The New Student's Reference Work/White, Henry Kirke

White, Henry Kirke, an English poet, was born on March 21, 1785, at Nottingham. His mother's ambition led to his being educated as a lawyer instead of following his father's business. His first poems attracted the attention of the owner of the paper, who advised publication of them in book-form. The volume was cruelly treated by the critics, but brought him the friendship of Southey and a scholarship at Cambridge. He is best known by the hymn entitled The Star of Bethlehem. He died at college on Oct. 16, 1806. His poems were published by Southey, with a memoir, which attracted public attention and sympathy.