Edmund Burke, the renowned writer and political thinker, has recently begun to receive the recognition he deserves as one of the greatest political minds in the English-speaking world. This belated acknowledgment can be attributed to two primary reasons: the general tendency for greatness to be appreciated only with the passage of time and a specific complexity in Burke’s ideas and actions that baffled his contemporaries.
Greatness often requires the perspective that only time and distance can provide. It is a historical truism that many of the world’s most exceptional individuals are only fully appreciated long after their passing. For example, it took fifty years after Shakespeare’s death for him to be eulogized by the poet John Milton.
However, in the case of Edmund Burke, there is another layer to the delay in recognizing his brilliance. His mind was a labyrinth of contradictions and paradoxes that confounded not only his contemporaries but also superficial readers of his works. Burke was a staunch Tory in some respects and a fervent Whig in others. He ardently advocated for liberty but was also a rigid supporter of order. He championed the cause of the oppressed in Ireland, India, and America, yet in France, he appeared to advocate for the oppressors. He was simultaneously the most imaginative of English statesmen and one of the most practical and hardheaded politicians.
Burke’s remarkable blend of qualities can be traced back to his diverse background and education. He inherited his imaginative capacity from his Irish heritage, while his hardheadedness and practicality were honed through his upbringing in Ireland and England. During his time in England, he was tutored by a Quaker who imparted invaluable moral lessons and a deep intellectual understanding of the world. Later, at Trinity College in Dublin, Burke chose to study discreetly, not seeking the limelight. He then journeyed to London to study law, a pursuit that complemented his imaginative mind, although he never practiced law.
Yet, perhaps the most vital aspect of Burke’s education was his insatiable love for engaging with people from all walks of life. It could be said that no one, since the days of Socrates, engaged in purposeful conversation and attentive listening as earnestly as Burke did. He possessed a unique ability to peer into the minds of those he conversed with, comprehending their thoughts and temperaments. This extraordinary skill was the key to his statesmanship – his ability to influence the thoughts and temperaments of those he encountered.
Thomas Babington Macaulay, a prominent historian and essayist, once remarked that Burke was the greatest man to have lived since John Milton. Burke possessed a global perspective, viewing matters from the standpoint of the world. He had an extensive political career, marked by numerous challenging battles, where he fought for just causes, moved governments, and opposed injustice, wrongdoings, robbery, anarchy, and hate. His extensive body of work, including writings, speeches, and pamphlets such as “A Vindication of Natural Society” and “An Inquiry into the Sublime and Beautiful,” serves as a foundational resource for comprehending his life and contributions.
Throughout his illustrious career, Burke consistently battled against the revolutionary movements of his era, safeguarding Britain against the tumultuous tides of revolution that threatened to engulf it. Remarkably, despite being an Irishman during a period characterized by prejudice against “Irish adventurers,” Burke astonished many with his political acumen and wisdom.
Burke held a profound reverence for the British constitution, firmly believing that it should exist for the benefit of the people and not for the aggrandizement of any particular party. He was an unwavering advocate for righteous causes, never straying from the path he deemed just. Today, it is widely acknowledged that Burke’s positions on issues such as Ireland, India, and America were indeed justified. However, opinions on his opposition to the French Revolution remain divided. Some see the French Revolution as a beneficent movement for humanity, while others view its cruelty as evidence of its destructive nature.
Irrespective of one’s stance on the French Revolution, it is undeniable that Burke’s opposition was rooted in his deep-seated love for law and order. The study of Edmund Burke encompasses a vast array of topics, from his intricate political beliefs to his mastery of conversation and understanding of human nature, all while maintaining a practical approach despite possessing a vivid imagination. Edmund Burke’s life and work epitomize a political mind that was ahead of its time, remaining relevant and influential even in the present day.
Published in the Leamington Spa Courier on Saturday, December 1, 1900, this retrospective analysis of Edmund Burke’s life and contributions sheds light on the delayed recognition of his greatness and underscores his enduring relevance as a political visionary.
Leamington Spa Courier – Saturday 01 December 1900
