Craik

Craik, GEORGE LILLIE, a versatile and industrious author, born at Kenneway, Fife, in 1798, was educated for the church at St Andrews University, but, preferring a literary career, came to London in 1826, and formed a connection with Charles Knight. His first work of importance was the Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties (1831). He also contributed largely to the Penny Magazine and Cyclopædia, and in 1839 became editor of the Pictorial History of England, some of the most valuable chapters of which were written by himself. From these his Sketches of the History of Literature and Learning in England (6 vols. 1844) and his History of British Commerce (3 vols. 1844) were reprinted. In 1849 Craik was appointed to the chair of History and English Literature in Queen's College, Belfast, a situation which he occupied till his death on 25th June 1866. His other works include Spenser (1845), Baeon (1846-47), Romanze of the Peerage (1848-50), The English of Shakespeare (1856), History of English Language and Literature (1861; 9th abridged ed. 1883).—His youngest daughter, Georgina Marion (Mrs May), born in 1831, began to write at nineteen, and had at her death in 1895 published some thirty novels and stories.