BROWNING, ROBERT.  Born at Camberwell, Eng., May 7, 1812; died at Venice,
  Italy, Dec. 12, 1889.  Educated at home and at London University; well
  trained in music.  Travel in Russia 1833; considered diplomatic career;
  trip to Italy 1838; married Elizabeth Barrett 1846, and during her
  life time resided chiefly at Florence, Italy.  After her death in 1861,
  he lived in London and Venice.  Among his works are “Pauline,”
  “Paracelsus,” “Strafford,” “Sordello,” “A Blot in the ’Scutcheon,”
  “Colombe’s Birthday,” “Dramatis Personae,” “A Soul’s Tragedy,” “Luna,”
  “Men and Women,” “The Ring and the Book,” “Fifine at the Fair,” “The
  Inn-Album,” “Dramatic Idyls,” and “Asolando.” Man, Bird, and God;
  Pippa’s Song; Prospice; Rabbi Ben Ezra.

BURNS, ROBERT.  Born at Alloway, near Ayr, Scotland, Jan. 25, 1759; died
  at Dumfries, Scotland, July 21, 1796.  Received little education;
  drudgery on a farm at Mt.  Oliphant 1766-77; on a farm at Lochlea
  1777-84, during which time there was a period of loose living and bad
  companionship; at the death of his father he and his brother Gilbert
  rented Mossgiel farm near Mauchline, where many of his best poems were
  written; winter of 1786-7 he visited Edinburgh, and was received into
  the best society; winter of 1787-8 revisited Edinburgh but rather
  coolly received by Edinburgh society; 1788 married Jean Armour, by
  whom he had previously had several children.  Took farm at Ellisland
  1788; became an excise officer 1789.  Removed to Dumfries 1791; later
  years characterized by depression and poverty.  Some of his best-known
  poems are “The Holy Fair,” “The Cotter’s Saturday Night,” and “Tam
  O’Shanter”; wrote many of the most popular songs in the English
  language. A Man’s a Man for A’ That; Borrowing Trouble; The Gift.

BYRON, LORD (George Gordon Byron).  Born at London, Jan. 22, 1788; died
  at Missolonghi, Greece, Apr. 19, 1824, and buried in parish church at
  Hucknell, near Newstead.  Born with a deformed foot; much petted as a
  child; inherited title and estate at death of his granduncle, William,
  fifth Lord Byron, 1798.  Studied at Harrow and at Cambridge University,
  receiving M.A. degree 1808.  Traveled in Portugal, Spain, Greece, and
  Turkey 1809-11.  In 1815 married Anna Milbanke, who left him 1816.  In
  1816 met Miss Clairmont at Geneva, who bore him an illegitimate
  daughter, Allegra, 1817; in 1819 met Teresa, Countess Guiccioli, at
  Venice, and remained with her during his stay in Italy.  Joined the
  Greek insurgents 1823, and died of a fever in their cause of freedom
  from the Turks.  Among his works are “Hours of Idleness,” “English
  Bards and Scotch Reviewers,” “Childe Harold,” “The Giaour,” “The
  Corsair,” “The Prisoner of Chillon,” “Cain,” “Manfred,” and “Don
  Juan.” Serenity.