Augustine Birrell

Date of Birth: January 19, 1850

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: November 20, 1933

Biography

Augustine Birrell was an English author and politician, born on January 19, 1850, in Wavertree, now part of Liverpool, England. He was the son of Charles Birrell, a Baptist minister. Educated at Amersham Hall and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, Birrell initially pursued a career in law and was called to the bar in 1875. However, he soon found his true calling in literature and politics. Birrell’s writing career took off with the publication of “Obiter Dicta” in 1884, a collection of essays that showcased his wit and erudition. He continued to write essays and books on a variety of subjects, including literary criticism and biographies. His works were well-received, and he became known for his engaging style and insightful commentary. In addition to his literary pursuits, Birrell had a significant political career. He served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for West Fife from 1889 to 1900 and for North Bristol from 1906 to 1918. His most notable political role was as Chief Secretary for Ireland from 1907 to 1916, a period marked by significant unrest and the Easter Rising of 1916. Birrell resigned from his position following the Rising, acknowledging the failures of British policy in Ireland. Despite the challenges he faced in his political career, Birrell continued to write and remained an influential figure in both literary and political circles until his death on November 20, 1933.

5 Interesting Facts about Augustine Birrell

1. Augustine Birrell was a noted essayist and author, best known for his collection “Obiter Dicta.”

2. He served as Chief Secretary for Ireland during the tumultuous period leading up to the Easter Rising of 1916.

3. Birrell was a skilled orator and was often praised for his speeches in Parliament.

4. He was a strong advocate for education reform and played a key role in the development of the National Insurance Act of 1911.

5. Birrell was an avid book collector and his personal library was renowned for its extensive collection of rare and valuable books.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Augustine Birrell

1. “Good as it is to inherit a library, it is better to collect one.”

2. “A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it.”

3. “Reading is not a duty, and has consequently no business to be made disagreeable.”

4. “It is the mark of a truly intelligent person to be moved by statistics.”

5. “Literature is the art of writing something that will be read twice.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures are not available, Augustine Birrell’s highest net worth would have been modest by modern standards, primarily accumulated through his legal career, political appointments, and earnings from his literary works.

Children

Augustine Birrell married Eleanor Tennyson, the daughter of Alfred Tennyson’s brother, and they had one son, Frank Birrell. Frank followed in his father’s footsteps in terms of intellectual pursuits but did not achieve the same level of public recognition.