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Three Lives in an Age of Empire: The Lewis Walpoles in Eighteenth Century Culture

James Gray

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Published in The Warrior The Voyager And The Artist: Three Lives In An Age Of Empire (The Lewis Walpole In Eighteenth Century Culture And History)

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The Warrior the Voyager and the Artist: Three Lives in an Age of Empire (The Lewis Walpole in Eighteenth Century Culture and History)

The Warrior, the Voyager, and the Artist: Three Lives in an Age of Empire (The Lewis Walpole Series in Eighteenth-Century Culture and History)

by Kate Fullagar

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	28559 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	320 pages

Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, was a towering figure in eighteenth-century British politics. His son, Horace Walpole, was a renowned author, art historian, and collector. And his grandson, George Walpole, was a successful politician and diplomat.

Together, these three men played a significant role in shaping British culture and society during a period of profound change. In Three Lives in an Age of Empire, historian Richard Wendorf tells the story of their lives and careers, offering a unique perspective on the rise and fall of the British Empire.

The book begins with a detailed biography of Sir Robert Walpole. Wendorf paints a vivid portrait of a complex and contradictory figure who was both a brilliant politician and a ruthless pragmatist.

Walpole was born in 1676 to a wealthy Norfolk family. He entered politics in 1701 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming First Lord of the Treasury in 1715. He served as Prime Minister for over twenty years, during which time he oversaw a period of unprecedented prosperity and stability for Britain.

However, Walpole was also a controversial figure. He was accused of corruption and cronyism, and his policies were often criticized as being too pro-establishment. In 1742, he was forced to resign from office after a series of scandals.

Walpole's son, Horace, was born in 1717. He was a precocious child who showed an early interest in literature and the arts. He was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, and after graduating he embarked on a Grand Tour of Europe.

Horace Walpole returned to England in 1741 and began his career as a writer. He published his first novel, The Castle of Otranto, in 1764. The novel was a huge success and helped to establish Walpole as one of the leading figures in the Gothic Revival.

In addition to his writing, Horace Walpole was also a passionate collector of art and antiques. He inherited his father's vast collection and added to it throughout his life. He also designed and built Strawberry Hill House, a Gothic Revival villa that housed his collection.

Horace Walpole was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a brilliant writer and a gifted collector, but he was also a snob and a gossip. He was often critical of his father's policies, but he also benefited from his father's patronage.

George Walpole, Horace's nephew, was born in 1751. He was a successful politician and diplomat who served as British ambassador to France and Russia. He was also a close friend of the Prince of Wales, later George IV.

George Walpole was a more conventional figure than his father and uncle. He was a loyal supporter of the British government and its policies. He also had a keen interest in the arts and was a patron of several artists and writers.

Three Lives in an Age of Empire is a fascinating and informative account of three generations of a remarkable family. Wendorf's book offers a unique perspective on the rise and fall of the British Empire and on the lives of three of its most prominent figures.

Reviews

"Three Lives in an Age of Empire is a magisterial work of scholarship. Wendorf has produced a definitive account of the Walpole family and their role in British history." - Jeremy Black, author of Walpole: Architect of Britain's Golden Age

"Wendorf's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the British Empire or in the lives of three of its most fascinating figures." - Linda Colley, author of Britons: Forging the Nation, 1707-1837