The Scholarly Odyssey
A deep dive into the life and prolific contributions of Charles Duke Yonge, a distinguished Victorian polymath, renowned historian, classicist, and academic.
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His Life
Birth and Demise
Charles Duke Yonge, an eminent English historian, classicist, and cricketer, was born on November 30, 1812, in Eton, Berkshire. He passed away on his 79th birthday, November 30, 1891, and was subsequently interred in Belfast.[1]
Family Background
He was the eldest of eight children born to the Reverend Charles Yonge (1781โ1830) and Elizabeth Lord (d. 1868), who married on December 4, 1811. His paternal grandparents were Duke Yonge and Catherine Crawley, while his maternal grandparents were Joseph Lord and Corbetta Owen of Pembroke, South Wales. His younger brother was George Edward Yonge.[2]
Marital Union
In 1837, Charles Duke Yonge married Anne Bethell, establishing a personal life alongside his burgeoning academic and literary career.
Academia
Educational Journey
Yonge's distinguished academic path began at Eton College. At the age of eighteen, he was awarded a foundation scholarship at King's College, Cambridge, where he studied from 1831 to 1833. He later matriculated at St. Mary's Hall, Oxford, on May 17, 1834, an institution that was subsequently incorporated into Oriel College. He achieved a first-class honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics in December 1834. Decades later, in 1874, he earned his Master of Arts degree from Keble College, Oxford.[1]
Professorial Role
His academic career culminated in a professorship at Queen's College, Belfast, where he served as a Professor of History and English Literature starting in 1866. This role allowed him to impart his extensive knowledge and scholarly insights to a new generation of students, solidifying his position within the academic community.[1]
Cricket
A Brief Sporting Interlude
Beyond his intellectual pursuits, Charles Duke Yonge also engaged in the sport of cricket. During the 1836 season, he played for Oxford University, demonstrating a diverse range of talents. In his three matches, he accumulated a total of 85 runs and successfully caught one player out, showcasing a brief but notable presence in collegiate sports.[3]
His Works
Contributions to History
Charles Duke Yonge was a prolific author, contributing significantly to the field of modern history. His works often focused on biographical accounts of prominent figures and comprehensive historical narratives of nations and institutions.
Translations
Bridging Ancient and Modern Thought
As a distinguished classicist, Yonge undertook the significant task of translating numerous classical works, making them accessible to a wider English-speaking audience. His translations primarily focused on Roman and Greek philosophical and historical texts.
Lexicons
Contributions to Language
Yonge's scholarly endeavors extended to the realm of philology, where he contributed to the creation of dictionaries. These linguistic tools were invaluable for students and scholars of classical languages, reflecting his commitment to educational resources.
- A phraseological English-Latin dictionary, for the use of Eton [and other schools] and King's College, London (1856)
- An English-Greek lexicon
Edited
Curating Literary Collections
In addition to his original writings and translations, Charles Duke Yonge also served as an editor for several significant literary collections. His editorial work helped to preserve and disseminate important historical and literary texts, further cementing his influence in the academic world.
- Letters of Horace Walpole, 2 vols.
- Essays Of John Dryden
- Three Centuries of English Literature
- A gradus ad Parnassum: For the use of Eton, Westminster, Harrow, and Charterhouse schools, King's college, London, and Marlborough college (1850)
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References
References
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional historical or academic advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consulting original historical documents, scholarly journals, or engaging with qualified historians and classicists for in-depth research. Always refer to primary sources and reputable academic works for specific research needs. Never disregard professional academic guidance because of something you have read on this website.
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