[Born 1805. Still living.]
The author, at an early age, of “Vivian Grey,” a novel. Has since
published many interesting works of the same kind, the most popular
being “Coningsby,” a book in which the political views of the writer are
interwoven in the tale of fiction. Mr. Disraeli has acquired greater
fame as a politician than as an author. By his own efforts, and by the
force of his great genius, he has risen to one of the highest offices of
state, having for a few months served his country as Chancellor of the
Exchequer. Mr. Disraeli is unequalled in the House of Commons for
sarcasm and invective; but he has other, better, more useful, and more
lasting qualities of a statesman. If the moral weight of Mr. Disraeli in
the country, is less than his talents would seem to claim, public
opinion is not so much to blame as Mr. Disraeli, for the discrepancy
between his acknowledged ability, and his place in the world’s
estimation.
[By W. Behnes.]