Lord Acton Biography
Born as | John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton |
Occup. | Historian |
From | United Kingdom |
Born | January 10, 1834 Naples, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies |
Died | June 19, 1902 Tegernsee, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire |
Aged | 68 years |
Early Life and Education
John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, known as Lord Acton, was born upon January 10, 1834, in Naples, then part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. He was born into an aristocratic household with a lineage that integrated British, Irish, and French-German ancestry. His dad, Sir Ferdinand Richard Edward Acton, was part of the British aristocracy, and his mother,
Marie Louise Pelline von Dalberg, was a noblewoman from Germany with strong connections to the European elite.
Acton's education was deeply influenced by his global background. He was very first informed in your home in France, before participating in a Catholic school in England. Later, he pursued further research studies at the University of Munich under the renowned religious historian Johann Joseph Ignaz von Döllinger. Döllinger ended up being a significant intellectual and spiritual mentor to Acton and exceptionally affected his historic and doctrinal point of views.
Profession
Lord Acton is best called a historian, political leader, and writer, with a focus on the history of liberty and ethical and political approach. His deep Catholic faith and commitment to the perfects of freedom became the foundation of his intellectual work. In 1859, he became editor of the "Rambler", a Catholic month-to-month publication, where he often expressed his views on the crossway of religious beliefs and politics. Nevertheless, his sincere criticism of ultramontanism within the Catholic Church led to controversies and tensions with the ecclesiastical authorities.
In the political sphere, Acton was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Irish district of Carlow in 1859, a position he held till 1865. However, his influence extended far beyond the House of Commons, as he was frequently consulted for his eager insights on religious and European matters.
Acton's substantial personal library showed his broad intellectual curiosity and became one of the most considerable private collections of its time, focusing on modern history, religious history, and political theory.
The Historians and Influencers Around Him
Acton's relationship with Döllinger remained important throughout his life. Döllinger not just mentored Acton academically however also presented him to an international academic neighborhood. Döllinger's rejection to accept the teaching of papal infallibility in 1870 resonated deeply with Acton, who shared these criticisms of the Church's centralizing propensities.
Acton corresponded with numerous popular intellectuals, including William Ewart Gladstone, the British Prime Minister, with whom he shared a deep relationship and shared regard. Their correspondence often touched upon subjects of liberty, governance, and the difficulties of the contemporary world.
The Cambridge Years and "Power Corrupts"
In 1895, Lord Acton was selected Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge. Though he had actually not previously held a scholastic position, his bibliographical understanding and theoretical technique to history made him a renowned figure among students and associates. His lectures were marked by a profound commitment to the ethical dimensions of history.
Possibly Acton's most famous contribution to political idea was the dictum: "Power tends to corrupt, and outright power corrupts definitely". This quote exceptionally records his view that ethical integrity ought to stand at the heart of political life and scholarship.
Later Life and Legacy
Lord Acton committed his later years to writing and lecturing. Regardless of vast amounts of research and a lifetime of research study, he released relatively little throughout his lifetime. Nonetheless, his vast correspondence and lectures left a long lasting influence on the fields of history and political theory.
He died on June 19, 1902, in Tegernsee, Bavaria, leaving a substantial yet incomplete job: an extensive history of liberty.
Acton's legacy withstands, especially through his views on the relationship between power and morality. His rigorous requirements for historical scholarship and his dedication to exploring the complex balance in between authority and liberty continue to affect historians and political theorists today.
Our collection contains 27 quotes who is written / told by Lord, under the main topic
Government.
Related authors: Marie Louise (Royalty), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Lord Acton freedom quote
A: One of Acton's notable quotes is 'Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right of being able to do what we ought.' - Q: Lord Acton Catholic
A: Lord Acton was a devout Catholic and often wrote on the relationship between religion and politics. - Q: When did Lord Acton say power corrupts
A: Lord Acton expressed this idea in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887. - Q: Lord Acton power corrupts
A: He coined the phrase 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely' to suggest that as one's power increases, their moral compass may decline. - Q: Lord Acton definition of history
A: Lord Acton viewed history as a means to inform moral judgment, and believed it should be studied to understand the truth about humanity. - Q: Absolute power corrupts absolutely Lord Acton
A: Lord Acton famously stated that 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' - Q: How old was Lord Acton?
A: He became 68 years old
Source / external links: