OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ellis, Robert (1820?-1885)

​ELLIS, ROBERT (1820?–1885), classical scholar, was admitted a member of St. John's College, Cambridge, 9 April 1836, elected a scholar 5 Nov. 1839, and graduated B.A. as fifth wrangler in 1840, obtaining a fellowship 20 March 1841 (College Register of Admissions). He took his M.A. degree in 1843, and was ordained two years later. In 1850 he commenced B.D. He vacated his fellowship by his marriage, 2 April 1872, at Meolbrace, near Shrewsbury, to Jane, daughter of Francis France of Nobold, Shropshire (Eddowes's Shrewsbury Journal, 10 April 1872). He died, 20 Dec. 1885, at 3 Higher Summerlands, Exeter, aged 65(Times,23 Dec. 1885). He is chiefly known by his sharp controversy with William John Law [q, v.], which ranged from 1854 to 1885, on the route followed by Hannibal in his passage of the Alps. Ellis had investigated the subject during excursions in the Alps in July 1852 and in April and May 1853. His works are as follows: 1. 'A Treatise on Hannibal's Passage of the Alps, in which his route is traced over the Little Mount Cenis,' 8vo, Cambridge [printed], London, 1853. On this subject he wrote besides two elaborate dissertations in December 1855 and in March 1856 in 'The Journal of Classical and Sacred Philology' (ii, 308-29, iii. 1-34), which are entitles 'Observations on Mr. Law's "Criticism of Mr. Ellis's new Theory concerning ​the Route of Hannibal."'
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ellis, John (1710?-1776)

​ELLIS, JOHN (1710?–1776), naturalist, whom Linnæus termed a 'bright star of natural history' and 'the main support of natural history in England,' was born in Ireland about 1710. This is admitted by Sir J. E. Smith (Linnæan Correspondence, i. 79), in correction of his previous statement in Rees's 'Encyclopædia' that Ellis was a native of London. Ellis was in business as a merchant in London, with, it is stated, but little success, until in 1764 he obtained the appointment of agent for West Florida, to which was added in 1770 the agency for Dominica. This brought him many correspondents, and he used his opportunities to import various American seeds. In 1754 he became a fellow of the Royal Society, and in the following year established his reputation as one of the most acute observers of his time by the publication of 'An Essay towards the Natural History of the Corallines,' London, ​4to. This work was translated into French in the following year; and though his views were opposed by Dr. Job Baster and but imperfectly comprehended by Linnæus, he established by it the animal nature of this group of organisms. In 1768 the Copley medal of the Royal Society was awarded to Ellis for these researches. In 1770 he published 'Directions for bringing over Seeds and Plants from the East Indies. … To which is added the figure and description of a new sensitive plant called Dionæa muscipula,' in which he accurately describes the mechanism of what we now know to be an insectivorous plant. In the fifty-first volume of the 'Philosophical Transactions' he described the new genera Halesia and Gardenia, and in the sixtieth volume the genus Gordonia, on which a letter to Linnæus was published, with one to Aiton on a new species of Illicium in 1771. These were followed in 1774 and 1775 by descriptions of the coffee-tree, the mangostan, and the breadfruit, all alike marked by that thoroughness from which it has happened that none of his genera have been superseded. This fate, however, having befallen one dedicated to him by Dr. Patrick Browne, Linnæus named a group of boraginaceous plants Ellisia in his honour. Various papers by him in the 'Philosophical Transactions' are supplementary to his 'Natural History of Corallines,' his first collection of which animals was placed in the British Museum; but much matter which he had collected was published by his friend Solander after his death as 'The Natural History of many uncommon Zoophytes collected by John Ellis, arranged and described by D.C. Solander,' London, 1786. Ellis died in London, 15 Oct. 1776, leaving a daughter, Martha, afterwards Mrs. Alexander Watt, by whom her father's correspondence was entrusted to Sir J. E. Smith.
[Rees; Linnæan Correspondence, i. 79; Nichols's Lit. Anecd. ix. 531; London's Arboretum Britannicum, p. 70.]
G. S. B.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ellis, Robert (1810-1875)

​ELLIS, ROBERT (Cynddelw) (1810–1875), baptist minister and Welsh poet, was born on 3 Feb. 1810, in Ty'n-y-meini, in the parish of Llarhaindr yn Mochnant, Denbeighshire. He went to school for two months to Llanwyddelen and for one month to Llnnarmon. His only other education was at the Sunday school. When he had grown up to manhood, and had begun preaching, be went for some months to one John Williams of Llansilin, whose biography he afterwards wrote. Here he read, among other things, Watts 'On the Mind' and 'On Logic' The teacher's remarks and questions on these works stimulated Ellis's mind. His thirst for knowledge was henceforth insatiable. He read everything that came in his way, and his library became ultimately perhaps one of the largest and most valuable private libraries in the Principality. He had no fear of reputed heretics. In the words of his biographer, 'the names of Stuart Mill, Huxley, Matthew Arnold, &c., were no terror to him; but he ventured out with them, listened to them, weighed them, and formed his own opinion of them.' On 5 Oct. 1854 he began preaching', and in May 1837 he settled as minister of Llanelian and Llanddulas; in 1838 we find him in Glynceiriog, Denbighshire; in Sirhowy, Monmouthshire, 1847; and in Carnarvon, 1862-75. Ellis died on 20 Aug. 1875, while on a preaching tour, at his brother-in-law's house at Gartheryr. As a preacher he is said to have been learned rather than popular, though as a public lecturer he was both popular and learned, Iolo Morganwg, Carnhuanawe, and Thomas Stephens may have gone deeper into antiquarian subjects, but Ellis showed more skill in popularising them. The subjects of some of these lectures were ancient Welsh wisdom, Welsh proverbs, Welsh laws, &c.
His published works are:
* . 'Lectures on Baptism,' 1841.
* 'An Ode (Awdl) on the Resurrection,' 1849; 2nd edition, 1852.
* 'Tafol y Beirdd, an Essay on Welsh Prosody,' 1852.
* 'The Principles of Biblical Exogisia,' 1854.
* 'Exposition of the Bible,' which began to appear in parts in June 1855, and was still going on when he died.
* 'An Elegy (Awdl Farwnod) on Gwrwst,' 1856.
* 'Memoir of Dr. Ellis Evans,' 1864.
* 'Geiriadur Cymrneg Cyrareig,' 1868.
* 'Memoir of John Williams,' 1871.
* Portions of 'Hanes y Brytaniaid a'r Cymry' (Mackenzie), 1870-1.
* 'Catecism y Bedyddwyr, Holwyddoreg ar Fywyd Crist, Manion Hynafiaethol, Awdl ar Ddyetawrwydd,' 1873.
Second edition of Rees Jones's 'Gorchestion Beirdd Cymru,' first published in 1773, with extensive and valuable notes (date of preface, 1861); 2nd edition of Dr. W. O. Pughe's 'Dafydd ab Gwilym,' with a valuable introduction; his last published work was on the Atonement. Besides these he wrote largely for the periodical literature of the day, some of his best articles being found in the 'Traethodydd,' 'Geiriadur Beiblaidda Duwinyddol Mathetes,' 'Gwyddoniadur,' 'Geirlyfr Bywgraffiadol Foulkes,' &c.
His poetical works, published in 1877, were edited by Ioan Arion, and bound with them was his biography prepared for the Wrexham Eisteddfod by the Rev. J. Spinther James.
[James's Biography, as above.]
R. J. J.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ellis, Thomas

​ELLIS, THOMAS (1625–1673), Welsh antiquary, the son of Griffith Ellis of Dolbemaen, Carnarvonshire, was born at that place in 1625. At the age of fifteen he was entered at Jesus College, Oxford, and took the B.A. degree in 1644. In the same year he is stated by Wood to have borne arms for the king in the garrison at Oxford. A letter containing 'The exact and full Relation of the last Fight between the King's forces and Sir William Waller,' which describes the battle at Cropredy Bridge and is signed Thomas Ellis, was published in July of this year; but the writer belonged to the parliamentary army. Ellis proceeded to the M.A. degree on 23 Jan. 1646, and was elected a fellow of his college, where he continued to reside as a tutor. On the resignation of Dr. F. Mansell he confidently expected to succeed him as principal of Jesus, but, being disappointed in this hope, he threw up his tutorial work, and, though still remaining at Oxford, lived in retirement. In 1665 Ellis, who had taken the B.D. degree on 17 Oct. 1661, became rector of St. Mary's, Dolgelly, Merionethshire, succeeding his kinsman, Dr. John Ellis. While still at Oxford he had devoted himself largely to the study of Welsh antiquity, and had made himself a recognised authority on the subject. At the request of Robert Vaughan, who purposed publishing a revised and enlarged edition of Powell's 'History of Cambria,' but who was unable to find time for the work, Ellis undertook to carry it on, incorporating his own notes with Vaughan's additions and corrections. One hundred and twenty-eight sheets of the book had been printed by Hall of Oxford, when Ellis refused to proceed, alleging that all the materials with which he had been supplied by Vaughan had been already utilised by Percie Enderbie in his 'Cambria Triumphans.' As the latter work was published in 1661 and the sheets of Ellis's book are dated 1663, it is curious that he did not make the discovery earlier. Persisting in the belief that he had been anticipated in his researches, Ellis published nothing further. In 1775, however, there was issued, together with a 'History of the Island of Anglesey' by H. Rowlands, 'Memoirs of Owen Glendowr, being a well-compiled History of the Transactions during the whole war, originally written by Mr. Thomas Ellis, and now faithfully copied out of a manuscript in the Library of Jesus College.' Ellis died in the spring of 1673 at his birthplace, Dolbemaen, and was there buried.
A. V.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ellis, Thomas Flower

​ELLIS, THOMAS FLOWER (1796–1861), law reporter, born in 1796, was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1818, and was elected a fellow. He was a brilliant scholar, though only a senior optime in the mathematical tripos. He became a member of Lincoln's ​Inn, and was called to the bar in February 1824, and for some years went the northern circuit. Here he first became acquainted with Macaulay, whose intimate friend he ever afterwards remained. So attached were they, that when Macaulay went to India, Ellis wrote to him that, 'next to his wife, he was the person for whom he felt the most thorough attachment, and in whom he placed the most unlimited confidence.' In later life they visited the continent together every autumn, and he was an executor of Macaulay's will. After his friend died the light seemed to have gone out of Ellis's life, but he occupied himself in preparing for publication the posthumous collection of Macaulay's essays, in 1831 he was a commissioner under the Reform Bill to determine the boundaries of parliamentary boroughs in Wales. In early life he enjoyed a considerable practice. He was till his death attorney-general for the Duchy of Lancaster, and had 'Palatine silk;' and in 1839 he succeeded Armstrong as recorder of Leeds. He was, about 1830, a contributor to the 'Edinburgh Review,' was a member of the Useful Knowledge Society, and revised several of its publications. He is best known as part author of three excellent series of law reports: 'Adolphus and Ellis,' 1835-42; 'Ellis and Blackburn,' 1853-8; and 'Ellis and Ellis,' published after his death. He died at his house, 15 Bedford Place, Russell Square, 5 April 1861. His wife died in March 1839; and he had two children, Francis and Marian.
J. A. H.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ellis, Samuel Burdon

​ELLIS, Sir SAMUEL BURDON (1787–1865), general, son of Captain Charles Ellis, R.N., entered the royal marine light infantry as a second lieutenant on 1 Jan. 1804. He was at once sent on board ship, and, after first seeing service in Sir Robert Calder's action off Cape Finisterre, was present at the battle of Trafalgar, and was promoted lieutenant in 1806. He was present in the Walcheren expedition in 1809 and in the capture of Guadeloupe in 1810, and being on board the Nymphe was employed off the coast, first of Spain and then of southern France during the latter years of the Peninsular war. He specially distinguished himself in the operations which the navy took in helping to form the siege of Bayonne, after ​Wellington's victory of the Nive and Soult's retreat on Toulouse. His ship was then ordered to the North American coast, where she captured the American frigate the President after a fierce fight, during which Ellis particularly distinguished himself, being the first man to board the enemy. On the conclusion of peace Ellis had no further opportunity to see service, and it was not until 15 Nov. 1826, when he had been more than twenty years in the marines, that he was promoted captain. It was not until many more years had passed, during which Ellis was employed in many different ships, that he again saw service in the capture of Fort Manora, which commands the entrance to the harbour of Kurrachee in Scinde, in 1839. He next commanded the marines employed in the Persian Gulf, and was mentioned in despatches for his services in bringing off the political resident at Bushire during a riot there, and saving his life. When the Chinese war broke out in 1840 he had the good fortune to be employed on the China station, and for his services in command of a battalion of marines at the capture of Chusan on 5 July 1840, and at the battle of Chuenpee on 7 Jan. 1841, he was promoted major by brevet on 6 May 1841. Before the news of his promotion reached him he had still further distinguished himself with his marines in the bombardment of the Bogue forts; he commanded the advance on Canton, and the services of his men were so great at the storming of the Canton forts on 26 May 1841, that he was promoted lieutenant-colonel by brevet, antedated to that day, and made a C.B. He then commanded a battalion of marines at Ningpo and Chusan until the conclusion of the war, when he returned to England. He was promoted colonel on 3 Nov. 1851, and commanded the Chatham division of the royal marines until he became major-general on 20 June 1855. He was promoted lieutenant-general in 1867, made a K.C.B. in 1860, promoted general in 1862, and died at Old Charlton on 10 March 1860, after having been for more than sixty years an officer of marines, at the age of seventy-eight.
H. M. S.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ellis, Welbore (1651?-1734)

​ELLIS, WELBORE (1651?–1734), bishop of Meath and a privy councillor in Ireland, descended from an ancient family at Kiddall Hall, Yorkshire, was the fourth son of the Rev. John Ellis (1606?–1681) [q. v.], rector of Waddesdon, and author of ‘Vindiciæ Catholicæ.’ His brothers John and William are separately noticed. He was educated at Westminster School and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. in 1684, M.A. 1687, and B.D. and D.D. by diploma 1697. He likewise received in 1732 the ad eundem degree of D.D. from Trinity College, Dublin. His three brothers, Sir William (1642?–1730), John (1645–1738), and Philip (1653–1726), are separately noticed. Welbore Ellis became a prebendary of Winchester in 1696. He was promoted in 1705, by patent dated 22 Sept., to the bishopric of Kildare, with the deanery of Christ Church, Dublin, in commendam, and was translated, 13 March 1731, to the premier bishopric of Meath, with a seat in the Irish privy council. He married Diana, daughter of Sir John Briscoe, knt., of Boughton, Northamptonshire, and Amberley Castle, Sussex, and had, with other issue, Welbore, afterwards Lord Mendip [q. v.]. He died on 1 Jan. 1733–4, and was buried with great ceremony in the cathedral of Christ Church, Dublin, where a monument was ‘erected by his only surviving son, the Right Hon. Welbore Ellis.’ The funeral procession included the boys of the Bluecoat Hospital, to which he had bequeathed 100l. (Cooper MS., quoted by Bishop Mant). A portrait of Ellis is preserved in the hall of Christ Church, Oxford. His publications are: 1. ‘The Dean of Dublin, Plaintiff, Archbishop of Dublin, Defendant, upon a Writ of Error—the Defendant's Case,’ London, 1724. 2. ‘The Lord Bishop of Kildare, Dean of the Church of the Holy Trinity of Dublin, Plaintiff in Error. The Lord Archbishop of Dublin Defendant in Error. The Plaintiff in Error's Case,’ London, 1724.
B. H. B.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Lacy, Maurice

​LACY or DE LACY, MAURICE (1740–1820), of Grodno, Russian general, belonged to a branch of the family of Peter, count Lacy [q. v.] He was born apparently at Limerick during the 'great frost' of 1739-40 (see Lenihan, p. 332), and is described (Printed Sketch-Pedigree) as son of Patrick de Lacy (d. 1790) by Lady Mary Herbert of Templeagletan and grandson of 'old Patrick Lacy' of Kathcahill, who died in 1741. Maurice, who was said to have been brought up in an Irish convent, obtained a commission in the Russian army, in which he fought against the Turks, and attained general's rank, with which he revisited Ireland in 1792-3. He went back to Russia, and held command under Marshal Suwarrow in the campaigns against the French in Switzerland and Italy. Sir Henry Edward Bunbury [q.v.], who was quatermaster-general of the small British force sent to Naples under Sir James Henry Craig [q. v.] in 1805, speaking of an auxiliary force of fourteen thousand Russians and two thousand wild Montenegrins sent thither from the Greek islands, under the Russian general, D'Anrep, observes that D'Anrep was subordinate to old General Lacy, who was residing at Naples under the pretence of ill-health, but prepared by his sovereign's order to take the chief command when the time should come to put the troops in movement. He had been a brave and meritorious officer, 'but showed no traces of ever having been a man of talent or information.' Bunbury, who is wrong on some points, add: 'He spoke English with the strongest brogue I ever heard, and with peculiarities that I have never met with, except in the Teagues of our old comedies.' He used to bring his nightcap in his pocket when he attended a council of war, and put it on and go to sleep while others discussed the business. 'But the old gentleman was simple and kind-hearted, and, in his own words, "always for fighting" (Bunbury, pp. 191-2). Lacy played no prominent part in later campaigns. He was governor of Grodno, where he possessed estates. Lacy and his sister, Mrs. Johanna O'Brien, who died before him, outlived all their numerous brothers and sisters. His nephew, Maurice Pierre, entered the Russian service and died before Adrianople during the war of 1827-9 (see United Service Magazine, November 1844). Lacy, who is described (Printed Sketch-Pedigree) as 'the last lineal descendant of the great Hugh de Lacy,' died unmarried at Grodno, Russia, in January 1820.
H. M. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Lacy, John William

William Lacy in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
​LACY, JOHN WILLIAM or WILLIAM (1788–1871), singer, born in 1788, was about 1795 a pupil, at Bath, of Venanzio Rauzzini (1747–1810). Some three years later he appeared at various concerts in London, but ​being dissatisfied with his own powers, he went to Italy for further study; there he 'entirely mastered both the language and style of singing of the natives.' Returning to England soon after 1800, he sand repeatedly at the Lenten Oratorio and other important concerts, but owing to weak health he never succeeded in taking the prominent position among contemporary vocalists for which his natural ability and great talent qualified him. In 1812 Lacy married Jane (1776-1858), the widow of Francesco Bianchi (1752-1810), an Italian opera composer, and teacher of Sir Henry Bishop. She was the daughter of an apothecary named John Jackson in Sloane Street, Chelsea, and married Bianchi in 1800. Like Lacy, she was a singer of repute, making her first appearance in London on 25 April 1798, and singing as Miss Jackson at the Concerts of Antient Music in 1800. While Mrs. Bianchi she often sand at Windsor in the presence of George III and Queen Charlotte, and was considered one of the finest singers of Handel's music. She was a good linguist, pianoforte-player, and painter. With Lacy she took part in the concerts of Billington, Naldi, and Braham at Willis's Rooms on 1 March 1809 (Parke, Musical Memoirs, ii. 35), and at the Vocal Concerts, Hanover Square Rooms, 2 March 1810 (ib. p.49). In 1818 the Lacys accepted an engagement at Calcutta, where they remained seven years, giving frequent performances at the court of the king of Oude. After returning to England about 1826 they retired into private life. For some years they resided at Florence and other continental cities, but eventually settled in England. Lacy died while on a visit to Devonshire about 1865. His wife died at Ealing 19 March 1858.
Lacy possessed a bass voice of great excellence. So highly was he esteemed by the Italians that he was offered lucrative engagements at the Operas of Milan and Florence, and later at the King's Theatre in London (Quart. Mus. Mag. and Rev. i. 338 n.). He was 'considered by competent judges to be without question the most legitimate English bass singer, the most accomplished in various styles, and altogether the most perfect and finished that has appeared in this country. He was endowed by nature with organs of great strength and delicacy; his voice was rich and full-toned, particularly in the lower notes; his intonation perfect, and his finish and variety in graces remarkable' (Dict. of Music, 1824, ii. 33).
[Authorities given above; Grove's Dict. of Music; Brown's Dict. of Music; Quarterly Musical Magazine and Review, i. 333 sq. (1818); private information.]
R. H. L.