OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Outram, Benjamin (1764-1805)

1904 Errata appended.
​OUTRAM, BENJAMIN (1764–1805), civil engineer, the eldest son of Joseph Outram (1732–1810) of Alfreton, Derbyshire, by his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Edmund Hodgkinson, was born on 1 April 1764, and named after Benjamin Franklin, who was a friend of his father. He was educated as a civil engineer, projected the aqueduct over the Mersey at Chapel-en-le-Frith, and was constantly employed in the construction of roads and canals. But his chief title to remembrance is his instrumentality in introducing iron railways for colliery traffic. The lines hitherto used had generally been constructed of wood. Outram greatly improved the material and the method of laying, and it has frequently been asserted both that he invented tramways and that the term ‘tram’ was derived from his name. But it is certain that the word was used long before his time, both for a plank-road in a mine ​and for the wagons used upon such a road in the collieries. Hence the term was readily applied to the planks or rails, to the line itself, and also, elliptically, to the vehicle running along the rails (see Surtees Soc. xxxviii. 37, where the word 'tram' occurs in a will dated 1655. It appears to be identical with the old Swedish 'tram,' a log or beam; cf. Notes and Queries, 6th ser. ii. 225, 356, 498; Skeat, Etymological Dict. 1884). About 1800 Outram founded the extensive Butterley ironworks in Derbyshire, but he died suddenly in London, on 22 May 1805, before the large outlay made upon the undertaking (which passed to Messrs. Jessopp & Co.) had proved remunerative. By his wife Margaret, only surviving daughter of James Anderson (1739-1808) [q. v.], whom he married on 4 June 1800, he left five children: Francis, Anna, James [q. v.], the celebrated general, Margaret, and Elizabeth. A fine-looking, high-spirited man, of a generous temper and restless energy which could ill brook either stupidity or opposition, Outram possessed many of the characteristics which were inherited by his more famous son.
[Goldsmid's Life of James Outram, 1880; Barker's Peerage and Baronetage; Smiles's Life of Stephenson, p. 69; Wood's Practical Treatise on Railways; Glover's Hist. and Gazetteer of the County of Derby, ii. 200; Brand's History of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, ii. 681 n.; Whitney's Century Dictionary, s.v, 'Tram.']
T. S.
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.211 N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
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# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ouvry, Frederic

​OUVRY, FREDERIC (1814–1881), antiquary, born on 20 Oct. 1814, was third son of Peter Aimé Ouvry, and nephew of John Payne Collier [q. v.] He was descended from James Ouvry, a refugee from the neighbourhood of Dieppe at the time of the revocation of the edict of Nantes in 1685, whose family settled in Spitalfields freeholds there in the early part of the century (Smiles, The Huguenots, 6th edition, p. 418). Admitted ​a solicitor in 1837, he became a partner in the well-known firm of Robinson, King, & Ouvry, in Tokenhouse Yard, but afterwards joined the firm of his brothers-in-law, the Messrs. Farrers, at 66 Lincoln's Inn Fields. On 24 Feb. 1848 he was elected fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and was placed on the council of the society in 1850, while for twenty years (1854–74) he filled the office of treasurer. On his resignation he was made vice-president, and on 4 Jan. 1876 was unanimously elected president in grateful recognition of his administrative services. He retired in 1878. He presented the society with many valuable books, and a remarkable portrait of William Oldys [q. v.]
Ouvry was likewise a member of the Weavers' Company, one of the treasurers of the Royal Literary Fund, and a member of other literary societies. Foremost among his literary friends was Charles Dickens, who depicted him in a paper in ‘Household Words’ as ‘Mr. Undery.’ He died suddenly at 12 Queen Anne Street on 26 June 1881, and was buried at Acton.
His fine library of manuscripts, autograph letters, and printed books, including the first four folios of ‘Shakespeare,’ was sold in April 1882, and produced 6,169l. 2s. A catalogue of his collection of old ballads, compiled by T. W. Newton, was printed in 1887. He contributed two papers to the ‘Archæologia’ (xxxv. 379–82 and xxxvi. 219–41), but his literary tastes were not confined to antiquarian science. There was no literary undertaking of mark which he was not ready to promote. He himself frequently printed facsimiles of rare publications, of which only one copy was known. These include: 1. ‘The Cobler of Canterburie,’ 1862. 2. T. Eulenspiegel's ‘Howleglas,’ 1867. 3. G. Markham's ‘The Famous Whore,’ 1868. 4. T. Cranley's ‘Amanda,’ 1869. 5. ‘Petitions and Answers,’ being pieces printed in 1668, 1870. 6. ‘Letters addressed to T. Hearne,’ 1874. 7. J. Singer's ‘Quips upon Questions,’ 1875. 8. N. Breton's ‘The Passionate Shepherd,’ 1877.
A bust of Ouvry, executed by Marshall Wood, was given to the Society of Antiquaries by his family. It had been presented to him by his clients, the Messrs. Coutts.
[Proc. of Soc. Antiq. 2nd ser. ix. 7, 114–17; Athenæum, 2 July 1881, pp. 15, 22, 8 April 1882, p. 445, 15 April 1882, p. 478; Notes and Queries, 6th ser. iv. 20; Solicitors' Journal, 9 July 1881, p. 681.]
G. G.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Outram, George

​OUTRAM, GEORGE (1805–1856), journalist, was second son of Joseph Outram (1771–1830), brother of Benjamin Outram [q. v.], by Elizabeth, daughter of George Knox, Craigleith. He was born on 25 March 1805 at the Clyde ironworks, near Glasgow, of which his father was manager, and was educated at the high school of Leith, whither his family removed in his boyhood. He studied at the university of Edinburgh, and in 1827 was admitted a member of the Scottish bar. Not being successful as an advocate, he readily accepted, in May 1837, the editorship of the 'Glasgow Herald' in succession to Samuel Hunter, and soon acquired a share as proprietor. The chief feature of his editorship was the reversal of the anti-corn-law policy of the 'Herald.' He continued his journalistic work till his death, on 15 Sept. 1856, at Rosemore on the Holy Loch. He was buried in Warriston cemetery, Edinburgh. Outram was an enthusiastic angler and a prominent member of the Edinburgh Angling Club. In 1837 he married Frances McRobbie from Jamaica, and had by her four sons and one daughter, of whom the last survivor died in 1887.
Outram's reputation rests on the 'Lyrics, Legal and Miscellaneous,' first printed privately, and afterwards edited in 1874 by Sheriff Bell, who prefaced it with a biographical sketch. A new edition, with additions and notes, by Dr. J. H. Stoddart, editor of the 'Glasgow Herald,' appeared in 1888. ​The majority of his verses were written to be sung at festive gatherings in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The interest in his work is chiefly local, partly because he wrote nearly all in the Scots dialect, partly because the topics were connected with the legal society of the Scottish capital; but in a few instances, notably in the 'Annuity,' the rich humour and happy expression appeal to a wider circle. Outram collaborated with 'Christopher North' in the 'Dies Boreales,' which followed the 'Noctes Ambrosianæ.' He also printed for private circulation a collection of legal anecdotes.
[Editions of the 'Lyrics' referred to above; Songs of the Edinburgh Angling Club; biographical notes kindly supplied by Aleaxander Sinclair, esq., of the 'Glasgow Herald,' and J. D. Outram, esq., advocate, Edinburgh.]
G. G. S.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Le Fevre, Nicasius

​LE FEVRE, NICASIUS or NICOLAS (d. 1669), chemist, studied at the university of Sedan. Vallot, first physician to Louis XIV, appointed him demonstrator of chemistry at the Jardin du Roi at Paris. Evelyn attended a course of his lectures in February 1647 (Diary, 1850–2, i. 244). He became professor of chemistry to Charles II on 15 Nov. 1660 (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1660–1, pp. 357, 432) and apothecary in ordinary to the royal household on 31 Dec. following (ib. 1663–4, p. 142). Charles entrusted him with the management of the laboratory at St. James's Palace (ib. Dom. 1664–6). On 20 May 1663 Le Fevre was elected F.R.S. (Thomson, Hist. of Royal Soc. App. iv.) He died in the parish of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, in the spring of 1669, for on 21 April of that year his estate was administered to by his widow, Philibert (Administration Act Book, P. C. C., 1669). His portrait has been engraved (Evans, Cat. of Engraved Portraits, ii. 150).
Le Fevre was an able chemist and a lucid, learned, and accurate author. He wrote:
* 'Traite de la Chymie,' 2 vols. 8vo, Paris, 1660 (1669, 1674, Leyden, 1669). An English translation by 'P. D. C., Esq.,' one of the gentlemen of the privy chamber, was published at London in 1664 and again in 1670, 2 pts. 4to. German and Latin versions also appeared. Lenglet-Dufresnoy published an edition considerably augmented by Dumoustier, 5 vols. 12mo, Paris, 1751.
* 'Disputatio de Myrrhata Potione,' in vol. ix. of Pearson's ' Critic! Sacri,' fol., 1660.
* 'Discours sur le Grand Cordial de Sr. Walter Rawleigh,' 12mo, London, 1665 [1664] (English version by Peter Belon, 8vo, London, 1664).
Le Fevre also translated into French Sir Thomas Browne's 'Religio Medici,' 12mo, Hague, 1688.
[Nouvelle Biographie Generale, xxx. 342–3.]
G. G.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Le Capelain, John

​LE CAPELAIN, JOHN (1814?–1848), painter, a native of Jersey, was born there about 1814, and acquired a knowledge of drawing. About 1882 he came to London and practised as a water-colour painter. He had a peculiar trick of painting which gave his drawings a misty and foggy effect. A 'Coast Scene' in this manner is in the print room at the British Museum. After the queen's visit to Jersey, a volume of drawings by Le Capelain of scenery in the island was presented to her. This led to his receiving a commission from the queen to paint pictures of the Isle of Wight. While engaged on these he developed rapid consumption, of which he died at Jersey in 1848. His drawings are technically clever, and were popular in his day. A collection of them is preserved in the museum at Jersey.
[Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; manuscript notes in the Percy Catalogue of Water-colour Drawings, print room, Brit. Mus.]
L. C.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Le Davis, Edward

​LE DAVIS, EDWARD (1640?–1684?), engraver, was a Welshman, born about 1640. His family name was Davis, the French prefix being an addition of his own. He was apprenticed to David Loggan [q. v.], but resenting his treatment by his master's wife broke his articles and went to Paris. There he practised his art and engaged in business relations with François Chauveau, whose name appears as the publisher of Le Davis's prints of 'St. Cecilia,' after Vandyck, 'Ecce Homo,' after A. Carracci, and 'The Infant Christ holding a cross,' the last bearing the date 1671. Soon after that year Le Davis returned to London, where he is said to have engaged successfully in picture-dealing. He also painted portraits, but is now only known by his engravings, which, though poorly executed, are of historical interest. These include portraits of Charles II (afterwards altered to William III), Catherine of Braganza, after J. B. Caspars (frontispiece to vol. ii. of Pitt's 'Atlas.' 1681) James, duke of York; the Prince and Princess of Orange, after Lely; the Duchess of Portsmouth, after Lely; and Charles, duke of Richmond, after Wissing; also George Monck, duke of Albemarle, and Bertram Ashburnham, both engraved for Guillim's 'Heraldry,' 1679. Le Davis is believed to have died about 1684.
[Walpole's Anecdotes of Painting (Dallaway and Wornum), p. 941; Vertue's Collections in Brit. Mus. Addit. MS. 23078; Nagler's Allgemeines Künstler-Lexikon; Andressen's Handbuch für Kupferstich-Sammler, 1870; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists.]
F. M. O'D.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Le Fanu, Philip

​LE FANU, PHILIP (fl. 1790), divine, son of William Le Fanu, by his wife Henriette Roboteau de Pugebaut, was born in Ireland about 1735. His ancestors were refugee Huguenots who fled from Caen in Normandy on the revocation of the edict of Nantes (Taylor, p. 450). He graduated M.A. at Trinity College, Dublin, in 1755, and took the degree of D.D. in 1776. He translated the Abbé Guenée's 'Lettres de certaines Juives à Monsieur Voltaire,' under the title 'Letters of certain Jews to Voltaire, containing an Apology for their People and for ​the Old Testament,' against Voltaire's aspersions, both by way of indirect attack upon Christianity, 2 vols. Dublin, 1777; 2nd edit. 1790. He is also said to have written a 'History of the Council of Constance,' Dublin, 1787, 8vo.
A brother, Peter Le Fanu (fl. 1778), was author of 'an occasional prelude.' entitled 'Smock Alley Secrets.' which was produced at the Dublin Theatre in 1778 (Baker, Biog. Dram.)
Le Fanu's sister-in-law, Mrs. Alicia Le Fanu (1753-1817), was eldest daughter of Thomas Sheridan, and favourite sister of the dramatist Richard Brinsley Sheridan [q. v.] She was born in January 1768, and married in 1776 Philip's brother, Joseph Le Fanu. She was the author of a patriotic comedy entitled 'Sons of Erin, or Modern Sentiment.' which was acted 'once only' at the Lyceum Theatre, London, on 13 April 1812 (Genest, viii. 279). She died on 4 Sept. 1817 at Dublin, and was buried in St. Peter's graveyard. Of her three children the eldest, Thomas Philip, was dean of Emly and father of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu [q. v.] the novelist. Another of Philip's brothers, Henry Le Fanu, a captain in the 56th regiment, married Anne Elizabeth, youngest child of Thomas Sheridan, who died at Leamington on 4 Jan. 1837, aged 79 (Gent. Mag. 1837, ii. 585), leaving a daughter Alicia Le Fanu (fl. 1812-1826), who, in addition to some long-winded historical romances, and stories in verse, published in 1824 'Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Mrs. Frances Sheridan, mother of the late Right Hon. R. B. Sheridan, by her Grand-daughter' (see Gent. Mag. 1824, i. 583).
[Webb's Compendium of Irish Biog. p. 288; Smiles's Huguenots, p. 410; Harvey's Genealog. Tables of Families of Sheridan, Le Fanu, and Knowles; Memoirs of Mrs. Sheridan, passim; Gent. Mag. 1817, ii. 285; Allibone; Brit. Mus. Cat.]
T. S.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Le Brun, John

​LE BRUN, JOHN (d. 1865), independent missionary in Mauritius, born in Switzerland, was brought up in England, and was educated under the care of Dr. Bogue at Gosport. He received ordination for the congregationalist ministry in Jersey on 25 Nov. 1813, and was at the same time appointed to Mauritius, which had been captured from the French in 1810. He sailed on 1 Jan. 1814, being furnished by the directors of the London Missionary Society with letters of recommendation to Governor R. Farquhar. 'An important object of this mission was,' the directors stated, ' to prepare the way to the great island of Madagascar, and it may be hoped to Bourbon also.' LeBrun arrived at Port Louis on 18 May 1814, and commenced his work, of which the governor of the island spoke with satisfaction in the following year (see History of Madagascar, by W. Ellis, ii. 205). But the climate injured his health, while 'he and his congregation,' writes Mr. Backhouse, 'were for many years, during the full operation of the slave system.' which he strongly opposed, 'placed under the ban of the police.' and his relations with the coloured people were seriously hampered (Narrative of a Visit to the Mauritius and South Africa, p. 50). After staving at Cape Town from October 1832 until 4 March 1833, he arrived in London 22 May. In August 1833 the London Missionary Society, discouraged by the fovernment officials, abandoned its efforts in lauritius, but when in 1834 the act for the abolition of slavery in all the British dominions was published, Le Brun returned to Mauritius on his own account, and continued his labours among the emancipated slaves, who were mostly of Madagascar origin, Hovas, and Malagasy. He built a commodious chapel in Port Louis, and established schools under the auspices of the Mico charity throughout the island. He was indefatigable in assisting the Malagasy refugees who escaped from the dominion of Queen Ranavalo, and despatched his son Peter to Tamatave to help the exiles to leave Madagascar in 1838. About ten thousand natives of Madagascar lived at this time in Mauritius, most of them being originally imported either as slaves or as 'prize negroes' (cf. Narrative of the Persecution of the Christians in Madagascar, by Freeman and Johns, p. 276), and at Port Louis or at Mokar Le Brun and his son made every effort to supply them with religious instruction (cf. A Tour in S. Africa, by J. J. Freeman, 1851, p. 388). Le Brun was reappointed an agent of the London Missionary Society on 27 Dec. 1841. In 1851 his son Peter again visited Madagascar, and after the death of Ranavalona arranged at the court of the second Radama for the entry of the London missionaries into the country under the protection of the government. Le Brun died 21 Feb. 1865 at Port Louis. He married at Port Louis, in August 1818, Miss Mabille. She died 9 July 1856, leaving two sons, who joined in the work of their father's ministry.
S. P. O.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Le Breton, Anna Letitia

​LE BRETON, ANNA LETITIA (1808–1885), author, daughter of Charles Rochemont Aikin [q. v.], by his wife Anne, daughter of the Rev. Gilbert Wakefield, was born on 30 June 1808 in Broad Street, London, where her father was practising as a surgeon. She was educated at home, and saw much of her great-aunt, Mrs. Barbauld, and other members of the Aikin family. She married in 1833 Philip Hemery Le Breton, afterwards of the Inner Temple, and resided at Hampstead. Mrs. Le Breton assisted her husband in his 'Memoirs, Miscellanies, and Letters' of her aunt, Lucy Aikin [q. v.], which was published in 1864. In 1874 she herself edited Miss Aikin's correspondence with Dr. Channing, and published a 'Memoir of Mrs. Barbauld, including Letters and Notices of her Family and Friends.' In 1883 appeared Mrs. Le Breton's last book, 'Memories of Seventy Years, by one of a Literary Family.' which was edited by her daughter, Mrs. Herbert Martin. She died at Hampstead 29 Sept. 1885, and was buried in the cemetery there. Of her eight children that reached maturity six survived her. Her husband died in 1884.
[Works named above, and information from Mrs. Herbert Martin.]
A. N.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Plumptre, James

​PLUMPTRE, JAMES (1770–1832), dramatist and divine, born in 1770, was the second son of Robert Plumptre [q. v.], president of Queens' College, Cambridge, by his wife, Anne Newcome. His sister Anna is separately noticed. James was educated at Dr. Henry Newcome's school at Hackney, where he took part in amateur theatricals, and acquired a strong taste for the drama. In 1788 he entered at Queens' College, Cambridge, but migrated to Clare Hall, whence he graduated B.A. in 1792, M.A. in 1795, and B.D. in 1808. In 1793 he was elected fellow of Clare. On 18 May 1812 he was presented to the living of Great Gransden, Huntingdonshire, which he held till his death there on 23 Jan. 1832. He was unmarried.
Plumptre devoted himself chiefly to dramatic literature. He wrote plays, advocated ​the claims of the stage as a moral educator, and endeavoured to improve its tone. He also wrote some religious books. Besides pamphlets, letters, single sermons, and hymns, he published: 1. ‘The Coventry Act; a Comedy,’ 1793, 8vo. 2. ‘A concise View of the History of Religious Knowledge,’ 1794, 12mo. 3. ‘Osway: a Tragedy,’ 1795, 4to. 4. ‘The Lakers: a Comic Opera,’ 1798, 8vo. 5. ‘A Collection of Songs … selected and revised,’ 3 vols., 1806, 12mo. 6. ‘Four Discourses relating to the Stage,’ 1809, 8vo. 7. ‘The Vocal Repository,’ 1809, 8vo. 8. ‘The English Drama purified,’ 3 vols. 1812; a selection of expurgated plays. 9. ‘Three Discourses on the Case of Animal Creation,’ 1816, 12mo. 10. ‘The Experienced Butcher,’ 1816, 12mo. 11. ‘Original Dramas,’ 1818, 8vo. 12. ‘A Selection from the Fables by John Gay,’ 1823, 12mo. 13. ‘One Hundred Fables in Verse, by various Authors,’ 1825, 8vo. 14. ‘Robinson Crusoe, edited by Rev. James Plumptre,’ 1826; republished in 1882 by the S.P.C.K. 15. ‘A Popular Commentary on the Bible,’ 2 vols. 1827, 8vo.
Plumptre, John (1753–1825), dean of Gloucester, cousin and brother-in-law of the preceding, born in 1753, was the eldest son of Septimus, younger brother of Robert Plumptre [q. v.] He was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, where he was elected fellow in 1775, graduated B.A. in 1777, and M.A. in 1780. In 1778 he was presented to the vicarage of Stone, Worcestershire, in 1787 was elected prebendary of Worcester, in 1790 rector of Wichenford, and in 1808 dean of Gloucester. He died on 26 Nov. 1825, having married his cousin Diana, daughter of Robert Plumptre. She died on 18 June 1825, leaving three sons. Plumptre was a good classical scholar, and published: 1. ‘Ecloga Sacra Alexandri Pope, vulgo Messia dicta, Græce reddita,’ 1795, 4to; 2nd edit. 1796, to which was appended ‘Inscriptio sepulchralis ex celeberrima elegia Thomæ Gray [etiam Græce reddita].’ 2. ‘Miltonis Poema Lycidas Græce redditum,’ 1797, 4to. 3. ‘The Elegies of C. Pedo Albinovanus … with an English version,’ London, 1807, 12mo. From the place of publication it would seem that he was also author of ‘The Principles of Natural and Revealed Religion,’ 2 vols. Kidderminster, 1795, 8vo, which is anonymous, and has been attributed to his cousin, James Plumptre.
A. F. P.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Plumptre, Robert

​PLUMPTRE, ROBERT (1723–1788), president of Queens' College, Cambridge, was youngest of ten children of John Plumptre, a gentleman of moderate estate in Nottinghamshire, and was grandson of Henry Plumptre [q. v.] He was educated by Dr. Henry Newcome at Hackney, and matriculated as a pensioner of Queens' College, Cambridge, on 11 July 1741. He proceeded B.A. 1744, M.A. 1748, D.D. 1761, and on 21 March 1745 was elected fellow of his college. In 1752 (19 Oct.) he was instituted to the rectory of Wimpole, Cambridgeshire, on the presentation of Lord-chancellor Hardwicke; at the same time he held the vicarage of Whaddon. In 1756 Lord Hardwicke made him prebendary of Norwich. In 1760 he was elected president of his college, and in 1769 professor of casuistry. These offices, together with his preferments, he held till his death. He was vice-chancellor 1760-1 and 1777-1778.
Dr. Plumptre interested himself in the history of his college, and left some manuscript collections for it. In the university he supported the movement inaugurated by Dr. John Jebb (1736-1786) [q. v.] in favour of annual examinations, and was a member of the syndicate appointed on 17 Feb. 1774 to devise a scheme for carrying them out, which was rejected on 19 April in the same year. He is also stated to have been in favour of granting relief to the clergy, who in 1772 petitioned against subscription to the thirty- nine articles. He published in 1782 a pamphlet called 'Hints respecting some of the University Officers,' of which a second edition appeared in 1802. Latin poems by him occur among the congratulatory verses published by the university in 1761 on the occasion of the marriage of George III in 1762, on the birth of a Prince of Wales, and in 1763 on the restoration of peace. These compositions show that he was a respectable scholar, and that the story of his having made false quantities in his vice-chancellor's speech, which were strung into the line—
Rogērus immēmor Robērtum denōtat hebētem—
is probably a calumny.
Dr. Plumptre died at Norwich on 29 Oct. 1788. There is a tablet to his memory on the south side of the presbytery. There is a portrait of him in the president's lodge, Queens' College. He married, in September 1756, Anne, second daughter of Dr. Henry Newcome, his former schoolmaster. By her he had ten children. His son James and two ​of his daughters, Anne and Annabella, are separately noticed [see under Plumptre, Anna].
J. W. C.-K.