Thomas Carlyle

On Heroes, Hero-Worship and the Heroic in History Thomas Carlyle

On Heroes, Hero Worship, and The Heroic in History by Thomas Carlyle, is a collection of six lectures given in May 1840 about prominent historical figures. It sets out Carlyle's belief in the importance of heroic leadership, his view of how the world would be if powerful and inspired men were to have the power he thought they deserved.

The collection includes figures ranging from religion to literature and politics, and the figures chosen were presented by Carlyle as archetypal examples of individuals who had dramatically impacted history for good or ill. The figures are: Odin (Paganism), Muhammad (Islam), Dante & Shakespeare (Poet), Luther & Knox (Priest), Johnson, Rousseau & Burns (Man of Letters), Cromwell & Napoleon (Modern revolutionism).