MCCARTHY’S “History of Our Own Times,” published in 1878–1880, won him an honorable place among the prose writers of his generation, and he has increased his reputation by his work as an essayist. He has been long a favorite contributor to the leading English reviews, chiefly on subjects which require historical research. He was born at Cork, Ireland, November 22d, 1830, and has been not less prominent in the politics of the Irish Home Rule movement than in literature. On the fall of Parnell in 1890, McCarthy succeeded to the leadership of the Irish Parliamentary party and acquitted himself with credit. Besides the “History of Our Own Times,” he has published, among other books, the “History of the Four Georges,” 1884; “The Epoch of Reform,” 1882; and a number of novels, several in collaboration with Mrs. Campbell-Praed.