Значение слова RITSON в Литературной энциклопедии

JOSEPH (1752-1803).-Antiquary and critic, _b._ at Stockton-on-Tees, settled in London as a conveyancer, at the same time devoting himself to the study of ancient English poetry. By his diligence as a collector and acuteness as a critic he rendered essential service to the preservation and appreciation of our ancient poetry. His chief works are _A Collection of English Songs_ (1783), _Ancient Songs from Henry III. to the Revolution_ (1790), _A Collection of Scottish Songs_ (1794), and _A Collection of all the Ancient Poems, etc., relating to Robin Hood_ (1795). Of a jealous and quarrelsome temper, R. was continually in controversy with his fellow-collectors and critics, including Johnson, Warton, and Percy. His acuteness enabled him to detect the Ireland forgeries. He _d._ insane.