published as the Nationalzeitung der Deutschen. In consequence of an article in the latter publication, he was arrested by the French and imprisoned at Magdeburg for seventeen months. His experiences during that period were admirably described in the interesting narrative entitled Beckers Leiden and Freuden in 17monatlicher französischer Gefangenschaft (1814) — a work of genuine historical merit. One of his publications, bearing the title of Not- und Hilfsbüchlein für Bauerleute, oder lehrreiche Freuden- und Trauergeschichte des Dorfes Mildheim (Gotha, 1787-98), became exceedingly popular.
BECKER, Valentin Eduard (1814-90). A German composer. He was born at Würzburg, where he became celebrated as a composer of popular male choruses (Das Kirchlein, etc.) . He also wrote several masses and two operas, entitled Die Bergknappen and Der Deserteur.
BECKER, Wilhelm Adolf (1796-1840). A German archæologist, born in Dresden. He was professor at Leipzig, and author of the famous stories of classical antiquity, Charikles (1840) and Gallus (1838; rev. ed. by Göll, 1880-82), in which he reproduced with an extraordinary, minute learning and deftness the familiar life of the days of Pericles and of Augustus. These are translated, with modifications, by Metcalfe (1886). They were suggested by the Anacharsis of J. J. Barthélemy (q.v.). Becker wrote, also, a good Latin treatise on Roman dramatic poetry, De Comicis Romanorum Fabulis (1837), and a useful Handbuch der römischen Alterthümer (1843-46).
BECKER, Wilhelm Gottlieb (1753-1813).
A German archæologist and author, born at
Oberkallenberg, Saxony, and educated at Leip-
zig. He became professor at the Ritterakade-
mie, in Dresden, in 1782. In 1795 he was ap-
pointed director of the Dresden Gallery of
Antiques, and of the Coin Cabinet, and in 1805
he was also intrusted with the superintendence
of the celebrated Green Vault. He published
Augusteum. Dresdens antike Denkmäler enthal-
tend (1832-37), with 162 engravings, Zweihun-
dert seltene Münzen des Mittelalters (1813),
and a large number of popular handbooks of
art.
BECKERATH, bek'c-riit,
Hermann von (1801-70). A Prussian statesman. He was born at Krefeld, in Rhenish Prussia, and after acquiring a considerable fortune in banking he turned his attention to politics. He served in the Diet of his province and in the Prussian Diet of 1847, and went as a deputy to the Frankfort Parliament of 1848, where he was an unswerving advocate of German unity and political liberty. His eloquence exercised considerable influence on this assembly. He was appointed Minister of Finance in the Ministry constituted for Germany under the auspices of the Parliament, and presently was called to Berlin to construct a Cabinet. He declined the task, because the King of Prussia would not give him a free hand in his scheme for the unification of Germany. When the reactionary movement set in. he resigned the posts he held under the Government, but continued, as a member of the Prussian Second Chamber, a vigorous opposition to the Manteuffel Ministry, which had deserted the cause of German unity. He withdrew from politics in 1852. After the return of Manteuffel to power in 1858, Beckerath was again elected a member of the Prussian Second Chamber, but was obliged to decline the honor on account of failing health. He devoted his later years to the affairs of Krefeld, his native town. Consult Kopstadt, Hermann von Beckerath (Brunswick, 1875).
BECKERS, bek'ers,
Hubert (1806-89). A German philosopher. He was born at Munich, and studied at the university there. In 1832 he was appointed professor of philosophy at the Lyceum at Dillingen, and in 1847 professor of philosophy at the University of Munich. He is chiefly known as an expositor of the philosophy of Schelling. His works include: Cantica Spiritualia (1845-47), Ueber die Bedeutung der Schellingschen Metaphysik (1861), Ueber die Bedeutung der Naturphilosophie Schellings (1864), and Aphorismen über Tod und Unsterblichkeit (1889).
BECK'ET, Thomas à (c. 1118-70). Archbishop of Canterbury, born in London. He was the son of a merchant and was educated at Merton Priory (Surrey), London, and Paris, and later studied canon law at Bologna and Auxerre. After earning his living for a time as a notary and clerk, he became connected with Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury, receiving two church livings and various offices. In 1155 Henry II. made Becket Chancellor of England. His duties were numerous and burdensome and were vigorously discharged. His style of living was ostentatious, and when necessary he equipped troops at his own expense and commanded them in person. On May 23, 1162, he was elected Archbishop of Canterbury, through the King's influence. His private life in the past had been above reproach, and as archbishop he was noted for his zeal, devotion, and piety. He soon came into conflict with the King. In 1163 he opposed the King in a matter of taxation, acting as the champion of the people. He also maintained vigorously all the prerogatives of the Church, in spite of the King's anger and hostility. Henry (1164) caused the Constitutions of Clarendon (q.v.) to be drawn up, embodying the ancient customs and laws of the country, but Becket refused to seal them, declaring them contrary to canon law. A contest followed, in which the archbishop firmly resisted the King's authority, whenever it conflicted with what he held to be the rights of the Church. Henry was determined to humble the archbishop, and under various pretexts mulcted him in large sums of money. Finally, when Becket, driven to desperation, appealed to the Pope, he was declared a traitor and compelled to flee secretly from England, November 2, 1164. For the next six years he remained in France. Henry confiscated Becket's property, and was threatened by him with excommunication and interdict. Various attempts at reconciliation were made in vain. Finally, in 1170, after the King's son had been crowned by the Archbishop of York, in direct opposition not only to custom and law, but also to the express commands of Becket and the Pope, Henry felt obliged to make terms. Becket, anxious to return to England, was promised the restoration of all his confiscated property. He landed in England on December 1, 1170, and immediately the struggle between King and prelate broke out anew. Becket refused to absolve the bishops who had taken part in the coronation, because, after having disobeyed the Pope, they were unwilling to swear to obey in the
