Dictionary.net

An English novelist, dramatist, and poet; born in London, July 5, 1799; died there, April 20, 1887. At nineteen he began writing for English periodicals. His first poem was a versified chronicle, "The Legend of St. Loy". His eccentric genius evolved "The Descent Into Hell" in 1830, followed by "The Judgement of the Flood". His dramas are somewhat impressive, notably "Videna", and "Wife or No Wife". He wrote some good biographies, including a work on Savonarola, and is the author of "A Study of Shakespeare". Two romances, "Uxinal", and "Macee de Leodepart", the latter historic, have gone to third editions.