Bellenden William

Bellenden, William, was born between 1550 and 1560 at Lasswade, near Edinburgh. He became a professor of belles-lettres in Paris, where he also rendered Queen Mary diplomatic services. He was distinguished for the grace of his Latin style, and, according to Hallam, for his broad and philosophical views of history. His chief work, published 1615, is De Statu Prisci Orbis in religione, re politica. et litteris; his other writings have reference mostly to Cicero.