Thomas Babington Macaulay
Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron Macaulay, in full Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron Macaulay of Rothley, (born October 25, 1800, Rothley Temple, Leicestershire, England—died December 28, 1859, Campden Hill, London), English Whig politician, essayist, poet, and historian best known for his History of England, 5 vol. (1849–61); this work, which covers the period 1688–1702, secured his place as one of the founders of what has been called the Whig interpretation of history. He was raised to the peerage in 1857.