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.

Acton featured as the January 2023 OLL Birthday. Read it here

• Author: Acton-Creighton Correspondence
• 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