December 4, 1795

Thomas Carlyle (December 4, 1795  to February 5,  1881) was the kind of polymath rarely encountered in books today. He appreciated the need to sort out basic issues, rather than accept the facile opinions of the majority. Of course this did not always lead to accuracy, but it did result in engaging and persuasive books. He is the author of many books, including The French Revolution: A History (1837) (a three volume history) and Heroes and Hero Worship (1841). This last book views the powerful leader as a crux in history, the unit of power. It suggests that man, in the person of certain individuals can affect their environment. He said in the latter book: “the Great Man was always as lightning out of Heaven; the rest of men waited for him like fuel, and then they too would flame."

Only the facile intellect would blame Carlyle for the uses put to an idea, which was merely consistent with certain common premisses about humanity.

Thomas Carlyle was a great man to his contemporaries  and there are lots of paintings of him. We like one of Carlyle in his garden, reading, with one of his cats nearby. It is his Chelsea garden, and dates to 1875. It is a painting by Helen Allingham. This last home of his is maintained now by the National Trust.