William Cobbett

by G.K. Chesterton

‘A book like this can be but a bare outline of a life so full as that of William Cobbett' comments G. K. Chesterton as he traces the fascinating life of this prolific author, journalist, politician and editor of the Political Register. From Cobbett's boyhood in the south of England, to expatriation in France, his residence in the United States and subsequent return to England, Chesterton masterfully illuminates the life, times and philosophy of this complex and important figure.

Genres: Biography, Catholic

Paperback

First published February 12, 2001

About the author

Gilbert Keith Chesterton was an English writer, philosopher, lay theologian, and literary and art critic.

He was educated at St. Paul’s, and went to art school at University College London. In 1900, he was asked to contribute a few magazine articles on art criticism, and went on to become one of the most prolific writers of all time. He wrote a hundred books, contributions to 200 more, hundreds of poems, including the epic Ballad of the White Horse, five plays, five novels, and some two hundred short stories, including a popular series featuring the priest-detective, Father Brown. In spite of his literary accomplishments, he considered himself primarily a journalist. He wrote over 4000 newspaper essays, including 30 years worth of weekly columns for the Illustrated London News, and 13 years of weekly columns for the Daily News. He also edited his own newspaper, G.K.’s Weekly.

Chesterton was equally at ease with literary and social criticism, history, politics, economics, philosophy, and theology.

Reviews

[Christopher (Donut) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little heavy on rhetoric, and light on facts or examples, but never dull.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cobbett has been called a proto-Chesterton, but this is probably unfair to both men. Cobbett lived a dramatic and tumultuous life, of which writing was only a part; Chesterton was through and through a literary man. Cobbett wielded an acid polemical pen, inspiring fury and indignity; Chesterton's pen was generous, playful, rarely openly polemical. But both shared a particular contrarian view: that the Reformation in England was little more than a terrible usurpation that beggared most of the country and nearly extinguished English liberty. Not the sort of opinion likely to earn you much accolades. Fortunately, posterity has been just to Chesterton, for he is among the finest writers and thinkers of the last 100 years. The same cannot be said of Cobbett, who has been largely forgotten. Chesterton's biography (really just a sketch or long essay) is a good place to start rediscovering a fascinating character and master polemicist.

[Ray Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chesterton presents Cobbett as a somewhat undisciplined genius who saw deeper and thought deeper than many, perhaps most, of his contemporaries while aggravating many yet expressing clarity and original thought missed by the many. Chesterton points out how misunderstood Cobbett was and yet how insightful he was. The book is a fast read and makes me want to read Cobbett.

[Frederick · Rating 3 out of 5]

William Cobbett cut a great figure in early 19th century Britain. He was a champion of the struggles of those who labored. The 19th century prose might put you off but it does have some good insights into the reformer's life.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chesterton greatly admired Cobbett and this extended essay gives a detailed and sympathetic portrait of a man out of step with his class and times. It is not a hagiography, he shows Cobbett's provocative and provoking tendencies as well as his compassionate desire for justice and fairness, but he tries to understand him, so that we can too.