Grote, groht, George (1794-1871), wrote his famous 12-volume History of Greece (1846-1856) after he had retired as a London bank manager. The work quickly became a classic, though later research has shown inaccuracies. Grote worked actively for political and social reforms. He was a member of Parliament from 1832 to 1841 and helped found the University of London. He was born near Beckenham in Kent, England.