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History of England, from the Accession of James II - Volume 5
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1861
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138 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Babington Macaulay
2,753 books119 followersThomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay PC was an English poet, historian and Whig politician. He wrote extensively as an essayist and reviewer, and on British history. He also held political office as Secretary at War between 1839 and 1841 and Paymaster-General between 1846 and 1848.
As a young man he composed the ballads Ivry and The Armada, which he later included as part of Lays of Ancient Rome, a series of very popular ballads about heroic episodes in Roman history which he composed in India and published in 1842.
During the 1840s he began work on his most famous work, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, publishing the first two volumes in 1848. At first, he had planned to bring his history down to the reign of George III. After publication of his first two volumes, his hope was to complete his work with the death of Queen Anne in 1714. The third and fourth volumes, bringing the history to the Peace of Ryswick, were published in 1855. However, at his death in 1859, he was working on the fifth volume. This, bringing the History down to the death of William III, was prepared for publication by his sister, Lady Trevelyan, after his death.
As a young man he composed the ballads Ivry and The Armada, which he later included as part of Lays of Ancient Rome, a series of very popular ballads about heroic episodes in Roman history which he composed in India and published in 1842.
During the 1840s he began work on his most famous work, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, publishing the first two volumes in 1848. At first, he had planned to bring his history down to the reign of George III. After publication of his first two volumes, his hope was to complete his work with the death of Queen Anne in 1714. The third and fourth volumes, bringing the history to the Peace of Ryswick, were published in 1855. However, at his death in 1859, he was working on the fifth volume. This, bringing the History down to the death of William III, was prepared for publication by his sister, Lady Trevelyan, after his death.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 3, 2013
October 1st finished History of England form the ascension of James II Vol V by Thomas Macaulay. It is always sad to come to the end of a great masterpiece to learn that the writer was unable to finish. As the introduction noted, Macaulay died as he was writing about the death of William the III, his hero. As a result, this last volume leaves the reader hanging a bit, wondering what happened after William died. Who took the throne? What happened to the war with France? I’ll have to research more about English history to find out, but it won’t be the same without Macaulay’s expert storytelling ability to take me on the journey.
October 28, 2016
It feels great to be able to say that I read this hefty history from beginning to end. It was, throughout, a stylistic masterpiece, and very informative (although obviously dated and quite partisan). Even though the fifth volume is unfinished, it still builds up to a satisfying ending.
June 30, 2016
Bill read this, Great Book, Shelley Shepard Gray, Amish
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews