Oxenford, JOHN

Oxenford, JOHN, dramatist and critic, was born in Camberwell in 1812, and was originally educated for the bar, but early turned to a life of letters, made himself familiar with French, German, and Spanish literature, and soon made his name known by admirable translations of such notable books as Goethe's Dichtung und Wahrheit and Eckermann's Conversations with Goethe. For his last thirty years he was dramatic critic for the Times, and his criticisms were ever characteristic of the genial kindness of his nature. He was a fluent and graceful writer, yet his original work suggested rather than demonstrated his powers as a critic. His Illustrated Book of French Songs (1855) showed a dexterous mastery of the lighter forms of verse. He wrote many plays, among them the Dice of Death, the Reigning Favourite, the Two Orphans, as well as the libretto for The Lily of Killarney, and one farce at least, Twice Killed, that became widely popular. He died February 21, 1877.