
MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED - NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
NOTE
BURKE - CHAPTER I - EARLY LIFE, AND FIRST WRITINGS
CHAPTER II - IN IRELAND—PARLIAMENT—BEACONSFIELD
CHAPTER III - THE CONSTITUTIONAL STRUGGLE
CHAPTER IV - THE ROCKINGHAM PARTY—PARIS—ELECTION AT BRISTOL—THE AMERICAN WAR
CHAPTER V - ECONOMICAL REFORM—BURKE IN OFFICE—FALL OF HIS PARTY
CHAPTER VI - BURKE AND HIS FRIENDS
CHAPTER VII - THE NEW MINISTRY—WARREN HASTINGS—BURKE'S PUBLIC POSITION
CHAPTER VIII - THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
This compact biography takes a fresh, narrative‑focused look at one of Britain’s most debated statesmen, charting his modest beginnings, education, and the early pamphlets that first announced his voice in the public arena. Written by a seasoned scholar who previously offered a more critical study, the author now weaves a readable portrait that balances facts with the lively spirit of Burke’s own rhetoric, while keeping the focus firmly on the formative years that shaped his political career.
Beyond the chronology, the book gently probes the swirling judgments that have surrounded Burke for centuries—praise from Tories, scorn from Whigs, and the mixed appraisals of later historians. It highlights his passionate, ornate style and his conviction that moral feeling, not abstract logic, should guide public affairs. Listeners will come away with a nuanced sense of why Burke remains a compelling figure in the history of ideas, without venturing into the later controversies that dominate his legacy.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (380K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-07-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1838–1923
A sharp-minded Victorian man of letters, he built a lasting reputation through lucid essays, major biographies, and a long public career in liberal politics. His writing combines intellectual seriousness with a clear, readable style that still feels approachable.
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by John Morley

by John Morley