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The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Thomas Erskine May (1815–1886)
May, Thomas Erskine, Sir—Lord Farnborough. An English writer; born in London, Feb. 8, 1815; died in Westminster Palace, May 17, 1886. Most of his life was spent in the service of the House of Commons as librarian and clerk. His principal works are: ‘Constitutional History of England’ (3d ed. 1871); and ‘History of Democracy in Europe’ (2 vols., 1877). Besides these he reduced to order for the first time the ‘Rules, Orders, and Forms of the House of Commons’ (1854); published a ‘Treatise on the Law, Privileges, Proceedings, and Usage of Parliament’ (1844), which became a parliamentary textbook; etc.