ARCHER

archer, william (1856- ), english critic, was born at perth on the 23rd of september 1856, and was educated at edinburgh university. he became a leader-writer on the _edinburgh evening news_ in 1875, and after a year in australia returned to edinburgh. in 1879 he became dramatic critic of the _london figaro_, and in 1884 of the _world_. in london he soon took a prominent literary place. mr archer had much to do with introducing ibsen to the english public by his translation of _the pillars of society_, produced at the gaiety theatre, london, in 1880. he also translated, alone or in collaboration, other productions of the scandinavian stage: ibsen's _doll's house_ (1889), _master builder_ (1893); edvard brandes's _a visit_ (1892); ibsen's _peer gynt_ (1892); _little eyolf_ (1895); and _john gabriel borkman_ (1897); and he edited _henrik ibsen's prose dramas_ (5 vols., 1890-1891). among his critical works are:--_english dramatists of to-day_ (1882); _masks or faces?_ (1888); five vols. of critical notices reprinted, _the theatrical world_ (1893-1897); _america to-day, observations and reflections_; _poets of the younger generation_ (1901); _real conversations_ (1904).