Burke Edmund: biography, political and aesthetic views

English speaker, statesman and political thinker Burke Edmund was born January 12, 1729 in Dublin. His father was a court attorney and a Protestant, and his mother a Catholic. Edmund decided to link 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. In addition, he did not return to Dublin. Ireland did not like its young provinciality. Left in London, he devoted himself to literature.

The first work "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 issued for his essay. The first books written by Burke Edmund are practically unknown to descendants and do not represent anything of interest. These experiments were important for the creative growth of the author himself.

Confession

The first serious work of Burke was "Philosophical study of the origin of our ideas about the high and beautiful." After the publication of this work in 1757, the author drew attention to the most eminent thinkers of that era: Lessing, Kant and Diderot. Burke Edmund acquired a recognized reputation among writers. In addition, the study allowed him to begin his own political career.

Another serious success of the writer in those years was the magazine "Annual Register". Burke Edmund held the post of chief editor, and the publisher was Robert Dodsley. In the years 1758-1765. The Irishman wrote in this edition many articles that have become an important part of his creative heritage. Especially a lot in the "Annual Register" Burke printed materials on history. At the same time, he never admitted that he works in a magazine, and published articles anonymously.

Political career

In 1759, Burke entered the civil service. For a while he almost abandoned his literary career, as it almost did not bring any money. Two years earlier, Bork Edmund had married Jane Nugent. The couple had two sons. The question of finance has become more acute than ever. As a result, Burke became the personal secretary of diplomat William Hamilton. Working with him, the writer gained important political experience.

In 1765 Burke quarreled with Hamilton and became unemployed. Dublin, Ireland, the years spent in London as a writer, the work of a secretary - all this remained in the past. Now we had to start from scratch. The difficulties did not frighten the publicist who was left without income. Already at the end of the year he fell into the House of Commons, having elected through Wendover County.

Member of parliament

The main patron of Burke in parliament was the Marquess of Rockingham, in 1765-1766. Who held the post of prime minister. When he resigned and became the head of the opposition of the new government, it was his protege, who left Hamilton, who became the main mouthpiece of an influential politician in the highest power circles. The parliament immediately drew attention to such a rare and talented speaker as Edmund Burke. The writer's books soon remained in the shadow of his public appearances.

A member of the House of Commons had an attractive eloquence. In the parliament, his former writing skills were also useful to him. Burke himself prepared his numerous reports and speeches before the lords. He was able to generalize colossal arrays of information and operate on disparate facts. The Thinker was a member of Parliament for almost 28 years, and all these years he remained a popular and demanded speaker, who was listened to with bated breath.

Pamphleteer

Burke wrote not only philosophical books. His pen belonged to pamphlets, which were written specifically for the Whig party. Thus, in 1770, "Thoughts on the cause of the current discontent" were published. In this document, the author gave his definition of the party as an instrument of politics and cited arguments in favor of protecting its state rule. The pamphlet was of a critical nature. Burke condemned the approximate king, who determined his position in various issues.

In 1774 Burke was elected to the House of Commons from Bristol - then the second most important city in England. In parliament, the politician began to defend the interests of local merchants and industrialists. The break with Bristol came after the writer began to advocate a policy of reconciliation with the Irish Catholics.

The American question

In 1770, Burke wrote a lot about America. He also devoted his revolt to the colonists to his public speeches in the parliament. At that time, this question worried all the British. In 1774, the speech "On Taxation in America" was published and published, in 1775 - "Reconciliation with Colonies".

Burke looked at the problem from the point of view of conservatism and pragmatism. He wanted by all possible means to achieve the preservation of the colonies within the British Empire. Therefore, he was a supporter of a policy of compromise. The parliamentarian believed that in order to find a common language with the Americans, you need to carefully study its internal life, and only on the basis of this knowledge to build your position. Burke proposed to reduce taxes on trade with America, since only such a policy will allow at least some income, whereas otherwise the United Kingdom will simply lose its colonies. In Parliament there was a very small group of lords who acted in the same position as Burke. The history of the relationship between the metropolis and the colonies showed that he was right.

Burke and the French Revolution

In 1789 the revolution in France began. At the first stage, most British residents supported the dissatisfied Bourbons. Edmund Burke followed closely the events in Paris. "Reflections on the Revolution in France" - his book, which appeared in 1790 and reflected the views of the thinker on the situation in this state. In the 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 its help, he hoped to warn the British against solidarity with the revolutionary masses in France. In "Reflections" the brightest thing in the work of Burke reflected his ideology of conservatism.

The writer believed that the revolution is dangerous because of its excessive attachment to the theory. Dissatisfied in France spoke about 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 Reflections, the politician criticized the theory of the Enlightenment era that with the help of reason a person can penetrate into any secrets of being. The ideologists of the French Revolution were for him inexperienced state men who could only speculate on the interests of society.

The meaning of "Reflections"

"Reflections on the Revolution in France" became Burke's most important work as a political thinker. Immediately after the publication of the book, the book became the subject of broad public discussion. She was praised, criticized, but no one could remain indifferent to what was written. Burke's previous philosophical books were also popular, but it was the pamphlet about the revolution that got into the most sickly European nerve. All the inhabitants of the Old World understood that a new era was approaching, when civil society, with the help of the revolution, could replace the unwanted power. This phenomenon was treated diametrically opposite, which was reflected in the writer's work.

The book contained a premonition of a catastrophe. The revolution did lead to a long crisis and numerous Napoleonic wars in Europe. Pamphlet has also become a model of perfect knowledge of the English literary language. Writers such as Matthew Arnold, Leslie Stephen and William Hazlitt, unanimously considered Burke an unrivaled master of prose, and "Reflections" - the most significant manifestation of his talent.

Last years

After the publication of "Reflections" Burke's life went downhill. Because of ideological disagreements with colleagues, he was isolated in the Whig party. In 1794, the politician resigned, and a few months later his son Richard died. Burke disturbed the events in Ireland, where the radical national movement was growing.

Meanwhile, Britain began 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 not a politician and did not have the authority, continued to publicly speak and write. He was a supporter of the war to the victorious end and opposed any peace with the revolutionaries. In 1795, the publicist began work on the series "Letters of peace with regicides". Two of them were written. The third Burke did not have time to finish. He died on July 9, 1797.