Charles J. Billson Explained

Charles James Billson (1858–1932) was a translator, lawyer, and collector of folklore.

Billson was born in Leicester, graduated from Oxford University, and died in Heathfield in Sussex. He is buried in All Saints Church yard.

His works include a translation of Virgil's Aeneid, and a noted paper on the Easter Hare. He began a correspondence with Herman Melville, after requesting a reading list from the author, and introduced him to works by the then obscure poet James Thomson. Billson forwarded his correspondence to Melville's biographers.[1]

Charles J. Billson was President (1893–94) of the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society.[2]

His publications included:-

Notes and References

  1. Book: Gale, Robert L.. A Herman Melville encyclopedia. 15 February 2011. 1995. Greenwood Publishing Group. 978-0-313-29011-4. 39–40.
  2. http://www.le.ac.uk/litandphil/presidents/1893.html "Presidents: Charles James Billson"