Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bland, Robert (1779?-1825)

by Arthur Henry Bullen

BLAND, ROBERT (1779?–1825), the younger, classical scholar, son of Robert Bland [q. v.], was born about 1779. He was educated at Harrow and at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1802. On leaving Cambridge he entered holy orders, and became an assistant-master at Harrow. After some years he resigned his mastership, and was engaged as reader and preacher at some London chapels. Later he was appointed minister to the English church at Amsterdam but 'the circumstances of the times not permitting him to fulfill the objects of his appointment,' he came back to England, and received, in 1813, the curacy of Pittlewell, Essex, which he exchanged in 1816 for the curacy of Kenilworth. He died at Learnington 12 March 1825, leaving a widow and nine children. As a classical scholar and teacher he was much esteemed in his day. His 'Elements of Latin Hexameters and Pentameters,' which has been frequently reprinted, is still a useful manual of instruction; and his 'Translations, chiefly from the Greek Anthology, with Tales and Miscellaneous Poems,' 1806, 8vo, attracted considerable notice. Bland's other works are

1. 'Edwy and Elgiva, poems,' 1808, 8vo.
2. 'The Four Slaves of Cythera, a Poetical the Romance,' 1809, 8vo.
3. 'A Collection of the Most Beautiful Poems of the Minor Poets of Greece,' 1813, 8vo.
4. 'Collections from the Greek Anthology,' &c. 1813, 8vo.
5. A translation, made in conjunction with Miss Plumptre, of the 'Memoirs of Baron de Grimm' and 'Diderot,' 2 vols. 1813, 8vo.

Byron complimented Bland in 'English Bards and Scotch Reviewers.' Some interesting letters of Bland's are printed in 'Memoirs of Francis Hodgson,' i. 232-249.

[Gent. Mag. xcv. 646; Hodgson's Memoirs; Watt.]

A. H. B.