OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Langdale, Charles

​LANGDALE, CHARLES (1787–1868), Roman catholic layman and biographer of Mrs. Fitzherbert, born in 1787, was the third son of Charles Philip, sixteenth lord Stourton, by a sister of Marmaduke, last lord Langdale, a title which became extinct in 1777. In 1815 he assumed his mother's maiden name instead of Stourton by royal licence, in pursuance of a testamentary injunction of a kinsman, Philip Langdale of Houghton, Yorkshire. He was a Roman catholic, and as young man he appeared on the platform in London at the meetings held by his co-religionists at the Freemasons' tavern and at the Crown and Anchor; and stood side by side with the Howards, the Talbots, the Arundells, the Petres, and the Cliffords, to claim on behalf of English catholics the right of political emancipation. After the passing of the Relief Act he was one of the first English catholics to enter parliament, and he took his seat as member for Beverley at the opening of the parliament of 1833–4. He was not returned to the next parliament, but from 1837 to 1841 he held one of the seats for Knaresborough, near which the property of his father was situated.
Throughout his life he took a leading part in all matters relating to the interests of Roman catholics; and he exerted himself in an especial manner, as chairman of the poor schools committee, to promote the education of poor children belonging to that communion. He died on 1 Dec. 1868 at 5 Queen Street, Mayfair, London, having been admitted on his deathbed a temporal coadjutor of the Society of Jesus (Foley, Records, vii. 433). He was buried at Houghton, the family seat. Dr. Manning, archbishop of Westminster, in a funeral sermon, preached in London, described him as having been for fifty years the foremost man among the Roman catholic laity in England.
He married, first, in 1815, Charlotte Mary, fifth daughter of Charles, seventh lord Clifford of Chudleigh—she died in 1818; secondly, in 1821, Mary, daughter of Marmaduke William Haggerstone Constable-Maxwell of Everingham Park, Yorkshire, and sister of Lord Herries—she died in 1857. His eldest son, Charles, succeeded to the family estate.
As a young man Langdale was intimate with Mrs. Fitzherbert, whom he frequently visited at her house on the Old Steyne at Brighton. With a view to the vindication of her character he published 'Memoirs of Mrs, Fitzherbert; with an Account of her Marriage with H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, afterwards King George the Fourth,' London, 1856, 8vo. He undertook this work at the request of his brother, Lord Stourton, one of the trustees named in Mrs. Fitzherbert's will (the others being the Duke of Wellington and the Earl of Albemarle), in reply to the attack on the lady's character in the 'Memoirs of Lord Holland.' He was prevented by the two surviving trustees from making use of the contents of the sealed box, which had in 1833 been entrusted to their care, but he was enabled to use the narrative drawn up by Lord Stourton and based upon the documents therein contained [see Fitzherbert, Maria Anne].
T. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Langhorne, Daniel

​LANGHORNE, DANIEL (d. 1681), antiquary, a native of London, was admitted of Trinity College, Cambridge, 23 Oct. 1649, became a scholar of that house, and graduated B.A. in 1653-4, and M.A. in 1657. He became curate of Holy Trinity, Ely, and on 17 March 1662 the bishop granted him a license to preach in that church and throughout the diocese (Kennett, Register and Chron. p. 884). He was elected a fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, in 1663, and proceeded to the degree of B.D. in 1664, when he was appointed one of the university preachers. On 3 Sept. 1670 he was instituted to the vicarage of Layston, with the chapel of Alswyk, Hertfordshire, and consequently vacated his fellowship in the following year (Clutterbuck, Hertfordshire, iii. 484). He held his benefice till his death on 10 Aug. 1681 (Baker MSS. xxii, 318).
His works are:
* 'Elenchus Antiquitatum Albionensium, Britannorum, Scotorum, Danorum, Anglosaxonum, etc.; Origines et Gesta usque ad annum 449, quo Angli in Britanniam immigrarunt, explicans,' London, 1673, 8vo, dedicated to William Montacute, attorney-general to Queen Catherine.
* 'Appendix ad Elenchus Antiquitatum Albionensium: Res Saxonum et Suevorum vetustissimas exhibens,' London, 1674, 8vo.
* 'An Introduction to the History of England, comprising the principal affairs of this land from its first planting to the coming of the English Saxons. Together with a Catalogue of British and Pictish Kings,' London, 1676, 8vo.
* 'Chronicon Regum Anglorium, insignia omnia eorum gesta … ab Hengisto Rego primo, usque ad Heptarchiæ finem, chronologicè exhibens,' London, 1679, 8vo, dedicated to Sir Joseph Williamson, secretary of state. A beautifully written manuscript by Langhorne, entitled 'Chronici Regum Anglorum Continuatio, a rege Egberto usque ad annum 1007 deducta,' belonged to Dawson Turner (Cat. of Dawson Turner's MSS. 1859, p. 107).
[Addit. MS. 5875, f. 42; Masters's Hist. of Corpus Christi College. Cambridge, p. 329; Nicolson's English Historical Library.]
T. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Pinney, Charles

​PINNEY, CHARLES (1793–1867), mayor of Bristol, born on 29 April 1793, was son of John Preter (1740–1818), who assumed, on succeeding to the Pinney estates in 1762, the surname and arms of Pinney by royal license. Charles was a merchant and slaveowner, in partnership with E. Case at Bristol, a firm which in 1833 received 3,572l. as compensation for the emancipation of their slaves. On 16 Sept. 1831 Pinney was sworn in mayor of Bristol, and held that office during the riots caused by the rejection of the Reform Bill. These riots commenced on Saturday, 29 Oct. 1831, on the entrance into the city of Sir Charles Wetherell, the recorder, who was very unpopular, owing to the part he had taken in opposing the Reform Bill in the House of Commons, and was immediately mobbed. After taking refuge in the mansion house, he left Bristol during the night. Conflicts between the mob on one side and special constables and soldiers on the other continued through the evening, and thrice the ​mayor read the Riot Act. The next day, Sunday, the rioters reassembled, and the mayor's life was in danger. The mob burnt and destroyed the mansion house, the bishop's palace, the custom-house, the excise office, the gaol, and two sides of Queen's Square. Finally the military, until then in a state of indecision, charged and fired on the people. About sixteen persons were killed, or perished in the flames, and one hundred were wounded or injured. Those rioters who were captured were tried by a special commission in Bristol in January 1832, when four of them were executed and twenty-two transported [see for the conduct of the troops, Brereton, Thomas, 1782–1832].
On 25 Oct. 1832 Pinney was put on his trial in the court of king's bench, charged with neglect of duty in his office as mayor of Bristol during the riots. After a trial lasting seven days the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, asserting that Pinney ‘acted according to the best of his judgment, with zeal and personal courage.’ In 1836 he was chosen one of the first aldermen in the reformed corporation. He died at Camp House, Clifton, on 17 July 1867.
He married, on 7 March 1830, Frances Mary, fourth daughter of John Still of Knoyle, Wiltshire, and had issue Frederick Wake Preter Pinney of the Grange, Somerton; John Charles Pinney, vicar of Coleshill, Warwickshire; and a daughter.
G. C. B.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Pirie, Alexander

​PIRIE, ALEXANDER (1737–1804), Scottish divine, was born in 1737. About 1760 he was appointed teacher in philosophy in the divinity school at Abernethy, and, in the course of his lectures, recommended for the study of his pupils parts of Lord Kames's ‘Essays on the Principles of Morality and ​Natural Religion.’ For this he was suspended and excommunicated by the synod in 1763, and an appointment which he had to preach in North America was withdrawn. Upon this, a portion of the Abernethy congregation gave its allegiance to him, and he left the anti-burgher portion of the secession church, and joined the burghers. Within a few years he was again charged with heresy, and, after an appeal from the presbytery to the synod, was suspended in 1768. In the following year he left the secession church and joined the independents, his first charge being at Blair-Logie. From this he removed to Newburgh, Fifeshire, where he died on 23 Nov. 1804.
A cultured man, and one of exceptionally liberal religious views for his time, Pirie was described as ‘capable of producing something more useful and permanent than any of his works are likely to be’ (Orme, Bibl. Biblica, p. 351).
His works are: 1. ‘The Procedure of the Associated Synod in Mr. Pirie's Case,’ Edinburgh, 1764; a defence of himself after his first trial for heresy. 2. ‘A Review of the Principles and Conduct of the Seceders, with Reasons of the Author's Separation from the Burghers in Particular,’ Edinburgh, 1769. 3. ‘Sermons on some Leading Doctrines in the Christian System,’ Edinburgh, 1775. 4. ‘Psalms or Hymns founded on some important passages of Scripture,’ Edinburgh, 1777; from this collection two familiar hymns have survived, ‘Come, let us join in songs of praise,’ and ‘With Mary's love without her fear.’ 5. ‘Critical and Practical Observations on Scripture Texts,’ Perth, 1785. 6. ‘Dissertation on Baptism,’ Perth, 1786. 7. ‘An Attempt to expose the Weakness, Fallacy, and Absurdity of Unitarian Arguments,’ Perth, 1792. 8. ‘The French Revolution exhibited in the Light of Sacred Oracles,’ Perth, 1795. 9. ‘Dissertation on the Hebrew Roots,’ published in Edinburgh after his death, 1807. ‘The Miscellaneous and Posthumous Works of Alexander Pirie,’ in six volumes, were published in Edinburgh in 1805, and went through two editions.
[Scots Mag. 1763 p. 525, 1804 p. 974; McKerrow's History of the Secession Church, p. 289; Julian's Dictionary of Hymnology, p. 896.]
J. R. M.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Pirrie, William

​PIRRIE, WILLIAM (1807–1882), surgeon, the son of George Pirrie, a farmer, was born near Huntly, Aberdeenshire, in 1807. He was educated at Gartly parish school; at Marischal College and University, Aberdeen, where he graduated M.A. in 1825; at the university of Edinburgh, where he graduated M.D. in 1829; and in Paris, where he studied surgery under Baron Dupuytren. Returning to Aberdeen in 1830, he was appointed lecturer on anatomy and physiology in the joint medical schools of King's and Marischal colleges. On the separation of the schools in 1839 he became the first regius professor of surgery in Marischal College; and when they were again united in 1860 he continued to teach as professor of surgery in the university of Aberdeen. In 1875 the university of Edinburgh conferred on him the honorary degree of LL.D. He resigned his chair in the summer of 1882, and died on 21 Nov. in the same year.
Holding office for fifty-two years, Pirrie was well known to three generations of Aberdeen medical students, his portly figure and somewhat assertive manner, together with his fondness for recalling his Parisian experiences under Dupuytren, gaining for him the sobriquet of ‘The Baron.’ His lectures were essentially demonstrative, and he possessed in a high degree the faculty of inspiring enthusiasm in his audience. To him and to his colleague in the chair of anatomy, Dr. John Struthers, is due the credit of establishing the reputation of the Aberdeen medical school, which had never been so largely attended as at his death. At his solicitation his old schoolfellow and steadfast friend through life, Sir Erasmus Wilson, founded a chair of pathology in the university.
An intrepid and successful operator, he was during the latter half of his public career recognised as the foremost surgeon in the north of Scotland. He published, in addition to numerous contributions to the medical press, a treatise on ‘The Principles and Practice of Surgery,’ 1852, which passed through several editions, and long held its ground as a textbook; and, with Dr. William Keith, a work ‘Acupressure, an excellent Method of arresting Surgical Hæmorrhage and of accelerating the Healing of Wounds,’ 1867.
P. J. A.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Morier, William

​MORIER, WILLIAM (1790–1864), admiral, fourth son of Isaac Morier [q. v.] , consul-general at Constantinople, was born at Smyrna 25 Sept. 1790. He spent two years at Harrow School, entered the navy in November 1803 as first-class volunteer, on board the Illustrious, 74, and became midshipman on the Ambuscade, with which he saw much service in the Mediterranean. From 1807 to 1810 he was employed on the Mediterranean and Lisbon stations, and became acting lieutenant of the Zealous, 74, and took part in the defence of Cadiz. In 1811, on H.M.S. Thames, 32, he contributed to the reduction of the island of Ponza, and displayed characteristic zeal in the destruction of ten armed feluccas on the beach near Cetraro; and other boat engagements on the Calabrian coast. He was also present at the bombardment of Stonington, in 1813, in the American war, and commanded the Harrier and Childers sloops successively on the North Sea station in 1828. Becoming post-captain in January 1830, he retired, attaining the rank of retired rear-admiral in 1855 and vice-admiral 1862. In 1841 he married Fanny, daughter of D. Bevan of Belmont, Hertfordshire. He died at Eastbourne 29 July 1864.
[Navy List; private information.]
S. L-P.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Morison, Douglas

​MORISON, DOUGLAS (1814–1847), painter, born at Tottenham in Middlesex on 22 Aug. 1814, was the son of Dr. Richard Morison of Datchet, near Windsor. He studied drawing under Frederick Tayler [q. v.], and practised chiefly in water colours. His works were principally of an architectural nature, but he painted several views in Scotland. He was elected an associate of the Royal Institute or New Society of Painters in Watercolours in 1836, but resigned in 1838. On 12 Feb. 1844 he was elected an associate of the Royal (or 'Old') Society of Painters in Water-colours. He also practised in lithography, published some illustrations of 'The Eglinton Tournament,' in 1842 a set of views in lithography of 'Haddon Hall,' and in 1846 lithographic ' Views of the Ducal Palaces of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha,' from sketches made on the spot, with notes and suggestions from the prince consort. He made some sketches for the queen at Windsor Castle, and he received several medals in recognition of his art. Morison died at his residence at Datchet on 12 Feb. 1847. He exhibited occasionally at the Royal Academy from 1836 to 1841. His sister Letitia was the wife of Percival Leigh [q. v.]
[Roget's Hist. of the 'Old Water-Colour' Soc. ; Graves's Diet, of Artists, 1760-1880; information from Mrs. Dixon Kemp and F. J. Furnivall, esq.]
L. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Morison, James (1762-1809)

​MORISON, JAMES (1762–1809), theologian, born at Perth on 13 Dec. 1762, was son of a bookseller and postmaster there. He likewise became a bookseller, first at Leith and afterwards at Perth. In religion he was for some time a member of the Society of Glassites, from whom he seceded and founded a distinct sect, of which he became the minister. He frequently preached and lectured, much to the neglect of his business. His oratorical gifts are said to have been considerable. He died at Perth on 20 Feb. 1809. On 13 Dec. 1778 he married a daughter (d. 1789) of Thomas Mitchel, writer, of Perth, and on 20 Dec. 1790 he married again. He left a large family.
Of Morison's writings may be mentioned: 1. 'New Theological Dictionary,' 8vo, Edinburgh, 1807. 2. 'An Introductory Key to the first four Books of Moses, being an Attempt to analyse these Books . . . and . . . to shew that the great Design of the Things recorded therein was the Sufferings of Christ and the following Glory,' 8vo, Perth, 1810, which had been previously circulated in numbers. He also published some controversial pamphlets and an appendix to Bishop Newton's 'Dissertations on the Prophecies,' 1795.
[Gent. Mag. 1809, pt. i. p. 379.]
G. G.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Morison, Alexander

​MORISON, Sir ALEXANDER, M.D. (1779–1866), physician, was born 1 May 1779 at Anchorfield, near Edinburgh, and was educated at the high school and university of Edinburgh, where he graduated M.D. 12 Sept. 1799. His graduation thesis was 'De Hydrocephalo Phrenitico,' and he continued throughout life to take special interest in cerebral and mental diseases. He became a licentiate of the Edinburgh College of Physicians in 1800 and a fellow in 1801. He practised in Edinburgh for a time, but in 1808 removed to London, and on 11 April was admitted a licentiate of the College of Physicians of London, and 10 July 1841 was elected a fellow. He was made inspecting physician of lunatic asylums in Surrey in 1810, and 7 May 1835 physician to Bethlehem Hospital. He used to give an annual course of lectures on mental diseases, and became a recognised authority on the subject. He was physician to the Princess Charlotte, and in 1838 he was knighted. He published in 1826 'Outlines of Lectures on Mental Diseases,' in 1828 'Cases of Mental Disease, with Practical Observations on the Medical Treatment,' and in 1840 ' The Physiognomy of Mental Diseases.' His remarks in these works are brief, but are illustrated by a large series of interesting portraits of lunatics, among which is a striking one of Jonathan Martin [q. v.], the man who set fire to York Minster. Morison died in Scotland, 14 March 1866, and was buried at Currie.
[Works; Munk's Coll. of Phys. iii. 61.]
N. M.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Morison, James (1770-1840)

​MORISON, JAMES (1770–1840), self styled 'the Hygeist,' born at Bognie, Aberdeenshire, in 1770, was youngest son of Alexander Morison. After studying at Aberdeen University and Hanau in Germany, he established himself at Riga as a merchant, and subsequently in the West Indies, where he acquired property. Ill-health obliged him to return to Europe, and about 1814 he settled at Bordeaux. After 'thirty-five years' inexpressible suffering' and the trial of every imaginable course of medical treatment, he accomplished 'his own extraordinary cure' about 1822 by the simple expedient of swallowing a few vegetable pills of his own compounding at bed-time and a glass of lemonade in the morning. His success induced him to set up in 1825 as the vendor of what he called the 'vegetable universal medicines,' commonly known as 'Morison's Pills,' the principal ingredient of which is said to be gamboge. His medicines soon became highly popular, especially in the west of England, and in 1828 he formed an establishment for their sale in Hamilton Place, New Road, London, which he dignified with the title of 'The British College of Health.' He bought a pleasant residence at Finchley, Middlesex, called Strawberry Vale Farm, but latterly he lived at Paris, and it is said that the profits from the sale of his medicines in France alone were sufficient to cover his expenditure there. From 1830 to 1840 he paid 60,000l. to the English government for medicine stamps.
Morison died at Paris on 3 May 1840. He married twice, and left four sons and several daughters. The only surviving child of his second marriage (with Clara, only daughter of Captain Cotter, R.N.) was James Augustus Cotter Morison, who is separately noticed.
Morison's writings are simply puffs of his medicines. Among them may be ​mentioned: 1. 'Some important Advice to the World' (with supplement entitled 'More New Truths'), 2 pts. 12mo, London, 1825. 2. 'A Letter to … the United East India Company, proposing a … Remedy for … the Cholera Morbus of India,' 8vo, London, 1825. 3. 'The Hygeian Treatment of the … Diseases of India,' 8vo, London, 1836. His essays were collected together in a volume called 'Morisoniana, or Family Adviser of the British College of Health,' 2nd edit. 8vo, London, 1829 (3rd edit. 1831), which was translated into several European languages. Prefixed to the volume is a portrait of the author from a picture by Clint.
In Robert Wilkie's farce of the 'Yalla Gaiters' (1840) the hero is fascinated by the vocal powers of a countryman who is singing a cleverly written ballad in praise of Morison's 'Vegetable Pills;' the verses are printed in 'Notes and Queries,' 3rd ser. x. 477-8. Carlyle, in his 'Past and Present,' frequently made scornful reference to 'Morison's Pills.'
[Biog. Sketch of Mr. Morison (with portrait); Gent. Mag. 1840, pt. ii. p. 437.]
G. G.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Morison, John (1750-1798)

​MORISON, JOHN (1750–1798), Scottish divine and poet, was born at Cairnie, Aberdeenshire, in June 1750. Educated at King's College, Aberdeen, he spent some years as a private tutor, first at Dunuet, Caithnessshire, and afterwards at Banniskirk. Graduating M.A. in 1771, he was schoolmaster at Thurso about 1773, subsequently went to Edinburgh for further study, and in September 1780 was appointed minister of Canisbay, Caithness-shire, the most northerly church on the mainland. In 1792 he received the degree of D.D. from Edinburgh University. He died, after many years' seclusion, at Canisbay, 12 June 1798.
Morison's claim to remembrance rests on his contributions to the final edition of the 'Scottish Paraphrases,' 1781. When the collection was in preparation, he submitted twenty-four pieces to the committee, of which he was himself a member, but only seven (Nos. 19, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 35) were accepted, and some of these were slightly altered, probably by his friend John Logan [q. v.] Most of the seven became 'household words' in the presbyterian churches, and one or two are freely used as hymns by other denominations. The thirty-fifth,' 'Twas on that night when doom'd to know,' has long been the Scottish communion hymn, but it appears to be founded partly on Watts's' 'Twas on that dark, that doleful night,' and partly on a Latin hymn by Andreas Ellinger (cf. Private Prayers cited below; Maclagan, p. 107; Bonar, Notes). From 1771 to 1775 Morison contributed verses, under the signature of 'Musæus,' to Ruddiman's 'Edinburgh Weekly Magazine,' but these are of no particular ​merit. He wrote the account of the parish of Canisbay for Sinclair's 'Statistical Account,' and collected the topographical history of Caithness for Chalmers's 'Caledonia.' A translation of Herodian's 'History ' from the Greek remained in manuscript. He was an accomplished classical scholar and an able preacher.
[Scott's Fasti Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ, iii. 359; Calder's History of Caithness; Maclagan's History of the Scottish Paraphrases; Julian's Dictionary of Hymnology; Burns's Memoir of Dr. Macgill; Bonar's Notes in Free Church Hymnal; Free Church Magazine, May 1847; Life and Work Magazine, January 1888; Private Prayers put forth by Authority during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth (Parker Soc.), p. 405; Cairnie parish register.]
J. C. H.