William Edward Hartpole Lecky
William Edward Hartpole Lecky (born March 26, 1838 in Newtown Park near Dublin , † October 22, 1903 in London ) was an Irish historian , politician and publicist .
Lecky was u. a. formed at Trinity College , Dublin and was influenced in his undergraduate studies by the writings of Henry Thomas Buckle . After his graduation in 1863 he turned to cultural-historical studies, which, as was customary at the time, he mostly did without an academic position. After being a writer in this field, Lecky first appeared in 1861 with the anonymously published work The leaders of public opinion in Ireland (2nd ed. 1872), a history of the rationalist opposition to positive religion, using HT Buckle's method was, acquired a name through the following two works:
- History of the rise and influence of the spirit of rationalism in Europe (1865, 2 vols.), Which provoked some sharp replies from the Orthodox side, and
- History of European morals from Augustus to Charlemagne (3rd edition 1877, 2 vols .; German, 2nd edition, Leipzig 1879).
Since the 16th century had already been dealt with by James Anthony Froude and the 17th by Samuel R. Gardiner , Lecky added a history of the 18th century, the History of England in the eighteenth century (1878–87, vol. 1–6; German, Leipzig. 1879 ff.).
In 1892, Lecky was offered the Regius Professorship for Modern History at the University of Oxford , but he declined. Instead he acted as a member of the Irish Parliament as a unionist for his political goals.
His work has been praised for its balanced portrayal of the American Revolution and even for its portrayal of the history of Ireland, but little for creativity or independent research. Several honorary doctorates show the recognition that Lecky's work has found in the academic world. His widow established a history professorship at Trinity College on his behalf.
In 1902, Lecky was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the British Academy .
Literature on Lecky
- James J. Auchmury: Lecky: A Biographical and Critical Essay. London: Longmans, 1945
- Elisabethvan Dedem Lecky: A Memoir of the Right Hon. William Edward Hartpole Lecky, MB, Litt.D., Member of the French Institute and the British Academy, by his Wife. New York: Longman 1909
- Donal McCartney: WEH Lecky: Historian and Politician, 1838-1903. Dublin: Lilliput, 1993
- Frank C. McDermott: Taking the Long Perspective: Democracy and Terrorism in Ireland: The Writings of WEH Lecky and After. Dublin: Glendale 1991.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i DR Woolf (2014) A Global Encyclopedia of Historical Writing ; Volume 2; Routledge; Page 550.
- ^ Deceased Fellows. British Academy, accessed June 27, 2020 .
Web links
- Literature by William Edward Hartpole Lecky in the catalog of the Berlin State Library
- Literature by and about William Edward Hartpole Lecky in the catalog of the German National Library
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Lecky, William Edward Hartpole |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Irish historian |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 26, 1838 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Dublin |
| DATE OF DEATH | October 22, 1903 |
| Place of death | London |