The Quarrel of Macaulay and Croker

Politics and History in the Age of Reform

William Thomas author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

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The Quarrel of Macaulay and Croker cover

This is the story of one of the great literary rows of the nineteenth century, between one of its greatest historians and one of its sharpest critics. The quarrel began in the House of Commons during the debates of 1831-2 on parliamentary reform and was continued in the quarterly reviews. Even in a political setting, it had a historical dimension. Croker taunted Macaulay for being ignorant of the French Revolution. Macaulay replied by pouring scorn on Croker's accuracy as editor of Boswell's Johnson. The bitterness of the clash made subsequent compromise impossible. Sixteen years later, Croker wrote a long damning review of the first two volumes of Macaulay's History of England. Posterity admires success, and as Macaulay's writings have eclipsed Croker's it has usually been assumed that Croker was moved by mere political spite. In this highly readable study, William Thomas shows that this verdict is unfair, that Croker's political opinions were both less rancorous and more interesting, and that Macaulay's own scholarship was far from faultless. He also considers each man's historical writing alongside his politics and argues that, while Croker's critical method was sharpened by his politics, Macaulay's political opinions were much more independent of party, and that he is not the typical Whig historian of legend. William Thomas illustrates how the two men actually had many ideas in common, and the commentators who have seen only political dislike have missed the real purpose of the History of England and what made it the most successful historical work in English literature.

Thomas argues that majestic narrative and stylistic flair have lured posterity into an unthinking admiration for Macaulay's History. Meanwhile Croker, now a largely forgotten figure, has been written off as a rancorous party hack and reactionary Tory. This study seeks to adjust the historical ledger and put the record straight. * The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History *
A thoroughly researched and gracefully written volume. * Parliamentary History *
William Thomas deploys his deep knowledge of the 1830s and 40s ... Thomas writes recalling the lost truth that it is possible to write books that are short and crisp rather than vast and soggy ... There is much in these essays to entertain and savour. Read them beside the fire after dark, on a day when you suspect, like Croker, that all is up with England. * Michael Bentley, Times Literary Supplement *
This is a good book in a grand tradition: like Burke, like Macaulay and Criker, Thomas helps us to see and to understand the interactions of individuals, institutions, culture and society. * History of European Ideas *
Connoisseurs of historical writing will appreciate this account of the quarrel between Croker and Macaulay, like a mature 'grand cru' from an Oxford college cellar. * History *
In this vivid book, William Thomas shows how the two main players both lived up to and often defied their stereotypes. * Andrew Lycett, Spectator *

ISBN: 9780198208648

Dimensions: 224mm x 147mm x 23mm

Weight: 526g

350 pages