DYER

dyer, thomas henry (1804-1888), english historical and antiquarian writer, was born in london on the 4th of may 1804. he was originally intended for a business career, and for some time acted as clerk in a west india house; but finding his services no longer required after the passing of the negro emancipation act, he decided to devote himself to literature. in 1850 he published the _life of calvin_, a conscientious and on the whole impartial work, though the character of calvin is somewhat harshly drawn, and his influence in the religious world generally is insufficiently appreciated. dyer's first historical work was the _history of modern europe_ (1861-1864; 3rd ed. revised and continued to the end of the 19th century, by a. hassall, 1901), a meritorious compilation and storehouse of facts, but not very readable. the _history of the city of rome_ (1865) down to the end of the middle ages was followed by the _history of the kings of rome_ (1868), which, upholding against the german school the general credibility of the account of early roman history, given in livy and other classical authors, was violently attacked by j.r. seeley and the _saturday review_, as showing ignorance of the comparative method. more favourable opinions of the work were expressed by others, but it is generally agreed that the author's scholarship is defective and that his views are far too conservative. _roma regalis_ (1872) and _a plea for livy_ (1873) were written in reply to his critics. dyer frequently visited greece and italy, and his topographical works are probably his best; amongst these mention may be made of _pompeii, its history, buildings and antiquities_ (1867, new ed. in bohn's _illustrated library_), and _ancient athens, its history, topography and remains_ (1873). his last publication was _on imitative art_ (1882). he died at bath on the 30th of january 1888.