No conservative library is complete without the thought of Edmund Burke, the founder of modern conservatism. This is the most comprehensive anthology of his works and speeches. Peter J. Stanlis, professor of humanities emeritus at Rockford College, has taken care to preserve the beauty of Burke's prose while selecting the most essential passages from his numerous writings. Included are:
Burke's defense of the American colonists
His advocacy of secure property rights
His love of Christianity and Europe's moral tradition
His impassioned jeremiad against the destruction wrought by the French Revolution
Stanlis's introduction gives important insight into Burke's early life, education, professional training, literary and political career, prose style, political philosophy, and more.
Edmund Burke, was born in Dublin, January 12, educated at a Quaker boarding school and at Trinity College, Dublin. In 1750 he entered the Middle Temple, London, but soon abandoned law for literary work.
The best of Burke's writings and speeches belong to this period, and may be described as a defense of sound constitutional statesmanship against prevailing abuse and misgovernment. In 1788 he opened the trial of Warren Hastings by the speech which will always rank among the masterpieces of English eloquence.
Burke had vast knowledge of political affairs, a glowing imagination, passionate sympathies, and an inexhaustible wealth of powerful and cultured expression. However, his delivery was awkward and speeches which today captivate the reader only served to empty the benches of the House of Commons (some speeches were in excess of eight hours).
One of the foremost political thinkers of 18th century England, Burke died July 9, 1797, and was buried in a little church at Beaconsfield.
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