English orator, statesman and political thinker Burke Edmund was born on January 12, 1729 in Dublin. His father was a barrister and Protestant, and his mother was a Catholic. Edmund decided to connect his life with jurisprudence. In 1750 he moved to London and entered the school of barristers (lawyers).
The beginning of literary activity
Over time, Burke lost interest in his profession. Besides, he did not return to Dublin. The young man did not like Ireland because of its provinciality. Remaining in London, he devoted himself to literature.
The first essay "In Defense of Natural Society" appeared in 1756. This work was a parody of the work of the recently deceased English political philosopher Henry Bolingbroke and was passed off as his essay. The first books that Edmund Burke wrote are practically unknown to posterity and do not represent anything interesting. These experiences were important for the creative growth of the author himself.
Recognition
The first serious work of Burke was Philosophicalstudy of the origin of our ideas about the high and the beautiful. After the publication of this work in 1757, the most eminent thinkers of that era drew attention to the author: Lessing, Kant and Diderot. Burke Edmund acquired a recognized reputation among men of letters. In addition, the study allowed him to launch his own political career.
Another serious success of the writer in those years was the magazine "Annual Register". Burke Edmund served as its editor-in-chief, and Robert Dodsley became the publisher. In 1758-1765. the Irishman wrote many articles in this edition, which became an important part of his creative legacy. Burke published especially a lot of materials on history in the "Annual Register". However, he never admitted that he worked in the magazine, and published articles anonymously.
Political career
In 1759, Burke entered the civil service. For a while, he almost left his literary activity, since it brought almost no money. Two years earlier Bork Edmund had married Jane Nugent. The couple had two sons. The issue of finances has become more acute than ever. As a result, Burke became the private secretary of the diplomat William Hamilton. Working with him, the writer gained important political experience.
In 1765, Burke quarreled with Hamilton and became unemployed. Dublin, Ireland, years spent in London as a writer, working as a secretary - all this is a thing of the past. Now I had to start all over from scratch. Difficulties did not frighten the publicist who was left without income. At the end of the year, he got into the House of Commons, having been elected through the district of Wendover.
Member of Parliament
Burke's main patron in parliament was the Marquis of Rockingham, in 1765-1766. served as prime minister. When he retired and became the head of the opposition to the new government, it was his protege, who left Hamilton, who became the main mouthpiece of an influential politician in the highest power circles. In Parliament, attention was immediately drawn to such a rare and talented orator as Edmund Burke. The writer's books were soon overshadowed by his public appearances.
Member of the House of Commons had a captivating eloquence. In parliament, his previous writing skills also came in handy. Burke himself prepared his numerous reports and speeches to the Lords. He was able to generalize colossal arrays of information and operate with disparate facts. The Thinker has been a Member of Parliament for almost 28 years, and all these years he has remained a popular and in-demand speaker, who was listened to with bated breath.
Pamphleteer
Burke wrote not only philosophical books. His pen belonged to pamphlets that were written specifically for the Whig party. So, in 1770, “Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontent” were published. In this document, the author gave his definition of the party as an instrument of politics and presented arguments in favor of defending its state government. The pamphlet was critical. Burke condemned those close to the king, who determined his position on a variety of issues.
In 1774, Burke was elected to the House of Commons for Bristol, then the second most important city inEngland. In parliament, the politician began to defend the interests of local merchants and industrialists. The break with the Bristolians occurred after the writer began to advocate a policy of reconciliation with Irish Catholics.
American question
In the 1770s, Burke wrote extensively about America. He also dedicated his public speeches in Parliament to the rebellious colonists. At that time, this question worried all the British. In 1774, the speech "On Taxation in America" was delivered and published, in 1775 - "Reconciliation with the Colonies".
Burke looked at the problem in terms of conservatism and pragmatism. He wanted by any means possible to achieve the preservation of the colonies as part of the British Empire. Therefore, he was a supporter of the policy of compromise. The parliamentarian believed that in order to find a common language with the Americans, you need to carefully study its inner life, and only on the basis of this knowledge build your position. Burke proposed to reduce taxes on trade with America, since only such a policy would save at least some income, while otherwise Great Britain would simply lose its colonies. There was a very small group of Lords in Parliament, speaking from the same position as Burke. The history of the relationship between the mother country and the colonies showed that he was right.
Burke and the French Revolution
In 1789, a revolution began in France. At its first stage, the majority of the inhabitants of Great Britain supported the discontented Bourbons. For events inEdmund Burke also followed Paris closely. “Reflections on the Revolution in France” is his book, which appeared in 1790 and reflected the thinker’s views on the situation in this state. In a 400-page pamphlet, the author described in detail the main principles and patterns of events in the neighboring country. Burke wrote his book primarily for compatriots. With her help, he hoped to warn the British against solidarity with the revolutionary masses in France. In "Reflections", Burke's ideology of conservatism was most clearly reflected in the work.
The writer believed that the revolution is dangerous because of its excessive attachment to theory. The dissatisfied in France spoke of abstract rights, preferring them to traditional, established state institutions. Burke was not only a conservative. He believed in the classical ideas of Aristotle and Christian theologians, believing that it was on them that an ideal society should be built. In Meditations, the politician criticized the theory of the Enlightenment that, with the help of reason, a person can penetrate any secrets of being. The ideologists of the French Revolution were for him inexperienced statesmen who could only speculate on the interests of society.
Meaning of Reflections
Reflections on the Revolution in France became Burke's most important work as a political thinker. Immediately after its publication, the book became the subject of a wide public discussion. She was praised, criticized, but no one could remain indifferent to what was written. Burke's earlier philosophical books were also popular, butit was the pamphlet about the revolution that hit the most sore European nerve. All the inhabitants of the Old World understood that a new era was coming, when civil society, with the help of the revolution, could change the objectionable government. This phenomenon was treated diametrically opposite, which was reflected in the work of the writer.
The book carried a premonition of disaster. The revolution did lead to a long crisis and numerous Napoleonic wars in Europe. The pamphlet also became a model of perfect command of the English literary language. Writers such as Matthew Arnold, Leslie Stephen and William Hazlit unanimously regarded Burke as the unsurpassed master of prose, and The Meditations as the most significant manifestation of his talent.
Recent years
After the publication of the Meditations, Burke's life went downhill. Due to ideological differences with colleagues, he found himself isolated in the Whig party. In 1794, the politician resigned, and a few months later his son Richard died. Burke was worried about events in Ireland, where a radical national movement was growing.
Meanwhile Great Britain started a war with revolutionary France. After the campaign dragged on, peaceful moods reigned in London. The government wanted to compromise with the Directory. Burke, though neither a politician nor an authority, continued to speak and write publicly. He was a supporter of war to a victorious end and opposed any kind of peace with the revolutionaries. In 1795 the publicist began workover the series "Letters for peace with the regicides". Two of them were written. The third Burke did not have time to finish. He died on July 9, 1797.
