OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Howel ab Owain Gwynedd

​HOWEL ab Owain Gwynedd (d. 1171?), warrior and poet, was the son of Owain ab Gruffydd ab Cynan, prince of North Wales. Pyvog, the daughter of an Irish noble, was his mother. 'Brut Ieuan Brechfa' (Myv. Arch. ii. 720) wrongly states that Owain married her in 1130. In 1143, taking advantage of a quarrel between his father and his uncle Cadwaladr (d. 1172) [q. v.], Howel seized some part of Ceredigion, and burnt his uncle's castle of Aberystwith. In the following year, in the course of a quarrel with Sir Hugh de Mortimer, Howel and his brother Cynan ravaged Aberteifi or Cardigan. In 1145, in conjunction with Cadell, son of Gruffydd ab Rhys [q. v.], prince of South Wales, he took Carmarthen Castle. In the next year, however, Howel apparently changed sides, and joined his forces to those of the Normans against the sons of Gruffydd, who had marched against the castle of Gwys. Both sides invited his aid; but the promise of 'much property' seems to have turned the scale in favour of the Norman alliance, and Howel's intervention insured the success of his allies (Brut y Tywysogion,RollsSer. p. 172,MS.D.; cf. also another account on the same page). In the same year he and his brother Cynan were engaged in a quarrel with Cadwaladr. The brothers called out the men of Meirionydd, 'who had taken refuge in churches,' marched thence and took the castle of Cynvael (ib. p. 174). In 1150 Howel suffered a series of reverses. The sons of Gruffydd ab Rhys took his portion of Ceredigion except the castle of Pengwern, and in 1152 that also fell into their hands. In 1157 Henry II made an effort to subjugate Gwynedd, and at the battle of Basingwerk was defeated by Owain and his sons, among whom was Howel (Ann. Cambr.p. 46,Rolls Ser., which gives the date as 1148; cf.Gir. Cambr.It. Cambr.vi.137,Rolls Ser.) In 1158 Howel was engaged with a mixed force of French, Normans, Flemings, English, and Welsh against Lord Rhys ab Gruffydd, who had burnt the castles of Dyved. The expedition, however, did not succeed, and a truce followed.
Howel's father died in 1169. According to the version of 'Brut y Tywysogion,' printed in the 'Myvyrian Archæology,' Howel, as Owain's eldest son, thereupon seized the government and kept possession of it for two years. During his absence in Ireland, looking after certain property which came to him in right of his mother and wife, his brother David rose up against him. Howel returned, but he was defeated, wounded in battle, and taken to Ireland, where he is said to have died in 1170, leaving his Irish possessions to his brother Rhirid. According to the 'Annales Cambriæ' (p.53), Howel was killed by his brother David and his men in 1171. An anonymous poem places his death at Pentraeth (in Anglesey?)(Myv. Arch. i. 281), while another, quoted by Price, names Bangor as his burial-place (Hanes Cymru,p. 584). Of Howel's poetical works the only known remains are eight odes printed in 'Myvyrian Archæology,'i. 197-9.
[Brut y Tywysogion, RollsSer.ed.;Ann. Cambr. Rolls Ser. ed.; Gir. Cambr., It. Cambr. vol. vi.; Myv. Arch., Denbigh, 1870 ed.; Price's Hanes Cymru.]
R. W.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Howell, Francis

​HOWELL, FRANCIS (1625–1679), puritan divine, son of Thomas Howell of Gwinear, Cornwall, matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford, on 14 or 24 July 1642, at the age of seventeen. In 1648 he graduated M.A., and was elected fellow of his college and Greek reader on 10 Aug. in that year. About 1650 he was one of the independent ministers appointed to preach at St. Mary's, Oxford. On 28 April 1652 he became the senior proctor, and in the following June was among those who petitioned parliament for a new visitation of the university. Howell was nominated one of the visitors, and in 1654, under a fresh ordinance, was again placed on the list. In the same year (25 March 1654) the professorship of moral philosophy was bestowed upon him. Under a promise of Cromwell, and to the detriment of John Howe, he was created principal of Jesus College, Oxford, on 24 Oct. 1657, and consequently vacated in 1658 his fellowship at his old college. At the Restoration Howell was ejected from this preferment, and retired to London, where he preached 'with great acceptance' as assistant to the Rev. John Collins [q. v.] at Lime Street Chapel, Paved Alley. He died at Bethnal Green on 10 March 1679, and was buried at Bunhill Fields.
[Wood's Univ. of Oxford (Gutch), vol. ii. pt. ii. pp. 644, 651-2, 662, 874; Wood's Colleges (Gutch), p. 578, App. p. 138; Boase's Reg. of Exeter College, pp. 69-70; Neal's Puritans, 1822 ed. iv. 111; Calamy's Nonconf. Mem. 1802 ed. i. 234; Calamy's Howe, 1724, p. 19; Wilson's Dissenting Churches, i. 229, iii. 23; Burrows's Visit. of Oxford Univ. (Camden Soc.), pp. 500, 504.]
W. P. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Howell, Thomas (fl.1568)

​HOWELL, THOMAS (fl. 1568), versewriter, probably a native of Dunster in Somerset, published in 1568 ‘The Arbor of Amitie, wherein is comprised pleasant Poems and pretie Poesies, set foorth by Thomas Howell, Gentleman,’ 8vo, 51 leaves (Bodleian Library), with a dedicatory epistle to Lady Ann Talbot. Howell appears to have been employed at this time in the household of the Earl of Shrewsbury. ‘Newe Sonets and pretie Pamphlets … Newly augmented, corrected, and amended,’ 4to, was licensed for publication in 1567-8. An imperfect, undated copy, supposed to be unique, is preserved in the Capell collection (Trinity College, Cambridge); it is dedicated ‘To his approved Freinde, Maister Henry Lassels, Gentilman.’ Several poems are addressed to John Keeper (a Somerset man), and some of Keeper's poems are included among ‘Newe Sonets.’ Howell's latest work was ‘H. His Deuises, for his owne exercise, and his Friends pleasure. Vincit qui patitur,’ 1581, 4to, 51 leaves, preserved among Malone's books in the Bodleian Library. It appears from the dedicatory epistle that he was now in the service of the Countess of Pembroke, and that the poems were written at Wilton House ‘at ydle times … to auoyde greater ydlenesse or worse businesse.’ Howell's works have been reprinted in Dr. Grosart's ‘Occasional Issues.’ He was an uncouth writer, and his poems have little merit or interest. The best is a rustic wooing-song in ‘The Arbor of Amitie.’
A. H. B.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Howel ab Ieuav

​HOWEL ab Ieuav, or HOWEL Ddrwg, that is, Howel The Bad (d. 984), North Welsh prince, was the son of Ieuav, son of Idwal, who was imprisoned and deprived of his territory by his brother Iago about 969 (Annales Cambriæ, but not in the tenth-century MS.A). In 973 Howel was one of the Welsh kings who attended Edgar at Chester, promising to be his fellow-worker by sea and land (Flor. Wig. in Mon. Hist. Brit. p. 578). This submission procured him English aid against his uncle Iago, whom he drove out of his kingdom of Gwynedd. Henceforward he reigned in Iago's stead. Howel always showed that preference for the foreigner which caused patriotic historians of a much later generation to call him Howel the Bad, though there is nothing to show that he otherwise justified the title. Iago was taken prisoner about 978. In 979 Howel defeated and slew Cystennin, son of Iago, at the battle of Hir-barth. Having secured his kingdom, Howel joined his Saxon allies in 982, and invaded Brecheiniog (Annales Cambriæ, but cf. Brut y Tywysogion). In 984 he was himself slain by the treachery of the Saxons.
T. F. T.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Howel y Fwyall

​HOWEL y Fwyall (fl. 1356), or 'Howel of the Battle-axe,' was a Welsh knight and hero. According to Yorke his father was Gruffydd ab Howel ab Meredydd ab Einion ab Gwganen (Royal Tribes of Wales,p. 184). Sir John Wynne, however, says that he was the son of Einion ab Gruffydd (Hist. Gwydir Family,pp.29,30,79; cf.Table II., ib.) Both the accounts agree that he was descended from Collwyn ab Tangno, 'lord of Eifionydd, Ardudwy, and part of Llyen.' Howel was one of the Welshmen who fought at Poictiers in 1356, and Welsh tradition very improbably made him out to be the actual captor of the French king, 'cutting off his horse's head at one blow' (ib. p. 80n.) Howel undoubtedly seems to have fought well, for he was knighted by the Black Prince, and received afterwards the constableship of Criccieth Castle, and also the rent of Dee Mills at Chester, 'besides other great things in North Wales;' and as a memorial of his services a mess of meat ​was ordered to be served before his axe in perpetuity, the food being afterwards given to the poor `for his soul's health.' This ceremony is said to have been observed till the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's time, eight yeoman attendants at 8d. a day having charge of the meat (ib. p. 30, and n.) 'Howel was also "raglot" of Aberglaslyn, and died between Michaelmas 2 and the same time 6 Rich. II,' leaving two sons, Meredydd, who lived in Eifionydd; and Davydd, who lived at Henblas, near Llanrwst (ib. p. 30 and n.; Williams, Eminent Welshmen).
[Yorke's Royal Tribes of Wales, ed. Williams; Sir John Wynne's Hist. Gwydir Family; Williams's Eminent Welshmen.]
R. W.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Howell, John (1788-1863)

HOWELL, JOHN (1788–1863), polyartist, born at Old Lauriston, Edinburgh, in 1788, was apprenticed to a bookbinder, but
​afterwards was an assistant to Robert Kinnear, bookseller, in Frederick Street, Edinburgh, and subsequently spent five years with the firm of Stevenson, printers to the university, where he effected improvements in the art of stereotyping. He next returned to his trade of bookbinding at a workshop in Thistle Street, was patronised by Scott among others, and invented the well-known 'plough' for cutting edges. Acquainted with many odd handicrafts, he opened a shop as curiosity dealer and china and picture repairer at 22 Frederick Street, where the sign over the door described him as a 'polyartist.' The shop was not very successful, and Howell removed his business to 110 Rose Street, where he died 4 April 1863. He was married and left a family.
Howell on one occasion attempted to use a flying machine in what are now the West Princes Street Gardens, but broke one of his legs in the experiment. At another time, having made, at considerable expense, a model in the shape of a fish, he entered the machine, tried to swim under water at Leith, and was nearly drowned. He was more successful as an amateur doctor and dentist, and introduced the manufacture of Pompeian plates. His writings show considerable diligence. He published: 1. 'An Essay on the War-galleys of the Ancients,' Edinburgh, 1826, 8vo. 2. 'The Life and Adventures of Alexander Selkirk,' Edinburgh, 1829, 12mo. 3. 'The Life of Alexander Alexander,' Edinburgh, 1830. He also edited the 'Journal of a Soldier of the 71st Regiment, 1806-1815,' and the 'Life of John Nichol, the Mariner,' and wrote several of Wilson's 'Tales of the Borders.'
[Scotsman, 6 April 1863; Notes and Queries, 3rd ser. ii. 491, iii. 19, 78, 379, 4th ser. ii. 393, 500.]
W. A. J. A.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hughes, William (d.1798)

​HUGHES, WILLIAM (d. 1798), writer on music, was possibly son of William Hughes who became minor canon of Worcester in 1718, and in 1721 was presented to the vicarage of Old Sodbury, Gloucestershire, which he held until his death in 1768. The younger William Hughes was, on 25 Nov. 1741, admitted a minor canon of Worcester Cathedral, an appointment he held for upwards of forty years. When admitted, he apparently had no degree, but in 1757, when, on resigning the rectory of Bredicote and curacy of St. Clement's, Worcester, he was presented by the chapter to the vicarage of St. Peter's in that city, he is described in the chapter-house minutes as M.A. Hence he may have been the William Hughes who graduated B.A. at Lincoln College, Oxford, in 1749, and proceeded M.A. in 1752. He died at Leominster on 31 July 1798, bequeathing his property to the Worcester Infirmary. His cheerful disposition made him a great favourite in Worcester. According to an epitaph upon him written by a contemporary wit, 'Great was his genius, small his preferment. The Oracle of a coffee-house, he wished not to shine in a more exalted sphere. He laughed through life, and his face made ​others laugh too; not that it was particularly comic, but ludicrously serious.'
Hughes was generally interested in music, although he published no compositions. He was the author of 'Remarks upon Church Music, to which are added several Observations on Mr. Handel's Oratorios,' Worcester, 1763; and published two sermons, one being 'On the Efficacy and Importance of Music,' preached at the meeting of the Three Choirs, 13 Sept. 1749.
R. F. S.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hughes, Robert Ball

​HUGHES, ROBERT BALL (1806–1868), sculptor, born in London on 19 Jan. 1806, was probably son of Captain Ball, R.N., whose mother's second husband was Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, and whose son Edward, the admiral's heir, assumed the surname of Hughes in 1819 [see Hughes, Sir Edward, ad fin] Robert worked for seven years in the studio of E. H. Baily, R.A., and was a student at the Royal Academy. There, in 1823, he gained the gold medal for a bas-relief 'Pandora brought by Mercury to Epimetheus,' which was exhibited at the Academy in the following year. In 1825 he exhibited a statue of Achilles, in 1826 busts of the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Wellington, and in 1828 `A Shepherd Boy.' In 1829 Hughes left England, and passed the remainder of his life in the United States. His most important American works were, the statue of Alexander Hamilton for the Merchants' Exchange, New York, destroyed by fire in 1835; the bronze statue of Nathaniel Bowditch, now at Mount Auburn; and the monument to Bishop Hobart in Trinity Church, New York. In 1851 he sent over to the international exhibition in London a statue of ​ Oliver Twist. The Boston Athenæum possesses several specimens of his work. He died at Boston, U.S.A., 5 March 1868.
F. M. O'D.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hughes, William (1803-1861)

​HUGHES, WILLIAM (1803–1861), legal writer, born at Maker vicarage, Cornwall, on 2 March 1803, was fourth son of Sir Robert Hughes, third baronet, by his second wife, Bethia, daughter of Thomas Hiscutt, and was nephew of Admiral Sir Richard Hughes [q.v.] His father matriculated from Trinity College, Oxford, on 30 March 1757, aged 17, was a demy of Magdalen College 1758–67, B.A. 1761, M.A. 1763, rector of Frimley St. Mary and Weston, Suffolk, from 1769 until his death, and was buried on 4 June 1814. William was admitted to the bar at Gray's Inn on 11 June 1833, and practised as a conveyancer on the western circuit, where he was also auditor of the poor-law union district of Cornwall and Devonshire. He died at Millbay Grove, Plymouth, on 20 Aug. 1861. He married Jane Caroline, daughter of Edward Knapman of Bideford, by whom he had five children.
Hughes's chief writings were: 1. ‘Practical Directions for taking Instructions for, and drawing Wills,’ 1833. 2. ‘The Practical Angler. By Piscator,’ 1842. 3. ‘Fish, How to Choose, and How to Dress. By Piscator,’ 1843; 2nd edit., 1854, entitled ‘A Practical Treatise on the Choice and Cookery of Fish.’ 4. ‘The Practice of Sales of Real Property, with an Appendix of Precedents,’ 1846–1847, 2 vols.; 2nd edit., 1849–50, 2 vols. 5. ‘The Three Students of Gray's Inn: a novel,’ 1846. 6. ‘The Practice of Mortgages of Real and Personal Estate,’ 1848–9, 2 vols. 7. ‘The New Stamp Act,’ 1850. 8. ‘Concise Precedents in Modern Conveyancing,’ 1850–1853, 3 vols.; 2nd edit., 1855–7, 3 vols. 9. ‘A Table of the Stamp Duties payable in Great Britain and Ireland,’ 1850. 10. ‘It is all for the best: a Cornish Tale,’ 1852. 11. ‘The Practice of Conveyancing,’ 1856–1857, 2 vols.
G. C. B.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hughes, William (1793-1825)

​HUGHES, WILLIAM (1793–1825), wood-engraver, was born in 1793 in Liverpool, where he was an apprentice to Henry Hole [q.v.] Some of his earliest works illustrate Gregson's 'Fragments of Lancashire,' 1817. There are a few woodcuts by him in Rutter's 'Delineations of Fonthill,' excellent in manner and carefully executed. Specimens of his work are to be found also in Dibdin's 'Decameron,' 1817, Johnson's 'Typographia,' 1824, and Ottley's 'History of Engraving.' Puckle's 'Club,' 1817, contains three beautifully finished head-pieces and five tail-pieces by Hughes. Some capital cuts by him are in Butler's 'Remains,' 1827, in 'Mornings in Bow Street,' 1824 (after Cruikshank), and in Washington Irving's 'Knickerbocker's History of New York,' about the same date. Like his master, Hole, he engraved much in the style of Thurston, and his name is only found on good and careful work. He died at Lambeth, London, on 11 Feb. 1825, aged 32.
A. N.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hughes, William Little

​HUGHES, WILLIAM LITTLE (1822–1887), translator, son of William Hughes, by Margaret Acheson, was born at Dublin in 1822. He settled in Paris, and became chief clerk in the foreign press department of the ministry of the interior. Between 1858 and 1886 he published a number of French adaptations and translations from Bulwer, Dickens, Thackeray, Poe, Faraday, Habberton, and Mark Twain. He was a collector of works in all languages on Shakespeare. He died at Paris on 5 Jan. 1887.
J. G. A.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hughes, Thomas (fl.1587)

​HUGHES, THOMAS (fl. 1587), dramatist, a native of Cheshire, was matriculated at Queens' College, Cambridge, in November 1571, proceeded B.A. 1575-6, and on 8 Sept. 1576 was elected a fellow of his college under a royal mandate. On leaving Cambridge he became a member of Gray's Inn. He had the chief share in the authorship of `The Misfortunes of Arthur, reduced into Tragical Notes by T. H.,' a play performed before Queen Elizabeth at Greenwich on 8 Feb. 1587-8, by members of Gray's Inn, and printed with the general title of `Certaine Devises and Shewes presented to her Majestie by the Gentlemen of Grayes-Inne at her Highnesse Court in Greenwich,' &c., Robert Robinson, 1587, b.l., 8vo (Brit. Museum and Duke of Devonshire's Library). This play was reprinted in Collier's supplement to `Dodsley,' and is included in Mr. Hazlitt's edition of Dodsley's collection. It is one of the earliest plays in which blank verse was employed, and Francis Bacon helped to arrange the dumb-shows.
A. H. B.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hughes, William (fl.1665-1683)

​HUGHES, WILLIAM (fl. 1665–1683), horticultural writer, served, according to his own account, on board a vessel engaged on a filibustering expedition in the West Indies. He then visited, among other places, Barbadoes, St. Kitts, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Florida. After his return, about 1652, he took service, apparently as gardener, under the Dowager Viscountess Conway at Ragley. While in this situation he brought out 'The Complete Vineyard, or an excellent way for the Planting of Vines,' &c., London, 1665; this reached a third edition in 1683. His next venture was 'The Flower-Garden enlarged,' London, 1671; third and last edition 1683; and finally a third duodecimo in 1672, 'The American Physitian, or a Treatise of the Roots, Plants, Trees … growing in the English Plantations in America,' &c., in which he recounts his experience of West Indian produce.
[Works; Pritzel's Thes. Lit. Bot. 1st ed. p.127.]
B. D. J.
# Dictionary of Indian Biography/Bhownagri, Sir Mancherji Merwanji

Layout 2
​BHOWNAGRI, SIR MANCHERJI MERWANJI (1851–)
Son of a distinguished Parsi merchant: educated at the Elphinstone College and Bombay University: began life as a journalist: State agent in Bombay for the Bhaunagar Raja, 1873: M.P. for Bethnal Green since 1895: author of History of the Constitution of the East India Company, a Gujarati translation of H.M.'s Life in the Highlands. K.C.I.E.
# Dictionary of Indian Biography/Bicknell, Herman

Layout 2
​BICKNELL, HERMAN (1830–1875)
Son of E. Bicknell: born April 2, 1830: educated at Paris, Hanover, University College, St. Bartholomew's: took his medical degree in 1855: gazetted Assistant Surgeon: first to Hongkong, then to Mianmir near Lahore in 1856: was Staff Assistant Surgeon: served through the mutiny and travelled widely, exploring in Tibet and the Himalayas: in 1861, resigned his commission. In 1862, as an English Muhammadan gentleman he resided in Cairo, and, undisguised, performed a pilgrimage to Mecca: he travelled also in Persia, to perfect his translation of Hafiz: visited the Kum mosque in Persia, 1869: eminent as a linguist and traveller: died March 14, 1875.
# Dictionary of Indian Biography/Bhaskarananda, Swami

Layout 2
​BHASKARANANDA, SWAMI (1833–1899)
Motiram (his early name) was born in the village of Maithilalpur in Cawnpur, about 6 miles from the residence of Nana Sahib (q.v.): at 8, he learnt the elements of Sanskrit, and completed his study on Panini (grammar) at 17: renounced the world, went on pilgrimage, and wandered in search of knowledge: studied Vedanta philosophy at Ujain, became a Sanyasi (devotee) at 27, assuming the name of Bhaskarananda, (the sun-enchanted). For mental discipline, he kept silence for several months, and often roamed about the banks of the Ganges with head uncovered in the sun for hours together: lived for several years at Hardwar absorbed in the study of Bhagavat Gita and the Upanishads: migrated to Benares and lived a life of great austerity, devotion, contemplation and study, till he died in July, 1899: was a bright-looking ascetic, always cheerful and of intense spiritual energy: European savants and Princes, going to Benares, used to visit him: three marble statues have been raised in his honour.
# Dictionary of Indian Biography/Bhau Daji, or Ramkrishna Vital

Layout 2
​BHAU DAJI, OR RAMKRISHNA VITAL (1821–1874)
A Sarasvat Gond Brahman, and son of a small farmer of Mandra, in Goa: educated in the Native Education Society's School in Bombay, and became a teacher in the Elphinstone School: joined, 1845, the Grant Medical College as a student, and graduated in 1850: as a practitioner, achieved great popularity and success: made original researches in the use of Indian drugs, with a special view to discovering a cure for leprosy in its earlier stages, and contributed some valuable papers to the Antiquary: was a member of the chief educational and learned Societies in Bombay: a Fellow of the University, a Justice of the Peace, the first native Sheriff of Bombay in 1869 and 1871: was also Dr.: died of paralysis in 1874.
# Dictionary of Indian Biography/Bhopal, Nawab Shah Jehan, Begam of

Layout 2
​BHOPAL, NAWAB SHAH JEHAN, BEGAM OF (1838–1901)
Born July 3, 1838: proclaimed ruler of Bhopal, Jan. 10, 1847, her mother, Sikandar Begam (q.v.) being Regent: abdicated May 1, 1860, in favour of her mother, on whose death, Oct. 30, 1868, she succeeded to the government of the State: she married, first Bakshi Bahi Muhammad Khan, (who died 1867), and had one daughter, the present Nawab ​Sultan Jehan Begam: and second in 1871, her Prime Minister, Nawab Maulvi Muhammad Sadik Hussein, of a noble Bokhara family: she was made G.C.S.I, in 1872, and administered her State with ability, benevolence, and loyalty to the Government of India: Member of the Order of the Crown of India: died June 16, 1901.
# Dictionary of Indian Biography/Bhatawadekar, Sir Bhatchandra Krishna

Layout 2
​BHATAWADEKAR, SIR BHATCHANDRA KRISHNA (1852–)
Educated at Elphinstone High School and Grant Medical College, Bombay: Chief Medical Officer in the Baroda State, 1875–85: President of the Bombay Municipal Corporation: author of several treatises: made a Knight Bachelor, Feb. 7, 1900.