 14 Dec. 1825.
H. M. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fuller, Francis (1670-1706)

​FULLER, FRANCIS, the younger (1670–1706), medical writer, second son of Francis Fuller, nonconformist divine [q. v.], and his wife Bridget, was born at Bristol, and entered at St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1687. He graduated B.A. at Cambridge in 1691, and M.A. in 1704. He had severe hypochondriasis following his too vigorous external treatment of an attack of itch. The hypochondriasis was accompanied by dyspepsia, and he cured himself by exercise on horseback and by emetics. This led him to write a book on the use of exercise in the treatment of disease, called ‘Medicina Gymnastica, or a Treatise concerning the power of Exercise with respect to the Animal Œconomy, and the great necessity of it in the Cure of several Distempers,’ 1704. A second edition was published in the same year, a third in 1707, a fifth in 1718, a sixth in 1728, and a ninth and last in 1777. Sydenham had been an advocate for fresh air and exercise as remedies in consumption and hypochondriasis, and Fuller enlarges upon his suggestions. He shows but little knowledge of disease; he thought highly of millipedes in the treatment of rheumatism, and of liquorice in that of consumption, but has the merit of recommending the regular use of chafing, or, as it is now called, massage, where exercise by locomotion is impossible. He died in June 1706.
N. M.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fullarton, John

​FULLARTON, JOHN (1780?–1849), traveller and writer on the currency, was the only child of Dr. Gavin Fullarton, who died in 1795, by his wife, the daughter of Alexander Dunlop, professor of Greek in the university of Glasgow. He went to India as a medical officer in the service of the East India Company, became an assistant surgeon in the Bengal presidency in 1802, but resigned his appointment in 1813. During this period he became the part owner and editor of a newspaper at Calcutta. On leaving the service Fullarton entered the house of Alexander & Co., bankers of Calcutta, as a partner, acquired an immense fortune in a few years, and returned to England to live. Meantime he had travelled widely over India, and about 1820 made an extensive and systematic tour through the empire, which is believed to have been the first complete progress ever made through our eastern possessions. During the voyage he collected copious memoranda, but they were never published. In 1823 he purchased Lord Essex's house, 1 Great Stanhope Street, Mayfair. The reform crisis led him to contribute several articles to the 'Quarterly Review' in defence of the tory party, and he is said to have been one of the founders of the Carlton Club. During these years he made extensive tours through Great Britain and the continent in a coach fitted up with a library and other luxuries. In 1833 he went again to India, and in the following year was entrusted with an important mission to China. On his return to Europe he visited Egypt, where at Memphis his wife, Miss Finney of Calcutta, died in 1837. In 1838 having lost a considerable part of his fortune by the failure of his bankers, he moved to 12 Hyde Park Street. In 1844, during the progress of the Bank Charter Act through parliament, he published in support of the doctrines of Mr Tooke a book 'On the Regulation of Currencies, being an examination of the principles on which it is proposed to restrict the future issues on credit of the Bank of England.' It is undoubtedly an able work (for criticism see Economist, 28 Sept. 1844). Fullarton was a fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, and took great interest in art, literature, and the drama. He died on 24 Oct. 1849.
L. C. S.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fuller, Joseph

​FULLER, Sir JOSEPH (d. 1841), general, was appointed ensign Coldstream guards August 1792. He seems to have previously held the same rank in some foot regiment from 29 Sept. 1790, but his name does not appear in the army list. He became lieutenant and captain Coldstream guards 22 Jan. 1794. He was with his regiment at the sieges of Valenciennes and Dunkirk. Afterwards he served as aide-de-camp to Major-general Samuel Hulse in Ireland in 1798, in North Holland in 1799, and at home in the southern district until promoted to captain and lieutenant-colonel 18 June 1801. He accompanied the first battalion of his regiment to Portugal, with the expeditionary force under Major-general J. Coope Sherbrooke in December 1808; commanded a light battalion, formed of the light companies of the guards and some 60th rifles, in the operations on the Douro and advance to Oporto in 1809; and commanded the 1st battalion Coldstream guards at the battle of Talavera. He afterwards served with the regiment at home until promoted to major-general 4 June 1813. He was appointed colonel of the 95th (Derbyshire) foot at its formation in January 1824; was made a knight bachelor 1826, G.C.H. in 1827, was transferred to the colonelcy of the 75th foot 1832, and became general 1838. Fuller was for many years president of the acting committee of the Consolidated Board of General Officers, formed to inspect army clothing, investigate claims for losses, and execute other duties previously performed by separate boards of general officers, a post he ultimately resigned through ill-health.
Fuller married, in 1815, Mary, eldest daughter of General Sir John Floyd, bart., by whom he had a family. He died at his residence in Bryanston Square 16 Oct. 1841, and was buried at Kensal Green.
H. M. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Howie, John

​HOWIE, JOHN (1735–1793), author of 'Scots Worthies,' was born on 14 Nov. 1735 at Lochgoin, about two miles from Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Tradition derives him from one of three brothers Huet, who came from France as persecuted Albigenses in the twelfth century, and settled respectively in the parishes of Mearns and Craigie, and at Lochgoin. Several generations of Howies farmed Lochgoin, and staunch devotion to religious freedom was a family characteristic. Owing to his father's death Howie lived from childhood to early manhood with his maternal grandparents on the farm of Blackshill, Kilmarnock, and attended two country schools.
About 1760 Howie married and became farmer of Lochgoin. The soil of Lochgoin did not demand incessant work, and Howie devoted his leisure to literary pursuits, gradually forming a small library, and collecting antiquarian relics chiefly connected with the covenanters. His miscellaneous collection included specimens of typographical work by Barker, the early newspaper printer, and Captain Paton's sword and bible, besides a flag and a drum, and various manuscripts connected with the covenanting cause. His health had never been robust, and he died on 5 Jan. 1793, and was buried in Fenwick churchyard. His first wife, Jean Lindsay, having borne him a son, died of consumption, and he married again in 1766 his cousin, Janet Howie, by whom he had five sons and three daughters.
Howie's 'Scots Worthies,' first published in 1774, contains short, pithy biographies of Scottish reformers and martyrs from the Reformation to the English Revolution. Though somewhat intolerant, he is throughout severely earnest and candid. He revised and enlarged the work, 1781-5, and this edition was reissued, with notes by W. McGavin, in 1827. In 1870 the Rev. W. H. Carslaw revised Howie's text and published it, with illustrations and notes, and a short biographical introduction; and in 1876 a further illustrated edition appeared, with biographical notice compiled from statements made by Howie's relatives, and an introductory essay by Dr. R. Buchanan. 'A Collection of Lectures and Sermons by Covenanting Clergymen' was issued by Howie in 1779, with a quaint introduction by himself. He edited in 1780 Michael Shields's 'Faithful Contendings Display'd,' an account of the church of Scotland between 1681 and 1691; wrote on the Lord's Supper, patronage, &c., and prefaced and annotated various religious works of ephemeral interest.
[Biographies prefixed to editions of Scots Worthies mentioned in the text; Irving's Eminent Scotsmen.]
T. B.