John Emerich Edward Dalberg, Lord Acton

1834–1902

Nationality: English

Historical Period: The 19th Century

Lord Acton (1834-1902) was one of the great historians of the Victorian period and one of the greatest classical liberal historians of all time. His theme was “the history of liberty” and even though he was never able to complete his magnum opus of that name he did write numerous essays, book reviews, and lectures. He also was the inspiration behind the multi-volume Cambridge Modern History.

See also our collection of extracts, essays, and study guides about Lord Acton.

Quotes from John Emerich Edward Dalberg, Lord Acton:

• John Emerich Edward Dalberg, Lord Acton on the Bastille, July 14, 1789
• John Emerich Edward Dalberg, Lord Acton on the destruction of the liberal Girondin group and the suicide of Condorcet during the French Revolution
• Lord Acton writes to Bishop Creighton that the same moral standards should be applied to all men, political and religious leaders included, especially since “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely”

Titles from John Emerich Edward Dalberg, Lord Acton:

• Author: Acton-Creighton Correspondence
• Author: BOLL 36: Lord Acton, “Inaugural Lecture on the Study of History” (1895)
• Author: Historical Essays and Studies
• Author: The History of Freedom and Other Essays
• Author: Lectures on Modern History
• Author: Lectures on the French Revolution (1910 ed.)
• Author: Lectures on the French Revolution (LF ed.)
• Author: Letters of Lord Acton to Mary, Daughter of the Right Hon. W.E. Gladstone
• Introduction: Il Principe
• Author: Selections from the Correspondence of the First Lord Acton, Vol. I