Taine, tayn, HIPPOLYTE ADOLPHE (1828-1893), a French historian and critic, born at Vouziers. In 1854 his first work, an Essay on Livy, was praised by the Academy; in 1864 he was appointed professor in the School of Fine Arts in Paris, and in 1878 he was elected to a seat in the Academy. His History of English Literature, one of the best and most philosophical works on the subject, appeared in 1864, and it was followed by English Idealism, English Positivism, The Philosophy of Art, Notes on England and The Origin of Contemporary France, this last a work of great research and value in three sections, dealing respectively with The Ancient Regime, The Revolution and The Modern Regime.