VIEUXTEMPS, HENRI, a Belgian composer; born in Verviers, Belgium, Feb. 20, 1820; began to give concerts in his 13th year, and after completing his studies at Vienna and Paris spent most of his time in traveling from place to place as a performer till in 1870 he became a teacher in the Brussels conser vatoire. He retired in 1873. His works comprise concertos, fantasies, and dances for the violin. He died June 6, 1881.
VIGFirSSON, GIIDBRAND, a Scandi navian scholar; born in Frakkanes, Ice land, March 13, 1827. He was educated first at the high school of Reikiavik, afterward at Copenhagen University. He lived in Copenhagen from 1849 till 1864, having devoted himself to the study of old Icelandic literature. His first work, "Timatal," on the chronol ogy of the Sagas, was published in 1855, and revealed the hand of a master. In 1858 he brought out the "Biskupa SOg-ur, or Lives of the Icelandic Bish ops," and in 1864 the "Eyrbyggja Saga." In the latter year he came to England to undertake the Icelandic-English lexi con, begun by Cleasby, and in 1866 be gan at Oxford this work, which kept him engaged for seven years, the result being the excellent dictionary issued from the Clarendon Press. In 1878 the Claren
don Press published his "Sturlunga Saga," to which he prefixed "Prole gomena" containing a complete history )f the classic literature of Iceland. This was followed by several minor works and essays by the "Orkneyinga Saga" and "Hakonar Saga" and by the "Corpus Poeticum Boreale" (in conjunc tion with F. York Powell), a complete collection of the ancient Icelandic poetry, with translation. He was lat terly engaged upon a work entitled "Origines Islandiw," but died before its completion. In 1884 he was appointed lecturer in Icelandic and kindred sub jects at the University of Oxford. He died in Oxford, England, Jan. 31, 1889.