Macaulay: The Shaping of the Historian

by John Clive

Study concentrating on the young, developing, philosopher's political commentaries, education, and training.

Genres: Biography, History

572 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

John Clive was an English author and actor.

In 1977, he co-wrote, with J.D. Gilman, the historical novel KG 200, a story about a secret Luftwaffe unit during the Second World War. In the following years he authored The Last Liberator (1980), Barossa (1981), Broken Wings(1983), Ark (1986), co-written with Nicholas Head, and The Lions Cage (1988).

Clive was also known as an actor. He began his career ,at the age of fifteen, on stage in the West End of London. Among the plays he appeared in was Absurd Person Singular, The Wizard of Oz, Under Milk Wood, The Bandwagon, The Winslow Boy, and Life With Father. He also appeared in many films over the spanof his lifetime. Among his film appearances was The Italian Job, Yellow Submarine, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, and A Clockwork Orange. He also appeared in four of the Carry On series of comedy films including; Carry On Abroad,and Carry On Dick.

Reviews

[Hock Tjoa]

A brilliant work that analyzes Macaulay's life and interests prior to his writing his History of England. Macaulay took a job with the East India Company to make money, enough to live as an independently wealthy scholar. While there he wrote the Penal Code for India and also it Educational policy, but had zero interest in Indian culture. He lived solely for his work (and pension) and the mail from England bringing boxes of books and journals. This is a story about focus and the setting of priorities. Clive also indulges in some psycho-history but he firmly refused to write about Macaulay as a historian or the rest of his life; no volume two.

[Jeremy]

Reading this book is like running a marathon - enjoyable but hard work. Brilliantly written, massive, dense, closely argued and exhibiting phenomenal scholarship. An exhaustive examination of Macaulay and his first 40 years years and how this shaped him in his writing of his extraordinary history. Highly recommended, but be prepared to put in the effort!