[English History Collection] – Macauley, Lord.

History of England. From the Accession of James II. A New Edition in Two Volumes.

Two Complete Volumes. London, Longmans, Green & Co., 1886. 12 cm x 18.5 cm. Vol. I: XXIV, 776 pages / Vol. II: XI, 820 pages. Original hardcover / Price-Bindings with emblemata / coat of arms of Wellington College with their motto: “Heroum Filii”. Fair condition but with stronger signs of external wear. Both volumes’ spines have become worn and detached (Vol II’s more so than Vol I). The beautiful and large Exlibris / Bookplate of Wellington College to the pastedown of Volume I with manuscript award-inscription to J.C.V.Durrell at Christmas 1887. From the reference library of Hans Christian Andersen – Translator Erik Haugaard. With his Exlibris to the pastedown of Volume II and endpaper of Volume I. The set needs attention from a bookbinder.

Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay, FRS FRSE PC (25 October 1800 – 28 December 1859) was a British historian and Whig politician. He wrote extensively as an essayist and reviewer; his books on British history have been hailed as literary masterpieces. Macaulay held political office as the Secretary at War between 1839 and 1841, and the Paymaster-General between 1846 and 1848. He played a major role in introducing English and western concepts to education in India, publishing his argument on the subject in the “Macaulay Minute” published in 1835. He supported the replacement of Persian by English as the official language, the use of English as the medium of instruction in all schools, and the training of English-speaking Indians as teachers. This led to Macaulayism in India.
Macaulay divided the world into civilised nations and barbarism, with Britain representing the high point of civilisation. In his Minute on Indian Education of February 1835, he asserted, “It is, I believe, no exaggeration to say that all the historical information which has been collected from all the books written in the Sanskrit language is less valuable than what may be found in the most paltry abridgement used at preparatory schools in England”. He was wedded to the Idea of Progress, especially in terms of the liberal freedoms. He opposed radicalism while idealising historic British culture and traditions. (Wikipedia)

• Keywords: English History – Rare · English History Collection · Library & Collection Building
• Language: English
• Inventory Number: 44761AB