New-York tribune., 1901-06-11
SIR WALTER BESANT DEAD.
THE NOVELIST EXPIRES AFTER A FORT
NIGHTS ILLNESS FROM INFLUENZA.

London June 10.-Sir Walter Besant, the
novelist. died yesterday at his home. in Hamp-
stead after a fortnights illness from influenza.
He was 10 have attended the Atlantic Union
dinner tonight and propose the toast to Eng
lish Speaking Communities"
The author of -.An Sorts and Conditions Of Men"
,ss horn at Portsmouth in 1888. After his gradua-
-ion from Cambridge he appointed senior pro-
fsssor in the Royal College of Mauritius. III
tealrh brought about his resignation of this post.
and he returned 10 England and devoted himself TO
literature
HIS first work. Studies in Early French Poetry
was printed in 1865 and five years he published
The French Humorists.' These were followed by
..F2a heIais' Readings from Rabelais'' and GO
,igny' For years Besant acted as secretary Of the
palestine Exploration Fund. and in this capacity
ne wrote a History of Jerusalem" in collabora-
7ion with Professor Palmer, who was murdered by
Arabs and edited the great work The Survey OF
western Palestine" In 1871 ne associated himself
with James Rice, Editor OF Once a Week" and
fhe two wrote series Of books which had great
rroDularity. Perhaps the most popular OF the
RReeesant-Rice novels were Ready Money Mortiboy'
~ Celia's Arbor' and The Golden Butterfly
IRE TWO authors also colaborated in several plays
which attained ephemeral popularity upon the
70 the magazines. many of their papers relating to
Among The novels written BY Sir Water @ Bes9Rt 5t
alone the earllest were me htNot ot MI; aS
Men OF which the last attracted great PUBLIC at
Peoples Palace in the East End Of London ,,Il Al
IN q Garden Fair Dorothy Foster, Uncle
lack" and Children Of Gibeon' followed quickly
one after the other, and then came The World
STenr VERY Well Then" which had large crcula-
rion The Bell of ST Paul's.' 'Arnorel OF Lyon
,7esse st Katherine's by the Tower The ivory
Gate and The Rebel Queen" We're all popular.
hui none Of them were IN so great demand as
:.f3eyond the Dreams of Avarice,, which was re-
s-arde6 as one of the best of Sir Walters produc-
Tions Later books We're The Master Craftsman
ssThe City OF Refuge "A Fountain Sealed and
'"The Chaneelng," and several volumes OF shor'
stories, mostly reprints; ,-,. =, ,Oos -o,a
hook on the people Of London, another on the CITY
nj Westminster and on London. His 'ttise OF
ne British Empire" appeared in 1881 -.
his earliest writings were studies IN French NJ
srsrfre the work Of his later years dealt NANNY
Wis n ne history and life Of London -,
NIr Fesanr became Sir Walter in 1875, MS knls
hood being one Of the birthday honors conferred ny
Tor5 Rosebery. who at the same Ilne testlheo 20
his ap0reciation of literature and dramauc ART bE
i[nfphting Henry Irving and Lewis MOTIFS. ..t ne
Tes The first chairman of the executive coniii11e
n the Society Of Authors. was Editor OF me
sutbor' and did much 10 make pleasant the IeIa-
+ions Of authors and publishers. He was also prom
s-e1t in The formation Of the Atlantic union.
founded for the purpose Of enterta nlng ~
and colonial visitors in England he visited '"e
United States in 1893.