BELLOC, JOSEPH HILAIRE PIERRE ), British author, was born at La Celle, St. Cloud, France, July 27 187o, the son of a French barrister, Louis Swanton Belloc. His mother, Bessie Rayner Parkes (1829-1925), was prominent in the early days of the woman suffrage movement. Belloc was edu cated at the Oratory school, Edgbaston, then, as a French citizen, served with the artillery at Toul, afterwards entering Balliol col lege, Oxford, in 1893. He was naturalized in 1902. He was M.P. for Salford from 1906 to 191o, first as a Liberal then as an Independent.
Verses and Sonnets (1896) launched Belloc on a varied, not to say tempestuous, literary voyage. Historical studies of Danton (1899) and Robespierre (19o1) first proved his lively historical sense and compelling prose style. His independence of mind in politics showed itself at Oxford, later as a staunch opponent of the South African War and again in the circumstances of his retire ment from parliamentary politics; it was shown too, in his asso ciation with Cecil Chesterton in conducting The Eye Witness, and in writing The Party System (191I), and The Servile State (I 912). Books of nonsense rhymes, such as The Bad Child's Book of Beasts (1896) ; The Path to Rome (1902) ; satires such as Mr. Clutterbuck's Election (1908) and The Mercy of Allah (1922); numerous volumes of essays and travel sketches; collected poems (1924) ; military and topographical studies; and The Cruise of the Nona (1925)—these are samples of a great versatility of talent. As an upholder of nationalism and the Catholic tradition Belloc has summed up his attitude best in The Jews (1922), Europe and the Faith (192o), and How the Reformation Happened (1928). His works on French history include Marie Antoinette (19o9), Richelieu (1929) and Joan of Arc (1929). He is also the author of a History of England (4 vols., 1925-31).