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    456 Results with the "Biography" genre


    • I -Records of a family of engineers Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter II of "Records of a Family of Engineers" chronicles the dedicated endeavors of Thomas Smith and Robert Stevenson in establishing and maintaining lighthouses along Scotland's perilous coasts, showcasing a profound contrast between their adventurous engineering pursuits and the domestic tranquility of their family lives. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Scottish coastline, notorious for its shipwrecks, was predominantly unlit, save for an ancient beacon on the Isle of May. Undertaking…
    • CHAPTER I DOMESTIC ANNALS Cover
      by LovelyMay In 1665, James Stevenson, likely a tenant farmer from Nether Carsewell, Renfrewshire, married Jean Keir. Their son, Robert Stevenson, was born in 1675 and later became a maltster in Glasgow. In 1710, Robert remarried Elizabeth Cumming, with whom he had a son named Robert in 1720, also a maltster. The narrative traces the lineage to Hugh Stevenson (born 1749) and Alan Stevenson (born 1752), focusing on their lives, early deaths, and ventures in the West Indies, which included a hunt for a deceitful agent…
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      INTRODUCTION

      INTRODUCTION Cover
      by LovelyMay The Stevenson surname, with its of variations like Stevinstoun, Stevensoun, and Stewinsoune, was widespread in Scotland from the 13th century. However, by 1700, the presence of land owned by Stevensons in Scotland was almost nonexistent, with a few exceptions. The narrative provides a broad sketch of the Stevenson family, revealing a history of modest progress and near extinction. Despite the bleak outlook of the family's future, records uncover numerous Stevensons involved in Scottish history, albeit in…
    • Records of A Family of Engineers Cover
      by LovelyMay Records of a Family of Engineers by George H. B. Ward is a memoir detailing the history and accomplishments of the Ward family, focusing on their contributions to engineering and their involvement in significant projects, while also offering insights into their personal lives and values across generations.
    • II -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Memories and Portraits," the writer delves into the essence and methodology of novel writing, emphasizing that novels are not mere transcripts of life but rather focused simplifications of certain aspects of life. This simplification, as argued, is what constitutes a novel's merit—highlighting that complexity in character and plot, often admired in works by great authors, is underpinned by a foundational simplicity that contributes to their excellence. The discussion transitions to the contemporary…
    • I -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay In the chapter "A Humble Remonstrance," the author contemplates the intriguing perspectives of Mr. Walter Besant and Mr. Henry James on the art of fiction, despite their distinct differences as writers—James being meticulous and Besant more genially whimsical. Their agreement on discussing the "art of fiction" as a distinct entity from the "art of poetry" prompts a reflection on the true nature of fiction and its broader application across various art forms, suggesting that fiction permeates all arts,…
    • CHAPTER XV. A GOSSIP ON ROMANCE Cover
      by LovelyMay To him, as to the child, the romance which he contemplated sufficed for its own delight; words were but an instrument to call it up; if the words were true enough to bring him face to face with what he knew and saw, he cared not if they were inept, nor did he pause to seek the happiest phraseology. And hence it is that, while there are pages in his novels compared with which much of Homer and Shakespeare is spiritless and cold; while the scene at the spring in GUY MANNERING, and the nocturnal…
    • HAPTER XIV. A GOSSIP ON A NOVEL OF DUMAS’S Cover
      by LovelyMay In "A Gossip on a Novel of Dumas's," the author explores the enduring appeal and personal significance of re-reading favorite books, likening them to cherished friendships revisited for various reasons. Among his most revisited works are novels by Scott, Shakespeare, Moliere, Montaigne, "The Egoist," and "The Vicomte de Bragelonne" by Alexandre Dumas. He candidly shares his estrangement from once familiar authors like Wordsworth and Burns, and his fluctuating relationship with the works of Virgil and…
    • CHAPTER IX. THOMAS STEVENSON – CIVIL ENGINEER Cover
      by LovelyMay Thomas Stevenson, remembered more in professional circles than in public fame, made significant contributions to lighthouse engineering which impact mariners worldwide. Despite his limited presence in London and his preference for his Edinburgh surroundings, his innovations in lighthouse technology earned him recognition globally, even in places as remote as Peru, often being mistakenly associated more with literary achievements like those of his son, rather than his own technical advancements. Born in…
    • IV -Memories and Portraits Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Memories and Portraits," the narrator recounts his vivid memories of Earraid, an islet located near the Ross of Mull, framed by the Sound of Iona and the open sea. He first encountered Earraid through the perspective of a cabin port, where he observed its serene landscape and a simple, stone house surrounded by the life of its inhabitants. This initial encounter was part of a visit aimed at establishing a base for the construction of a lighthouse on a remote rock, Dhu-Heartach, to aid seafarers…
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