BENT, JAMES THEODORE

(1852— 97), Eng. author and traveler; with his wife made extensive journeys in Italy, South Africa, Asia Minor, Eng. botanist, nephew of Jeremy B.; ed. in France; called to bar; author of important work on logic, numerous botanical papers, and, in collaboration with Sir Joseph Hooker, of Genera Plant arum, a masterpiece of systematic bot. Eng. writer on law and political econcalled to Bar but refused to plead; gave himself wp to philosophical writing, publishing Fragment on Government, Or @ Comment on the Commentaries (1776), against Black stone’s conception of per= fection of Eng. constitution; Principles of Morals and Legislation came out in 1789, Defence of Usury 1816; established Westminster Review, 1823.