ALISON, SIR ARCHIBALD (1792-1867). A British lawyer, historian, and writer. lie was born at Kenley, Shropshire. December 29, 1792. In 1805 he entered Edinburgh University, where he obtained highest honors in Greek and mathe matics. Be was called to the bar in 1814, and, owing to friendly influence, presently made a handsome income, which enabled him to travel on the Continent, then sought by many young men who desired to visit the scenes of the wars against .Napoleon. From 1822-30 he was advo cate-deputy, and made his appearance as a writer on law. polities, and literature. In 1835 he set tled near Glasgow, as sheriff of Lanarkshire. an office conferred on him the preceding year, and began systematic and unremitting public and lit erary work. His History of Europe, a popular rather than a profound book (10 volumes), begun in 1S29. finished in 1842. achieved a great suc cess. For the sixth edition, published in 1844, the author received 2000 guineas. By 1848, 100,
000 copies had been sold in the United States. It was translated into several languages, includ ing French, German, and even Arabic. A contin uation of the History for the period 1815-52, 9 volumes, was completed in 1859. His other works, Life of the Duke of Marlborough (1S45), The Principles of Population (1840), etc.. though less successful, attracted wide notice. In 1845 he was elected Lord Rector of Marischal College. and in 1851 of Glasgow University. He was made D.C.L. of Oxford University, and in 1852 received a baronetcy. In politics he was an arch Tory. He continued his labors, in health and strength, almost to the day of his death, Slay 23, 1867. Over one hundred thousand persons attended his funeral. Consult his Autobiography, edited by his daughter-in-law (Edinburgh, 1883).