Macaulay [muhkawlee] (of Rothley) Essayist and historian, born in Rothley Temple, Leicestershire, England, UK. He was educated privately and at Cambridge, where he became a fellow. Called to the bar in 1826, he had no liking for his profession, and turned to literature. He also became an MP (1830), and established his powers as an orator in the Reform Bill debates. After a period in Bengal (1834-80), he became secretary of war (1839-41), and wrote the highly popular Lays of Ancient Rome (1842). His major work, the History of England from the Accession of James II , was published between 1848 and 1861, the fifth volume unfinished. He became a peer in 1857.