Eminent Victorians by Lytton Strachey is a groundbreaking biographical work that redefined the genre of biography. Published in 1918, this collection of four essays offers a critical and often irreverent examination of the lives of four prominent figures of the Victorian era: Cardinal Manning, Florence Nightingale, Thomas Arnold, and General Gordon. Strachey's sharp wit and psychological insight dismantle the heroic myths surrounding these individuals, revealing their complexities and contradictions. Through his incisive analysis, Strachey challenges the traditional, hagiographic portrayals of Victorian icons, presenting them as flawed, multifaceted human beings.
With its pioneering approach and stylistic brilliance, Eminent Victorians revolutionized the art of biography, making it a must-read for anyone interested in history, literature, and the cultural legacy of the Victorian era.
