James Anthony Froude

Date of Birth: April 23, 1818

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: October 20, 1894

Biography

James Anthony Froude was a prominent English historian, novelist, and biographer, born on April 23, 1818, in Dartington, Devon, England. He was the son of Robert Hurrell Froude, an Anglican clergyman, and Margaret Spedding. Froude’s upbringing in a religious household and his education at Westminster School and Oriel College, Oxford, significantly influenced his early intellectual development. Initially trained for the Anglican priesthood, Froude’s religious views evolved, and he eventually abandoned his clerical ambitions. His early literary career included novels such as “The Nemesis of Faith,” which controversially critiqued the Anglican Church and led to his estrangement from religious circles. Froude’s most significant contributions came through his historical writings. His multi-volume work “History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Defeat of the Spanish Armada” established him as a leading historian of the 19th century. Froude’s narrative style and his focus on strong personalities like Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII made his history both engaging and influential, though not without criticism for his perceived biases. In addition to his historical works, Froude wrote biographies, including those of Thomas Carlyle and Erasmus, and served as the Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford University. He was also a prolific essayist, contributing to periodicals such as “Fraser’s Magazine” and “The Westminster Review.” James Anthony Froude passed away on October 20, 1894, in Kingsbridge, Devon, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most prominent historians of his time.

5 Interesting Facts about James Anthony Froude

1. Froude was a close friend and biographer of Thomas Carlyle, a famous Scottish philosopher, satirist, and historian.

2. His work “The Nemesis of Faith” was considered so controversial that it led to his resignation from Oxford University.

3. Froude’s historical writings were criticized by some for their perceived inaccuracies and biases, particularly his favorable portrayal of Henry VIII.

4. He was appointed Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford University in 1892, a prestigious academic position.

5. Froude’s historical narrative style influenced later historians and made history accessible to the general public.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Anthony Froude

1. “The first duty of an historian is to be on guard against his own sympathies.”

2. “Experience teaches slowly, and at the cost of mistakes.”

3. “The essence of greatness is neglect of the self.”

4. “Liberty is the condition of duty and the condition of duty is discipline.”

5. “History is a voice forever sounding across the centuries the laws of right and wrong.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures from the 19th century are not readily available, James Anthony Froude achieved significant recognition and financial stability through his academic and literary endeavors. His works were widely read and published, contributing to his comfortable lifestyle.

Children

James Anthony Froude had several children with his wife, Harriet Warre. However, specific detailed records of his children’s lives are less documented.