Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-28

documents to permit at least one more
volume to be prepared by his literary ex-
ecutors.
Leopold Won Ranke was born at Wiehe,
in Tburingia, OH December q, 1875, aud
completed his sixtietn year as professor IN
the University Of Berlin on March 81, 1885,
the freedom OF the city OF Berlin being
conferred upon him In celebration OF the
event. lie began life as a student, his post
tjon being that Of tutor at the College OF
Frapkfort-on-tbe- Oder. His first work was
published in 1S2i-'' The History OF Ro-
man aud German Nations from l494 to
1885. Soon after he published "Critielsms
on Modern Historians" In appreciatlye
recognition OF the merits OF these two
works he vas appointed Professor OF
History at Berlin IN 1926. -Four years
after be was sent officially to examine
the public archives, accessible 10 him Ia
Vienna. Venice, Florence, and Rome, an
occupation extending over four years.
During this period he obtained the mate
rials for The books which successfully ap-
pcareo--" The Princes aud Peoples OF
Southern Europe in the Sixteenth and
Seventeenth Centuries" "The OSmauliS
and the Spanish Monarchy" The History
Of Seryia," and "Leclures on Italian
Poetry" or these tie only volume trans
lated into English was that on Servll, by
Mrs. Alexander Kerr, in 1917. with The
authors appreciation and sanction.
The book which first gave him European
reputation was entitled "The Popes OF
Rome" which was really continuation OF
"The Princes and Peoples OF Southern
Europe" This great work appeared IN
1884. Lord Macaulay's review OF 1t in The
tdintUrgh RcUioto is masterpiece. IL
made Ranke's name familiar to English
and Amencan readers. In ISL Won
RaDke was appointed royal hiStorlokra-
phcr. IL was ia 1850 that ne was maze
president OF the Historical Commits sion OF
Munich. and at the same time emitted 10
TIclX Won to bis name. After the death
q Boekh nc became Chancellor OF the
Order Of Merit. Won Ranke married an
Irish lady, Miss Graves, a very superior
woman, but Of retiring disposition, and
who never shared his literary work lie
had a son and two or three daughters. "A
nephew is professor az Munich.
Among his more rccentpublica'ionsw were ::
d" A History OF WalIen,tein," 1869; "The
German Powers and the League OF
Princes" being history OF Germany from
1880 TO 1890, published in 1871; a His
tory OF England. Principally in the Seven
tenth Century," 1875, and two biographies,
Of Frederick lhe Great and Frederick VIII
helm, 1873.
He held command Of bis surprising
power OF mental concentration up to
within short time Of his death. Last
January TIE writer Of fifty learned
books conversod with irmnesS, fluency,
and continuity, convincing his visitors
that he was skilful with his tongue as with
his zen. Weather permitting. the veteran
OF more than ninety years old walked two
hours day IN the open air, and wrote or
dictated eight hours Of the twenty four.
He lived among his books, thirty thousand
Of which lined the walls OF hl' study. The
historian enjoyed gliss Of wine, but never
smoked.
He was a great favoIitc with the Emperor
William, who presented him VITA full
sized portrait OF himself on bis last birthday.
ON the mantepicce Of his study stood full
length photograph Of the Crown Prince in
his Cuira.sier uniform, also git from the
original.