DEATH OF DR.O. W. HOLMES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2120, 11 October 1894, Page 17

DEATH OF DR.O. W. HOLMES.

Washington, October 8. Olivier Wendell Holmes, the poet, is dead. Dr Holmes died suddenly in an armchair -while chatting to his eon.

Oliver Wendell Holme 3, son of the Rev. Abiel Holmcfl, author of "Annals of America," was born at Cambridge, Mass., August 29, 1809. After receiving the usual preliminary training, he entered Harvara College, from which hegraauated in 1829, ana devoted himself to the study of the law, which he exchanged for medicine. Having attended the hospitals in Farta ana other foreign capitals, be commenced practice in Boston in 1835, ana the next year receivea the aegree of MD. In 18S8 was electea professor of anatomy ana physiology in Dartmouth College, which position lie resigned two years later ; in 1847 was appointed to a similar professorship in Harvara College, and in 1819 retired from general practice to devote timself to authorship. As early as 1836 lire -contributions in verse appeared in various periodicals, ana his reputation as a poet was established by the delivery of a metrical essay ■entitlea " Poetry," which was followea by others 'in rapid succession. As a writer of songs, lyrics, and poem?, for festive occasions he occupied the first place. He is also a popular lecturer. In 1857 ' he commencea in the Atlantic Monthly" a Beries.of brilliant articles under the title of "The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," wbich were followed by "The Professor at the Breakfast Table," and in 1872 by " The Poet at the Breakfast Table." In the meantime appeared "Elsie Tenner : A Romance of Destiny " (1861), " Songs in Many Keys" (1864), "Soundings from the Atlantic" (1864), "The Guaraian Angel" (1868), ana "Mechanism in Thought ana Morals " (1870). Dr Holmes was also distinguished for his researches in auscultation ana microscopy, ana had contributed largely to medical literature.— "Men -of the Time."

The Benevolent Trustees have exceeded their requisition by £400 fox the half-year^