Christian Cyclopedia

(1795–1881). B. Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, Scot.; educ. Annan Academy and Edinburgh U. Taught math. Looked forward to the career of a minister; then abandoned both the idea of the ministry and Christian faith. Studied German and worked his way through an extensive reading course in hist., poetry, romance, and other fields. Works may be divided into 3 main groups: I. Literary Criticism. A. German works include The Life of Friedrich Schiller; Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels; German Romance. B. English. Essay on Burns; Boswell's Life of Johnson; Sir Walter Scott. II. Philosophical and Social Writings. Sartor Resartus: The Life and Opinions of Herr Teufelsdröckh (“Sartor Resartus” is Latin and means “The Tailor Retailored”; depicts Carlyle's spiritual struggle and is most representative of his genius; contains chapters on “The Everlasting No,” “Center of Indifference,” and “The Everlasting Yea”); Chartism; On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History (includes an essay on Luther; sets forth Carlyle's view that human affairs are shaped by great leaders); Past and Present (like Chartism, attacks the principle of laissez faire; advocates governmental directive for both capital and labor, profit sharing, and educational legislation). III. Historical Writings. The French Revolution: A History; Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches; The Life of John Sterling; History of Frederick II of Prussia. ECW