Douce

Douce, FRANCIS, an eccentric and learned antiquary, born in London in 1757, whose easy circumstances allowed him from an early age to give himself entirely to his favourite studies. He was some time keeper of the MSS. in the British Museum, and died 30th March 1834, bequeathing his splendid collection of books, MSS., prints, and coins to the Bodleian; his curiosities to Sir Samuel R. Meyrick; and his letters and commonplace-books to the British Museum, in a chest not to be opened till 1900. Some of his works are of enduring value from their honesty and learning. Of these the chief are Illustrations of Shakespeare (2 vols. 1807) and The Dance of Death (1833). He contributed to the Archæologia and Gentleman's Magazine, edited two books for the Roxburgh Club (1822 and 1824), and assisted in Scott's Sir Tristram, J. T. Smith's Vagabondiniana (1817), and the edition of Warton's History of English Poetry issued in 1824.