Carlyle Thomas - short biography. Aphorisms, quotes, sayings, phrases Thomas Carlyle Carlyle historical works
Thomas Carlyle, one of the most famous English writers and publicists XIX century, born in 1795, in Puritan family of a village mason. Young Thomas attended a village school. In 1809, Carlyle went on foot to Edinburgh, entered the university, after which he taught. In 1826, he married Jan Welsh, who was outstanding for her intelligence, but whom he treated, however, rather selfishly. From 1828 to 1834, Carlyle lived on her estate, devoting himself to literary pursuits. He then moved to London, where he gave public lectures on German literature, became one of the most influential writers, in 1865 he was appointed rector of the University of Edinburgh. Thomas Carlyle died in 1881.
Carlyle began his literary career by popularizing German literature, translated “Wilhelm Meister” (1824, hence his correspondence with Goethe: Correspondence between Goethe and Carlyle, 1887), wrote a biography of Schiller (1825), published an anthology of works German romantics(German Romance, 1827). He was on his own philosophical views, an ill-conceived and confused follower of German idealistic philosophy (see his Sartor resartus). From literature Carlyle moved to history, wrote history french revolution(in which he saw the judgment of God), a work on Cromwell (“Letters and Speeches”, 1845) and Frederick II (1858 - 1865). In history, Thomas Carlyle saw the product of the creativity of great people - an idea that he developed in detail in lectures, then published in the book “On Heroes and the Heroic in History” (1841).
As the Chartist movement grew and the Revolution of 1848 loomed, Carlyle devoted more and more time and attention to the social question, devoting three works to it: Chartism (1840), Now and Before (1843) and Pamphlets. (Latter-Day Pamphlets, 1850). In his social pamphlets, Thomas Carlyle sharply criticized bourgeois society with its “mechanical” and “utilitarian” culture, cult natural sciences and political economy, with its literature serving to entertain the well-fed magnates, with its base interests, reduced to concerns about food and comfort, with its worship of Mammon, which supplanted God, with its economic doctrine of laissez aller (free competition), which led to “crop failures” , the Chartist movement, the proclamation of the Red Republic,” in a word to “chaos.” Revolting against the bourgeoisie, Carlyle armed himself even more sharply against the working class, which was striving to seize political power through universal suffrage (Chartism), since God created the universe, and therefore society, on the principles of “domination” and “subordination”, and not “equality”.
Thomas Carlyle. Photo 1854
Carlyle believed that only a new aristocracy, “new aristoi”, could save England from the reigning “chaos” and turn life into “cosmos” again. This class should include capitalists who understand that their purpose is not to hunt for profit, “like the Indians for scalps,” that supply and demand are not the only law of life, but wage not the only link connecting people is the intelligentsia, who realized that their calling is not to “entertain” (to engage in literature), but to “educate.” If these “leaders of industry”, who correctly understand their social responsibilities, become the head of society, the workers will willingly obey them, just as children obey their fathers. On such principles of paternal guardianship of the upper classes and voluntary submission of the lower classes, in Carlyle’s opinion, feudal society was built, which he opposed as an ideal and offered as a model to his contemporaries (in “Now and Before.”).
Carlyle's social philosophy greatly influenced writers such as Dickens, Kingsley, Mrs. Gaskell, Disraeli, Ruskin etc., and was to a certain extent implemented by the English bourgeoisie in the era of “ social world", which reigned in England after the Chartist unrest until the 1880s. Carlyle's collected works in 37 volumes were published in 1871 (People's Edition).
Literature about Thomas Carlyle
Masson, Carlyle. Personality and works
Garnett, Life of Thomas Carlyle
McPherson,
Schulze-Gevernitz, Carlyle. His view of the world and society
CARLYLE, THOMAS(Carlyle, Thomas) (1795–1881), English writer, philosopher. Born December 4, 1795 in Eclefechen (Scotland). He was brought up in strict Puritan rules, having received from his father, an uneducated mason and farmer, an unshakable conviction in the power of true religion and the importance of work, admiration for the power of reason, faith in legitimate authority and an eye for poetry and fiction like idle fun.
He received his primary education in Eclefechen and at a private school in the Scottish city of Ennana. In 1809 he entered the University of Edinburgh, where he prepared for a spiritual career, but instead received a degree in mathematics and from 1814 to 1818 he taught in Ennan, then in Kirkcaldy. In 1818 he returned to Edinburgh to study law, but paid more attention German language, history and philosophy. In 1820, Carlyle finally abandoned thoughts about the clergy, jurisprudence, mathematics and teaching, abandoned his intention to emigrate and decided to make a living through literary work.
In 1824 he published Schiller's biography and translations Geometry A. Legendre and the novel Student years Wilhelm Meister I.V. Goethe, who authorized his translation. In 1826 he married Jane Welsh and settled in Edinburgh, earning money by publishing in the Edinburgh Review and other magazines. In 1828, poor health and financial difficulties forced him to move to his wife's farm, where he lived until 1834, occasionally writing magazine articles, but mostly working on a novel Sartor Resartus. Life and Professor Teufelsdrek's opinions (Sartor Resartus. The Life and Opinions of Herr Teufelsdrockh). From 1834 Carlyle lived constantly in London, publishing books, essays, conversations and letters. Work was interrupted only by trips to Scotland for holidays, two trips to Germany (1852 and 1858), assumption of the honorary rectorship of the University of Edinburgh (1865–1866; the position did not require constant presence) and the death of his wife in 1866.
Carlyle's first work, which brought him wide fame, Sartor Resartus(Latin - recut tailor), published in Fraser's Magazine in 1833–1834, and published as a separate book in America (1836, foreword by R.W. Emerson) and London (1837). This philosophical and journalistic novel expressed the essence of Carlyle’s philosophy: modern world“dislocated”, because to solve his problems he chose the methods of scientific rationalism, instead of reviving the truth of the spirit. In 1837 the best appeared historical essay Carlyle History of French revolution (The French Revolution. A History), an epically extensive picture of the death of the decaying French aristocracy, which had lost its leading position in society and failed to carry out the necessary reforms to save itself.
In his book Chartism (Chartism, 1839) Carlyle urged the aristocracy to learn the lesson of the French Revolution by providing the masses with wise leadership, the key to prosperity and peace. He discussed this topic in more detail in the book. Heroes, hero cult and heroic in history (On Heroes, Hero Worship, and the Heroic in History, 1841). His main idea was that leadership belongs to heroes who become leaders due to a special spiritual make-up, and that the masses, if they are not seduced by false heroes, want one thing: to be guided by people of a higher order, chosen ones. “Hero Cult” and Patriarchal Utopia (book Now and before – Past and Present, 1843) became an obsession for him. In later books he especially insisted on the feasibility of his concept of leaders. So, bright portrait strong leader given in Letters and speeches Oliver Cromwell (Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches, 1845–1846); a number of recommendations for the eradication of specific social evils were presented Modern pamphlets (Latter Day Pamphlets) (1850); biography Life of John Sterling (The Life of John Sterling, 1851) glorified a man who personified impeccable truthfulness. Finally in the book Story Frederick the Second of Prussia(History of Frederick II of Prussia, 1858–1865) presented an idealized image of a hero-king.
Towards the end of his life, having become famous, Carlyle refused honors, including a noble title and a pension. In 1872 he accepted the Prussian Order of Merit, established by Frederick the Great, and in 1875 - an honorary degree Harvard University. Carlyle died in London on February 4, 1881. He was published posthumously Memoirs (Reminiscences).
Carlyle Thomas (1795-1881)
English writer, philosopher. Born in Eclefechen (Scotland). He was brought up in strict Puritan rules, having received from his father, an uneducated mason and farmer, an unshakable conviction in the power of true religiosity and the importance of work.
He received his primary education in Eclefechen and at a private school in the Scottish city of Ennana. In 1809 he entered the University of Edinburgh, where he prepared for a spiritual career, but instead received a degree in mathematics and from 1814 to 1818. taught in Ennan, then in Kirkcaldy. He soon returned to Edinburgh to study law, but paid more attention to German, history and philosophy. In 1820, Carlyle finally abandoned thoughts about the priesthood, law, mathematics and teaching, abandoned his intention to emigrate and decided to make a living through literary work.
In 1824 he published a biography of Schiller and translations of “Geometry” by A. Legendre and the novel “The Years of Wilhelm Meister’s Teaching” by I.V. Goethe, who authorized its translation. In 1826 he married Jane Welsh and settled in Edinburgh, earning money by publishing in the Edinburgh Review and other magazines.
In 1828, poor health and financial difficulties forced him to move to his wife's farm, where he lived until 1834, from where he moved to London, publishing books, essays, conversations and letters. Work was interrupted only by trips to Scotland for holidays, two trips to Germany, the assumption of the honorary rectorship of the University of Edinburgh and the death of his wife in 1866 a
Carlyle’s first work, which brought him wide fame, “Sartor Rezar-tus” (Latin: recut tailor), was published in Fraser Magazine and was published as a separate book in America and London.
In 1837, Carlyle's best historical work, “History of the French Revolution,” appeared. In his book Chartism, Carlyle urged the aristocracy to learn the lesson of the French Revolution by providing the masses with wise leadership, the key to prosperity and peace. He examined this topic in more detail in the book “Heroes, the cult of heroes and the heroic in history.” In later books he especially insisted on the feasibility of his concept of leaders. Thus, a vivid portrait of a strong leader is given in “The Letters and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell,” the biography “The Life of John Sterling.” In the book “The History of Frederick the Second of Prussia” an idealized image of the hero king appeared.
Towards the end of his life, having become famous, Carlyle refused honors, including a noble title and a pension. In 1872, he accepted the Prussian Order of Merit, established by Frederick the Great, and in 1875, an honorary degree from Harvard University. Carlyle died in London on February 4, 1881. His Memoirs were published posthumously.
Also Carlisle, English Thomas Carlyle
British writer, essayist, historian and philosopher of Scottish origin
short biography
(a less common, but more correct option is Carlyle) - an English writer of Scottish origin, novelist, critic, philosopher, publicist, historian, and excellent stylist who worked in the Victorian era.
The owner of such versatile talents was born in ordinary family, who lived in the Scottish village of Ecclefechen, December 4, 1795. Calvinist parents raised the boy with great severity, instilling respect for work and religion; Literary studies among them were considered self-indulgence. Thomas was educated first in his native village, then was a pupil private school city of Ennana.
At the age of 14, he became a student at the University of Edinburgh, fortunately, this was facilitated by the teenager’s obvious talent in the field humanities. His parents predicted a career for him clergyman, however, Thomas himself had no desire to take priestly orders. As a result, he became the holder of a degree in mathematics. Having graduated from the university in 1814, he worked as a mathematics teacher in provincial schools until 1818. Carlyle then returned to Edinburgh, where he began to study jurisprudence. However, German literature interested him much more, and already in 1820 the young man realized that his only desire and calling was literary activity, which he did from time to time while still studying to become a lawyer.
His literary debut began with the publication of Schiller's biography in 1824. In 1826, the main source of livelihood for Carlyle, who married in the same year, was collaboration with magazines. Problems with money and health forced him and his wife to move to the farm that belonged to her, where the writer devoted himself mainly to working on the work that brought him great fame - “Sartor Resatrus. The life and opinions of Professor Teufelsdreck" (1833-1834). The philosophical and journalistic novel became a conductor of the philosophy of Carlyle, who believed that the modern world was structured incorrectly, because, without reviving the truth of the spirit, he gave preference to scientific rationalism, which was harmful to him.
Since 1834, Carlyle's biography has been associated with London. In the English capital he lives a busy life creative life: his books, conversations, letters, journalistic essays are published one after another. In 1837, Thomas Carlyle’s essay “The History of the French Revolution” was published, which is considered his best historical work, the object of study of which was the death of the French aristocracy, which was unable to do anything to regain its position in society and carry out reforms for its own salvation existing system.
In the 40s in Carlyle's worldview there is a tilt towards conservative ideas, the denunciation of the capitalist system is losing its former sharpness. In 1841, his book “On Heroes and Hero Worship” was published, which had a noticeable impact on the entire European historical science: after her world history began to be considered in the context of the lives and activities of great personalities.
In 1865-1876 Carlyle is honorary rector of the University of Edinburgh, and this was the only position in his biography (and even then not requiring personal presence) that he ever held, since his life turned out to be entirely dedicated to creativity. By the end life path Carlyle became truly famous, but rejected noble title, pension and other regalia. He received only the Prussian Order of Merit (1875) and an honorary degree from Harvard University (1875). Thomas Carlyle died on February 4, 1881 in London.
Biography from Wikipedia
Thomas Carlyle(Also Carlisle, English Thomas Carlyle, 1795-1881) - British writer, publicist, historian and philosopher of Scottish origin, author of the multi-volume works “The French Revolution” (1837), “Heroes, Hero Worship and the Heroic in History” (1841), “The Life History of Frederick II of Prussia” "(1858-65). Professed the romantic “cult of heroes” - exceptional personalities like Napoleon, who through their deeds fulfill divine destiny and move humanity forward, rising above the crowd of limited ordinary people. Also known as one of the brilliant stylists of the Victorian era.
Start of activity
Born into a simple peasant family; destined for a spiritual career by his strict Calvinist parents, he entered the University of Edinburgh at the age of 14. Not wanting to be a priest, after completing a course at the university he became a mathematics teacher in the province, but soon returned to Edinburgh. Here, living on casual literary earnings, he intensively studied law for some time, preparing for the practice of law; but he quickly abandoned this too, becoming interested in German literature.
Essays on German literature
A translation of Goethe's Wilhelm Meister in 1824 and Schiller's Life in 1825 were Carlyle's first major works. They were followed critiques and translations from Jean-Paul.
Carlyle considered the "prophetic sorrow as deep as Dante's" disguised in the "sunny and refined Goethe" accessible only to a few mortals.
He gave a course of lectures on German literature, in 1838 - about European literature, in 1839 - on the topic “Revolution in modern Europe.” Last time taught the course in 1840. This was the only published and therefore extant course on the role of the hero in history. The list of heroes itself: Dante, Shakespeare, Luther, Napoleon, Cromwell, etc. These lectures brought some income to Carlyle, and after 1840 he no longer needed money and was rarely able to motivate him to speak.
A book about the French Revolution. Historical and philosophical views
The same originality as these works is distinguished by “The History of the French Revolution” (“French Revolution, a history”, 1837), the caustic pamphlet “Chartism” (1839), lectures on heroes and the heroic in history (“On Hero worship”, 1841) and historical and philosophical reflections “Past and present” (1843).
Without approaching any of the established ones political parties, Carlyle felt lonely and thought for some time about publishing his own magazine to preach his “believer radicalism.” All of Carlyle’s works are imbued with the desire to reduce the progress of mankind to the lives of individual outstanding personalities-heroes (according to Carlyle, The World History there is a biography of great people, see Theory of Great People), to lay the foundation of civilization exclusively moral duty; his political program is limited to preaching work, moral sense and faith. An exaggerated appreciation of the heroic in history and a distrust of the power of institutions and knowledge led him to a formal cult of past times, more favorable to heroic people. His views were expressed more clearly than anywhere else in twelve “Pamphlets last days"("Latter-day pamphlets", 1858); here he laughs at the emancipation of blacks, at democracy, philanthropy, political-economic teachings, etc. Not only were his former enemies indignant at Carlyle after these pamphlets, but many admirers also ceased to understand him.
Other historical writings
Throughout the 1840s, Carlyle's views shifted toward conservatism. Gradually, in Carlyle’s works, criticism of capitalism sounded more and more muffled, and his statements directed against the actions of the masses became more and more harsh. In the book “Before and Now,” he painted idyllic pictures of medieval society, where simple noble morals supposedly reigned, a good monarch ensured the well-being and freedom of his subjects, and the church cared about high moral values. It was a romantic utopia that brought Carlyle closer to the feudal socialists.
Of all Carlyle's works, the greatest historical meaning has "Letters and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell" (1845-46), with commentary; the latter are far from impartial towards the “hero” Cromwell. Carlyle showed in a new way the role of Cromwell in the history of the country, in particular, his services in raising the maritime power of England and strengthening its international prestige. The work was for its time innovative character. Until that time, English historians had ignored this figure, seeing in him only a “regicide” and a “tyrant.” Carlyle made an attempt to reveal the true motives and meaning government activities Cromwell. He tried to understand the nature of the revolution itself, but proceeded from the fact that the English Revolution, unlike the French, was of a religious nature and did not have “earthly goals.”
Carlyle's most extensive work is “History of Friedrich II of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great II” (1858-65), which led him to travel to Germany. Despite its many brilliant qualities, it suffers from great elongation. Carlyle glorifies this “hero king” and admires the order of feudal Prussia.
In 1841, being dissatisfied with the policies of the British Library, he initiated the creation of the London Library.
In 1847, his “Historical and Critical Experiments” (a collection of journal articles) appeared, and in 1851, a biography of his friend from his youth, the poet Sterling. From 1868 to 1870 Carlyle was busy publishing full meeting his works (“Library edition”, in 34 volumes). This publication was followed by next year a cheap People's edition that has been repeated many times. He then published a series of essays entitled “The First Norwegian Kings” (1875).
In 1866, Carlyle was offered the honorary position of Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh. Apart from this place, he never held any position, remaining only a writer all his life. During the Franco-Prussian War, he took the side of Prussia and ardently and sincerely defended its cause in his letters to the Times, published separately (1871).
Thomas Carlyle died in 1881.
Carlyle and Nazism
Carlyle was one of those who returned to the idea of the prominent role of individuals, "heroes" in history. One of his most famous works, which had a very strong influence on contemporaries and descendants, it was called “Heroes and the Heroic in History” (1840, Russian translation 1891; see also: Carlyle 1994). According to Carlyle, world history is the biography of great men. Carlyle focuses in his works on certain individuals and their roles, preaches high goals and feelings, writes whole line brilliant biographies. He says much less about the masses. In his opinion, the masses are often only instruments in the hands of great personalities. According to Carlyle, there is a kind of historical circle, or cycle. When the heroic principle in society weakens, then hidden destructive forces the masses (in revolutions and uprisings), and they act until society again discovers in itself “ true heroes", leaders (such as Cromwell or Napoleon). Such a heroic approach undoubtedly drew attention to the role of individuals and posed (but did not solve) the problem of revealing the reasons for the fluctuations of this role in history. But it had too obvious flaws (besides the unsystematic presentation): only “heroes” were considered, society was rigidly divided into leaders and the masses, the causes of revolutions were reduced to social feelings and so on.
Carlyle's views in some ways anticipated the views of Nietzsche with his cult of the superman, and through him of Hitler and other fascist ideologists. Thus, Professor Charles Sarolea, in his 1938 article “Was Carlyle the first Nazi?”, tries to answer this question in the affirmative in the Anglo-German Review:
Nazism is not a German invention, it originally arose abroad and came to us from there... The philosophy of Nazism, the theory of dictatorship were formulated a hundred years ago by the greatest Scot of his time - Carlyle, the most revered of political prophets. His ideas were subsequently developed by Houston Stewart Chamberlain. There is not a single basic doctrine... of Nazism, on which the Nazi religion is based, which would not have been... by Carlyle, or by Chamberlain. Both Carlyle and Chamberlain... are truly the spiritual fathers of the Nazi religion... Like Hitler, Carlyle never betrayed his hatred, his contempt for the parliamentary system... Like Hitler, Carlyle always believed in the saving virtue of dictatorship.
Bertrand Russell, in his book A History of Western Philosophy (1946), stated: “ The next step after Carlyle and Nietzsche is Hitler».
British writer, publicist, historian and philosopher of Scottish origin, author of multi-volume works “The French Revolution” (1837), “Heroes, Hero Worship and the Heroic in History” (1841), “The Life History of Frederick II of Prussia” (1858-65). He professed the romantic “cult of heroes” - exceptional individuals like Napoleon, who through their deeds fulfill divine destiny and move humanity forward, rising above the crowd of limited ordinary people. Also known as one of the brilliant stylists of the Victorian era.
Born into a simple peasant family; destined for a spiritual career by his strict Calvinist parents, he entered the University of Edinburgh at the age of 14. Not wanting to be a priest, after completing a course at the university he became a mathematics teacher in the province, but soon returned to Edinburgh. Here, living on casual literary earnings, he intensively studied law for some time, preparing for the practice of law; but he quickly abandoned this too, becoming interested in German literature.
A translation of Goethe's Wilhelm Meister in 1824 and Schiller's Life in 1825 were Carlyle's first major works. These were followed by critiques and translations from Jean-Paul.
He gave a course of lectures on German literature, in 1838 on European literature, and in 1839 he read on the topic “Revolution in Modern Europe.” The last time I taught the course was in 1840. This was the only published and therefore extant course on the role of the hero in history. The list of heroes itself: Dante, Shakespeare, Luther, Rousseau, Napoleon, Cromwell, etc. These lectures brought some income to Carlyle, and after 1840 he no longer needed money and was rarely able to motivate him to speak.
The same originality as these works is distinguished by “The History of the French Revolution” (“French Revolution, a history”, 1837), the caustic pamphlet “Chartism” (1839), lectures on heroes and the heroic in history (“On Hero worship”, 1841) and historical and philosophical reflections “Past and present” (1843).
Not belonging to any of the established political parties, Carlyle felt lonely and thought for some time about publishing his own magazine to preach his “believer radicalism.” All of Carlyle’s indicated works are imbued with the desire to reduce the progress of mankind to the lives of individual outstanding personalities-heroes (according to Carlyle, world history is the biography of great people, see Theory of Great People), to lay exclusively moral duty at the basis of civilization; his political program is limited to preaching work, moral sense and faith. An exaggerated appreciation of the heroic in history and a distrust of the power of institutions and knowledge led him to a formal cult of past times more favorable to heroic people. His views were expressed more clearly than anywhere else in twelve “Latter-day pamphlets”, 1858; here he laughs at the emancipation of blacks, at democracy, philanthropy, political-economic teachings, etc. Not only were his former enemies indignant at Carlyle after these pamphlets, but many admirers also ceased to understand him.
Throughout the 1840s, Carlyle's views shifted toward conservatism. Gradually, in Carlyle’s works, criticism of capitalism sounded more and more muffled, and his statements directed against the actions of the masses became more and more harsh. In the book “Before and Now,” he painted idyllic pictures of medieval society, where simple noble morals supposedly reigned, a good monarch ensured the well-being and freedom of his subjects, and the church cared about high moral values. It was a romantic utopia that brought Carlyle closer to the feudal socialists.
Of all Carlyle's writings, Letters and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell (1845-46), with commentary, has the greatest historical significance; the latter are far from impartial towards the “hero” Cromwell. Carlyle showed in a new way the role of Cromwell in the history of the country, in particular, his services in raising the maritime power of England and strengthening its international prestige. The work was innovative for its time. Until that time, English historians had ignored this figure, seeing him only as a “regicide” and a “tyrant.” Carlyle made an attempt to reveal the true motives and significance of Cromwell's government activities. He tried to understand the nature of the revolution itself, but proceeded from the fact that the English Revolution, unlike the French, was of a religious nature and did not have “earthly goals.”
Carlyle's most extensive work is “History of Friedrich II of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great II” (1858-65), which led him to travel to Germany. Despite its many brilliant qualities, it suffers from great elongation. Carlyle glorifies this “hero king” and admires the order of feudal Prussia.
In 1841, being dissatisfied with the policies of the British Library, he initiated the creation of the London Library.
In 1847, his “Historical and Critical Experiments” (a collection of journal articles) appeared, and in 1851, a biography of his friend from his youth, the poet Sterling. From 1868 to 1870, Carlyle was busy publishing the complete collection of his works (Library edition, in 34 volumes). This edition was followed the following year by a cheap People's edition, which was repeated many times. He then published a series of essays entitled “The First Norwegian Kings” (1875).
In 1866, Carlyle was offered the honorary position of Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh. Apart from this place, he never held any position, remaining only a writer all his life. During the Franco-Prussian War, he took the side of Prussia and ardently and sincerely defended its cause in his letters to the Times, published separately (1871).
Thomas Carlyle died in 1881.
