* CUNNINGHAM, PETER, the eldest son of Allan Cunningham, was born in Pimlico, April 7, 1816. He was educated at a private school, and when only eighteen years of age he entered the public service as a junior clerk in the Audit Office, a situation bestowed upon him by Sir Robert Peel as a tribute to the merits of his father.
The duties of his office were ao efficiently fulfilled as to occasion his promotion in 1854 to one of the chief clerkships. Mr. P. Cunningham commenced his literary career before entering office by the publication in 1833 of The Life of Drummond of Hawthornden.' This was followed in 1835 by 'Songs of England and Scotland,' in 2 vole.; and in 1841 by a new edition of Campbell's 'Specimens of tho British Poets,' with additions, in 1 vol. In 1849 his Handbook of London' was published, in 2 vole.; and a second edition with additions and corrections, in 1 voL, iu 1850. This work, though condensed in its descriptions, is fuller of valuable information founded upon extensive research than many works far more voluminous. But, at the sumo time, it is not a- dry catalogue of places and persons ; it abounds in brief but valuable anecdotes that illustrate political and literary history, and present curious pictures of manners. For these we are
always referred to authorities, with precise dates. No topographical work was ever compiled with greater care. Mr. Cunningham has also edited, for Mr. Murray's Library of British Classics,' the Works of Oliver Goldsmith,' in 4 vola., 1854; and 'Johnson's Lives of the Poets,' with additional lives, in 3 vols., 1854.
Mr. Cunningham has, in addition to being a contributor to many periodical works—' Fraser's Magazine,' Household Words,' the 'Athenceum,' the Illustrated News,' &c. &c.—written the following works The handbook to \Vestmineter Abbey,' 1812 ; ' The Life of Inigo Jones; published by the Shakepere Society in 1S48; ' Modern London,' 1851 ; Prefatory Memoir of J. M. W. Turner,' prefixed to John Burnet's ' Turner and his Works,' 1852; and 'The Story of Nell Gwynn,' 1852.