Thomas Carlyle: biography, works. Quotes and aphorisms of Thomas Carlyle. Brief biography of Thomas Carlyle Carlyle believed that a person manifests

Thomas Carlyle (a less common but more correct option is Carlyle) - English writer Scottish-born, novelist, critic, philosopher, publicist, historian, 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 obvious talent of the teenager 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 vocation 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 “History of french revolution”, 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 reform the existing system for its own salvation.

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 Harvard University(1875). Thomas Carlyle died on February 5, 1881 in London.

Thomas Carlyle (also Carlyle; eng. Thomas Carlyle). Born December 4, 1795 in Ecclefechain, UK - died February 5, 1881 in London. 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). Professed a romantic “hero cult” - 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.

Born into a simple peasant family; Destined by his parents, strict Calvinists, for a spiritual career, at the age of 14 he entered the University of Edinburgh. 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. 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.

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.

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 him only as 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 policy 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.

Thomas Carlyle and Nazism:

Thomas 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 ). 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 with his cult of the superman, and through him, Hitler and other fascist ideologists. Yes, professor Charles Sarolea in his 1938 article "Was Carlyle the First Nazi?", attempts 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. Subsequently, his ideas were 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 ... in Carlyle, or in 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."

in his book “The History of Western Philosophy” (1946) stated: "The next step after Carlyle and Nietzsche is Hitler".

The famous historian Manuel Sarkisyants in his book “English Roots German fascism"dedicated a separate chapter to the question of Carlyle's influence on the development of Nazi ideas.

CARLYLE

Carlisle (Carlyle) Thomas (12/4/1795, Eclefechan, Scotland, - 2/5/1881, London), English, writer and historian. K.'s worldview was formed under the influence of Goethe, Fichte, Schelling and German romantics. Enemy French materialism and shotl. utilitarianism.

IN Philosopher novel "Sartor Resartus" (1833-34, rus. lane 1902) in the mythological tradition traditional for romanticism. created in spirit Philosopher a picture of the world, “dressed” in a kind of symbolic veils-emblems hiding the transcendent nature and society. Following Fichte, he considered it as an illusion of the senses. which hides the deities from man. structure of the universe. Philosophy, according to K., is called upon to “unravel” the presence of pantheistic by symbols and emblems. spirit in the visible forms of the perceived world. Romantic Naturalism is characterized by the desire to unite the microcosm of “appearing” nature with universal nature and eternity, identical to the spirit. K.'s subjectivism sometimes led him to solipsism. Spiritualistic K. was used by representatives of Theosophy.

After the publication of “Sartor Resartus”, Carlyle gradually lost to literature, which he had not previously considered as part of himself, seeing in it a way of comprehending the world and man. Carlyle's worldview develops in the direction of the philosophy of history. His works “Signs of the Times” (1829) and “Characteristics of Our Time” expressed his criticism of social institutions and contemporary social philosophy; Carlyle believes modern society sick, argues that people are too preoccupied with their “I”, too fussy with their problems; The most serious disease of society is the excessive wealth of some and the poverty of others. The current one is worse than the previous one due to the lack of faith and ideals. People do nothing intuitively, from the depths of their essence; they are all guided by established recipes. They have lost faith in themselves, in the effectiveness of their own efforts, they care not about internal improvement, but about external adaptation, and are chasing external transformations. Meanwhile, reforms are premature without self-improvement, without achieving freedom in more than one area political sense. In the essay “Chartism,” which had a huge public impact, Carlyle does not speak from party positions; he views Chartism as public life, deeply rooted in workers' dissatisfaction with their situation. Exploring common reasons Chartism, Carlyle dwells in detail on various aspects of the social life of England at that time, polemicizes with modern economists, not accepting the thesis about the temporary nature of the workers' misfortunes, which supposedly will disappear by itself, and does not agree with the principle of complete non-interference of the state in economic life. In 1843, in the book “Past and Present,” starting from one medieval chronicle, Carlyle compares current situation with the past; he argues that the former strong bonds between people were replaced by a connection in the form of a monetary contract, and the current formality of people only worsened the situation, since it completely removed their position from the masters. According to Carlyle, society can only be properly governed by strong man, . In “Pamphlets of the Last Day” (1850), Carlyle criticizes modernity even more sharply, talking about slavery, government institutions, parliament, model prisons (where the life of prisoners better than life workers), double morality (the British profess two religions: on Sundays, on weekdays - political economy), etc. In his journalism, Carlyle speaks from the standpoint of morality, conscience and duty, pessimistically assessing the current situation of society.

In 1837-40, Carlyle repeatedly gave public lectures in London. The last course was published under the title “On Heroes, the Cult of Heroes and the Heroic in History” (1840). According to Carlyle, there is a history, a biography of great people: educators, patrons, creators. All things existing in the world are the embodiment of their thoughts and aspirations. Great people - prophets, poets, preachers, writers, rulers. Contrary to the prevailing trends of that time, Carlyle sees in great people something supernatural, prophets through whom the continuous revelation of God occurs. Their souls are open to divine content life, their qualities - sincerity, originality, sense of reality. In 1845, Carlyle published “Letters and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell,” and in 1851, a biography of D. Stirling. Carlyle's last major work is “The Life of Frederick the Great” (vol. 1-5, 1858-65). While working on the book, Carlyle visited Germany twice (1852,1858). During the Franco-Prussian War, Carlyle published in the Times on the side of Germany, for which Bismarck awarded him the Order of Merit. Carlyle had a huge moral and literary (in particular, on Dickens, Yeskin, etc.) influence on his contemporaries, defending moral values in the age of revolutions and changes.

Works: Woris, v. 1-30. L, 1899-1923; in Russian trans.: Novalis. M., 1901; Sartor Resartus. The Life and Thoughts of Herr Teufelsdröck, book. 1-3. M., 1902; Ethics of life. Work hard and don’t be discouraged! St. Petersburg, 1906; Now and before. M., 1906; Pamphlets of the last day. St. Petersburg, 1907; Heroes, hero worship and the heroic in history. St. Petersburg, 1908; Historical and critical experiments. M-, 1978; French revolution. Story. M., 1991.

Lit.: Yakovenko V. I. T. Carlyle, his life and literary activity. St. Petersburg, 1891; HanselP. T. Carlyle. St. Petersburg, 1903; Kareev N.I. Thomas Carlyle. His life, his personality, his works, his ideas. Pg., 1923; SimonsD. Carlyle. M., 1981; Fraude J. A. Thomas Carlyle: A History of the First Forty Years of Life, 1795-1835. L., 1882; Idem. Thomas Carlyle: A History of His Life in London, 1834-81. L., 1884; Hood E. P. T. Carlyle. Philosophical Thinker, Theologian, Historian and Poet. N. Y, 1970; Campbell l. T. Carlyle. L., 1974.

I. V. Borisova

New philosophical encyclopedia: In 4 vols. M.: Thought. Edited by V. S. Stepin. 2001 .

See what "CARLILE" is in other dictionaries:

Carlyle, Thomas Thomas Carlyle (eng. Thomas Carlyle, 1795 1881) British (Scottish) writer, historian and philosopher ... Wikipedia

Thomas (more correctly Carlyle) (Thomas Carlyle, 1795 1881) English critic, novelist, philosopher, historian and publicist. In the 20s XIX century, when Carlyle entered literature, the industrial revolution was basically completed, the big bourgeoisie laid ... ... Literary encyclopedia

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 into an ordinary family that lived in the Scottish village of Ecclefechen, on 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 of a private school in the 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 of humanities. His parents predicted a career for him as a clergyman, but Thomas himself had no desire to take the priesthood. 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 vocation was literary activity, which he engaged in from time to time while still studying to become a lawyer.

Since 1834, Carlyle's biography has been associated with London. In the English capital, he lives a rich creative life: his books, conversations, letters, and 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 it, world history began to be considered in the context of the life and work 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 devoted to creativity. Towards the end of his life, Carlyle became truly famous, but rejected the title of nobility, 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). 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.

Start of activity

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. These were followed by 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.

Delivered 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

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.

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 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 in him only 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 policy 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).

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 his contemporaries and descendants, 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, and writes a number of 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 a society weakens, then the hidden destructive forces of the masses can break out (in revolutions and uprisings), and they act until society again discovers within itself the “true heroes”, the leaders (such as Cromwell or Napoleon). Such a heroic approach , undoubtedly, drew attention to the role of individuals, posed (but did not solve) the problem of revealing the reasons for fluctuations in this role in history. But it had too obvious flaws (besides the unsystematic presentation): only “heroes” were considered, society was strictly divided into leaders and the masses, the causes of revolutions were reduced to social feelings, etc.

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».