Buckle Henry Thomas (11.11.1821)

Eminent historian and leading mid-nineteenth-century British amateur. Hampered from childhood by persistent ill-health, he nevertheless became a distinguished scholar who spoke seven and read twelve languages. Buckle won what was perhaps the first of all chess tournaments-the Divan tourney of 1849 defeating Elijah Williams (+2) in the second round. In match play he defeated Lionel Kieseritsky in 1848 (+3=3-2) and Johann Loewenthal in 1851 (+4=1-3). He also won a match against Howard Staunton in 1843 (6 to 1) receiving odds of pawn and move. Although he is usually classed as second only to Staunton among English players Wilhelm Steinitz regarded Buckle as a better player, and Adolf Anderssen said he was the strongest player he had ever met. After 1851 Buckle rarely played in serious competitions, complaining that the game overtaxed his stamina, but remained a devotee of the Divan where he enjoyed casual games at odds. He began his great historical work for which he is still remembered: A History of Civilization in England, in the 1850s, caught typhoid fever in Damascus and died prematurely. The first two volumes of his book were published in 1857 and 1861. The major part of his work was published posthumously.