Thomas Babington Macaulay, the great historian of England, was born at Rothley, near Leicester, in 1800, and was named Thomas Babington after his uncle. Macaulay was a member of Parliament first for Colne, then for Leeds. In 1842 he gave to the world his spirited "Lays of Ancient Rome." Lord Macaulay excelled as a poet and essayist, but he is chiefly illustrious as a historian. During later years his health made work increasingly difficult for him. He died in December 1859 at the age of 59.