The Times/1893/Obituary/Richard Crawley

Layout 2The Athenæum says:—"We greatly regret to hear of the decease of Mr. Richard Crawley, the author of 'Horse and Foot.' He was educated at University College, Oxford, and graduated in 1865, having taken a first both in 'Mods' and 'Greats,' and soon afterwards he became a Fellow of Worcester College. 'Horse and Foot,' one of the most brilliant satires of the school of Pope that the second half of this century has produced, appeared in 1868. 'Venus and Psyche, and other Poems' was published in 1871, but hardly realized the promise of its predecessor. In 1874 Mr. Crawley brought out an able and vigorous translation of Thucydides, which did not meet with quite the recognition it deserved. 'The Younger Brother,' an interesting attempt in the style of the Elizabethan dramatists, appeared in 1878. To an earlier date belongs a most ingenious set of mnemonic rhymes for the use of those who find French genders a difficulty, copies of which are cherished by those lucky enough to possess them. Of late years Mr. Crawley had been much occupied with life insurance, business, and had little time to spare for literature. Epigrams and short snatches of verse, mostly political, appeared at intervals from his pen in the Conservative papers, but, to the sorrow of his friends, nothing on a scale worthy of his really remarkable abilities. A man of singularly ready wit, keen judgment, and great knowledge, he will long be lamented by those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance."