Edward Gibbon

Edward Gibbon (May 8, 1737 – January 16, 1794) was an English historian and essayist. He is best known for his work The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which is considered one of the greatest works of historical writing in the English language.

Early Life and Education

Gibbon was born in Putney, Surrey, England, to a wealthy family. He was educated at Westminster School and Magdalen College, Oxford. However, he was expelled from Oxford for converting to Roman Catholicism, and he completed his education at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.

Literary Career

Gibbon began his literary career as a writer of essays and pamphlets. He also worked as a journalist and a Member of Parliament. However, his most famous work is The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which he published in six volumes between 1776 and 1788. The work was a huge critical and commercial success, and it established Gibbon as one of the leading historians of his time.

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is a monumental work of historical scholarship. It covers the history of the Roman Empire from the second century AD to its fall in 1453 AD. Gibbon argued that the fall of the Roman Empire was not caused by any external factors, but by internal corruption and decay. He also argued that the rise of Christianity was a contributing factor to the empire's decline.

Legacy

Gibbon is considered one of the greatest historians of all time. His work The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is still widely read and studied today. It is considered a classic of historical writing, and it has had a profound influence on our understanding of the Roman Empire.

Key Works

• Essai sur l'étude de l'histoire (Essay on the Study of History, 1753)
• The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1776–1788)
• Mémoires de ma vie (Memoirs of My Life, 1778)

Quotes

• "History is nothing but the register of crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind."
• "The study of history is the best medicine for a wounded mind."
• "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."
• "The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know."
• "To live is to learn, and to learn is to live."