Henry Thomas Buckle, an English author, born at Lee, Kent, Nov. 24, 1821, died in Damascus, Syria, May 29,1862. He was educated at Dr. Halloway's school in Kentish Town. Upon the death of his father in 1840 he inherited a considerable fortune, which enabled him to devote himself exclusively to literary pursuits. He collected a large library, read continually, and made copious notes. He acquired some knowledge of many languages, among which were French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Russian, and Danish. His principal recreations were chess and whist, at which games he was one of the best players in Europe. His reputation rests upon his " History of Civilization in England," the first volume of which was published in 1857, and the second in 1861. These two volumes contain only a portion of the introduction to a comprehensive work which he had in mind. Their literary merits were at once recognized; but the theory on which they were based elicited much discussion. In tracing the causes of the progress which had been made in civilization, he endeavored to show that the character of a people was chiefly dependent on material circumstances, such as soil, climate, scenery, and food, and that ideas on morals or religion had very little influence on civilization, progress in which, he maintained, depended chiefly on the growth and accumulation of scientific or positive knowledge.

He left England in October, 1861, and passed the winter on the Nile with the view of recruiting his health. In March, 1862, he set out upon a tour through Sinai, Petra, and Palestine, during which his death was caused by an attack of fever. His " Miscellaneous and Posthumous Works," with a biographical sketch by Helen Taylor, appeared in 1872 (3 vols. 8vo, London).