Thomas Carlyle Birthday & Fun Facts

Thomas Carlyle Birthday Highlights

Birth Name

Thomas Carlyle

Place Of Birth

Ecclefechan, scotland

Age

228 years old

Birth Date

December 4 1795

Thomas Carlyle Facts

Child Star?

no

Occupation

historian, critic, essayist, philosopher

Education & Qualifications

Tom Donaldson School in Ecclefechan, Hoddam Castle, Annan Academy, University of Edinburgh

Net Worth

$3,000,000

Current Partner

Jane Welsh Carlyle

Parents

James Carlyle, Margaret Aitken Carlyle

Siblings

Alexander Carlyle, Janet Carlyle, John Aitken Carlyle, Margaret Carlyle, James Carlyle, Mary Carlyle, Jean Carlyle, Janet Carlyle

Thomas Carlyle, nicknamed the 'Sage of Chelsea', was one of the Victorian period's foremost novelists and political thinkers.

Thomas Carlyle had an illustrious literary career enriched by distinctive Carlylese diction, allusions, and satire. He authored thirty volumes of critical essays and historical publications.

His famous works include 'Sartor Resartus', 'The French Revolution', 'History Of Friedrich II. Of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great', 'The Life Of John Sterling', 'Past And Present', and 'Early Kings Of Norway'.

What was Thomas Carlyle’s net worth?

Thomas Carlyle had an estimated $1-$5 million net worth.

How much did Thomas Carlyle earn per year?

There is no information available on the annual income of Thomas Carlyle.

How tall was Thomas Carlyle?

Thomas Carlyle was 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) tall.

How old was Thomas Carlyle?

Thomas Carlyle's birth date was December 4, 1795, and died at 85 on February 5, 1881.

Thomas Carlyle was brought into the world on December 4, 1795, in the village of Ecclefechan in the Southwest Scottish County of Dumfries, to parents James Carlyle (a stonemason turned farmer) and Margaret Aitken Carlyle. Thomas was James's second child and the firstborn child from his father's second marriage. Thomas Carlyle was the eldest of his eight other siblings.

At an early age, Thomas Carlyle attended the village school, Tom Donaldson School in Ecclefechan, followed by Hoddam Castle. After that, he was transferred in 1806 to Annan Academy and subsequently to the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1809. Due to his proficiency in mathematics, Thomas was hired as a math teacher at Annan in 1814. He transferred to a different school in Kirkcaldy in 1816. There he became friends with the Scottish preacher Edward Irving and deeply admired him.

Thomas gave up teaching and returned to the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in December 1819 to pursue law. He started learning German in 1819 and was introduced to the famous works of Jean-Paul Friedrich Richter, Friedrich Schiller, and most notably, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Who was Thomas Carlyle’s partner?

Thomas Carlyle was married to Jane Welsh Carlyle. Jane Welsh and Thomas were known to have had four sons and two daughters.

Best Known For…

Thomas Carlyle began his literary career by translating works by notable German authors, including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He moved to Craigenputtock in 1828 and lived there until 1834 when he wrote several well-known writings. In 1831, he finished writing the first of his famous works, the novel 'Sartor Resartus'. Thomas started drafting 'Sartor Resartus' in the form of articles, which were then serialized in 'Fraser's Magazine' between 1833 and 1834.

Thomas Carlyle relocated to London in 1834. His friend, John Stuart Mill, had entered into a contractual agreement with publishers to author a comprehensive French Revolution history. However, due to other commitments he had, it was handed over to Carlyle. Thomas Carlyle started working on it and wrote 'The French Revolution: A History' in three separate volumes. In Carlyle's opinion, the French Revolution's excesses were divine retribution against a self-centered monarchy and nobility.

He continued writing, and in 1840 he released 'Chartism', which challenged mainstream economic theory and showcased his unconventional ideas. His subsequent publication, 'On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and The Heroic in History', was built around five lectures he delivered in 1840. Thomas Carlyle asserts that a hero must possess sincerity, the capacity to convey profound truth,  intelligence, and spirituality.

In 1845, Thomas Carlyle completed his second historical book, 'Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches: With Elucidation'. He also composed 'Past and Present', which combined a critique of contemporary British society with medieval history. The piece was published in April 1843. 'History of Friedrich II of Prussia', his final significant publication, was released in 1858 and consisted of twenty-one novels.

His prodigious influence made Thomas Carlyle frequently regarded as a prophet. Carlyle's basic philosophy was that inequality was the fundamental law governing all existence. He figured prominently in influencing the development of political movements, including the Irish insurrection, socialism, and the Southern secessionist movement in the United States. The philosopher also played a pivotal role in defining the artistic and intellectual currents of the Victorian era, such as 'Romanticism', 'Medievalism', 'Transcendentalism', 'Arts and Crafts movement', 'Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood', and 'Aestheticism'.

Charity Work

Thomas Carlyle was frequently philanthropic even though he had limited means.

What awards did Thomas Carlyle win?

Thomas Carlyle received the Pour le Mérite from Otto von Bismarck. A few months later, Disraeli presented the Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath and state pension. Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm produced a memorial medal for him, which he received on his eightieth birthday in 1875. 119 of the time's top authors, scientists, and public personalities signed an address of appreciation for the philosopher.

Thomas Carlyle’s Hobbies And Interests

There is no information available regarding Thomas Carlyle's hobbies and interests. But, he traveled a lot, which also impacted his writing.

• Thomas Carlyle is attributed to the invention of the Carlyle circle in mathematics.
• He had been allowed to be buried at Westminster Abbey, but he preferred to be buried at Ecclefechan, Scotland, next to his parents.
• Thomas Carlyle was named rector of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, near the end of 1865.