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Rousseau Jean-Jacques
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 – 1778) was, arguably, the most original, profound, and creative writer of the eighteenth century, but also the most controversial, and his work continues to divide opinion to this day. His ‘Confessions’ recreates the world in which he progressed from incompetent engraver to grand success; his enthusiasm for experience, his love of nature, and his uncompromising character make him an ideal guide to eighteenth-century Europe, and he was the author of some of the most profound work ever written on the relationship between the individual and the state.
Plato
Plato (c. 428 B.C.-348 B.C.?) stands at the centre of philosophical thought in the ancient world, being the first person to approach philosophical issues systematically. Virtually every philosopher who came after Plato in antiquity was responding, either favorably or unfavorably, to what he had written. Plato’s thought was studied throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and holds a significant position in the history of Western philosophy.
Paine Thomas
Born in Norfolk, Thomas Paine (1737 – 1809) emigrated to the British colonies in America in 1774, in time to support and participate in the fight for American independence. Subseqently, he became involved in the French Revolution, and his book ‘The Rights of Man’ earned the respect of liberals throughout the world, international repute and the ire of the British Government. His popularity suffered a complete collapse with the publication of ‘The Age of Reason’, with its attack on Christianity, and religion in general, although, in time, the book could be seen to reflect the underlying trend in American thought in the eighteenth century, and ‘The Rights of Man’ to define many of the principles of both of the revolutions in whuch he participated.
Nietzsche Friedrich
When the German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844 – 1900) lapsed into insanity in 1889, he had little conception of the fame and controversy his works would come to attract. Initially influential on writers such as George Bernard Shaw and Thomas Mann, his ideas would be misappropriated by the Nazis in the 1930s to support their policies on anti-Semitism, nationalism and warfare. It would be some years, and with the benefit of better translations, before his works would become more properly evaluated.
More Sir Thomas
Sir Thomas More’s ‘Utopia’ is a complex, innovative and penetrating contribution to political thought, culminating in the famous ’description’ of the Utopians, who live according to the principles of natural law, but are receptive to Christian teachings, who hold all possessions in common, and view gold as worthless.
Mayhew Henry
Henry Mayhew (1812 – 1857) was a playright and journalist, and co-founder of ‘Punch’ magazine. He was a social reformer, and wrote a series of articles for ‘The Morning Chronicle’ on the plight of the poor on London’s streets. These were later collected into a book, ‘London’s Labour and London’s Poor’, a detailed and extensive account of life as it truly was on the streets of Dickens’ London.
Engels Friedrich
Friedrich Engels (1820 – 1895) was a German writer, and a close friend and collaborator with Karl Marx. On moving to England, he was shocked by the poverty he found, which resulted in ‘The Condition of the Working Class in England’. He co-operated with Marx in writing ‘The Communist Manifesto’, and after Marx’s death, Engels assembled the second and third volumes of ‘Das Kapital’.
Marx Karl
Karl Marx (1818 – 1883). Generally considered to be the least funny of the Marx Brothers.
Malory Sir Thomas
The legend of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table is one of the most enduring and influential stories in world literature, and the principal players, Arthur, Merlin, Guenever and Launcelot need no introduction. ‘Le Morte d’Arthur’ was completed around 1469 -1470, and the most likely author is Sir Thomas Malory of Newbold Revel in Warwickshire