Thomas Carlyle, History of Frederick the Great of Prussia

Nathan Uglow (Trinity All Saints, Leeds)
Download PDF Add to Bookshelf Report an Error

Carlyle's

History of Frederick II of Prussia

is at once a biography of an enlightenment monarch and general account of the theatre of war that was continental Europe throughout the eighteenth century. On both counts it stands as a monumental achievement carried out in the face of the traditional British obliviousness to all things continental. During the 13 years of intensive research he lavished on it, Carlyle read through swathes of documentation in several languages, collected portraits of the leading historical actors, and traced their intricate genealogies, alliances, and dynastic ambitions across the web of European nobility. As part of his quest for accuracy, Carlyle, the ever-unwilling traveler, even subjected the chief battle-sites to exacting scrutiny, and to such effect that…

2020 words

Citation: Uglow, Nathan. "History of Frederick the Great of Prussia". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 10 March 2001 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4723, accessed 19 March 2024.]

4723 History of Frederick the Great of Prussia 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

Save this article

If you need to create a new bookshelf to save this article in, please make sure that you are logged in, then go to your 'Account' here

Leave Feedback

The Literary Encyclopedia is a living community of scholars. We welcome comments which will help us improve.