RANEE 430 RANTERS in this work, and returned with a mass of the most valuable historical materials. The results of his labors were seen in "The Princes and Peoples of Southern Europe in the 16th and 17th Centuries" (1827), and other books dealing with Serbia, Turkey, and Venice; and "The Roman Popes in the 16th and 17th Cen- turies" (1834-1837; 9th ed. 1889), per- haps the most finished of his books. Then he turned his attention to central and northern Europe, and wrote in quick succession "German History in the Early Reformation" (1839-1847) ; "Twelve Books on Prussian History" (1847- 1848); "History of the French" (1852- 1861); "English History" (1859-1867); and "German History from the Refor- mation to the Thirty Years' War" (1869). Later periods and special periods of German history are treated of in books on the "Origin of the Seven Years War" (2d ed. 1874) ; the "German Powers and the Confederation" (1871) ; the "History of Germany and France in the 19th Cen- tury" (1887), and monographs on Wal- lenstein (1869), Frederick the Great and Frederick William IV. (1878). To the above must be added a book on the revolutionary wars of 1791 and 1792 (1875), another on Venetian history (1878), and "The Universal History," of whose nine volumes (1881-1888) he lived to see only seven published. This last work, which is the copestone of Ranke's historical labors, was begun when he was an old man of 82 ; yet at that great age he kept two schooled historical as- sistants busy, studied critically the Greek and other sources, dictated and worked 8 to 10 hours a day, and pub- lished one volume a vear regularly, till he died, May 23, 1886, having rested from his beloved work only a few short days. Even his long life — he was over 90 when he died— would hardly have sufficed for the thorough works he ac- complished had he not been a man of un- wearied industry, with a marvelous memory, and a swift and intuitive judgment as to the value of historical material. His style is not brilliant, yet sufficiently clear and interesting. He al- ways wrote from the standpoint of one who had the whole history of the world before his mind's eye. This and his skill in the portraiture of historical per- sonages often lend the deepest interest to his narratives. His point of view was, however, that of the statesman ; and he fails to give due prominence to the social and popular sides of national develop- ment. Ranke married an Irish lady in 1843, and was ennobled in 1865. He continued to lecture till 1872. His lec- tures exercised a grpat influence upon those who sat at his feet to learn, as is seen in the works of the great school of historical writers, Waitz, Von Sybel, Giesebrecht, and others. A collected edition of his "Works" was published at Leipsic in 47 volumes in 1868. He died in Berlin, May 23, 1886. RANNOCH, LOCH, a lake of Perth- shire, Scotland, 35 miles N. N. W. of Perth, 11 miles long, and about 1 mile average breadth. It contains two islands and has an outlet for its waters in the Tummel, a tributary of the Tay. RANSDELL, JOSEPH EUGENE, United States Senator from Louisiana; born in Alexandria, La., in 1858. He re- ceived his education at Union College in New York State. In 1883 he was admitted to the bar in Louisiana, and practiced law until his election as a Dem- ocrat to the National House of Represent- atives in 1899. He represented his dis- trict in Congress 13 years until he was elected to the Senate, to which body he was re-elected in 1918. Senator Rans- dell vigorously opposed the Underwood- Simmons Tariff bill as he considered it unfair to the sugar interests of his State. He was also active in furthering the in- terests of an American Merchant Marine and for improved waterways. RANSOM, in ordinary language, re- lease from captivity or bondage by pay- ment. Also the money paid for the release of a person from captivity, bond- age, or slavery, or for the redemption of goods captured by an enemy. Or a price paid or offering made for procuring the pardon of sins, and the redemption of the sinner from the consequences of sin (Mark x: 45). Formerly, atonement, expiation. In feudal law, a sum paid for the pardon of some great offense, and the discharge of the offender; or a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment. RANSOM, THOMAS EDWARD GREENFIELD, an American military officer; born in Norwich, Vt., Nov. 29, 1834. Before the Civil War he was an engineer in Illinois; became a lieutenant- colonel of volunteers in July, 1861; was severely wounded at Fort Donelson in 1862; commanded a regiment at Shiloh in April, 1862; was promoted Brigadier- General in January, 1863 ; served under General Banks in the Red River expedi- tion; and was severely wounded at Sa- bine Cross-Roads, La., in April, 1864. When his wound had healed he joined Sherman's army and took command of a division just before the capture of At- lanta, Sept. 2, 1864. He died in Rome, Ga., Oct. 29, 1864. RANTERS, a name given by way of reproach to a denomination of Christians which sprang up in 1645. They called
