Thomas Carlyle

Life of John Sterling (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY.

Near seven years ago, a short while before his death in 1844, John Sterling committed the care of his literary Character and printed Writings to two friends, Archdeacon Hare and myself. His estimate of the bequest was far from overweening; to few men could the small sum-total of his activities in this world seem more inconsiderable than, in those last solemn days, it did to him. He had burnt much; found much unworthy; looking steadfastly into the silent continents of Death and Eternity, a brave man's judgments about his own sorry work in the field of Time are not apt to be too lenient. But, in fine, here was some portion of his work which the world had already got hold of, and which he could not burn. This too, since it was not to be abolished and annihilated, but must still for some time live and act, he wished to be wisely settled, as the rest had been. And so it was left in charge to us, the survivors, to do for it what we judged fittest, if indeed doing nothing did not seem the fittest to us. This message, communicated after his decease, was naturally a sacred one to Mr. Hare and me.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: CAIMAN
• Erscheinungstermin: 26. Juni 2019
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9789881831118
• Artikelnr.: 59024071

Autorenporträt

Thomas Carlyle was a Scottish essayist, historian, and philosopher who lived from 4 December 1795 to 5 February 1881. Carlyle learned to read from his mother, and arithmetic from his father. Carlyle travelled 100 miles from his home in November 1809, when he was about 14 years old, to attend the University of Edinburgh. John Leslie taught him mathematics, and John Playfair taught him science. He finished his studies in the arts in 1813 and enrolled in a theology study. In addition to founding the London Library, he made a substantial contribution to the National Portrait Galleries' establishment. Victorian literature was significantly affected by Carlyle's inventive writing style. He proposed the Great Man theory, a historical theory that holds that notable people have affected history. His "noble Chivalry of Work" political theory is characterised by medievalism. Carlyle heard abruptly of his wife's unexpected death while still in Scotland. He wrote memoirs of William Wordsworth, Robert Southey, Irving, and Jeffrey.His niece Mary, who served as his amanuensis, overheard him say his last words: "So this is Death-well."