His early essays and translations almost single-handedly introduced German Romanticism to the English-speaking world. His distinctive style, called Carlylese, is rich in vocabulary, humour and allusion his writing has been described as proto- postmodern. of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great (1858–1865) and beyond, were read widely throughout Europe and North America.Ĭarlyle's works amount to thirty volumes, most of which are in the genres of history and the critical essay. Each of his subsequent works, from On Heroes, Hero-Worship, & the Heroic in History (1841) to History of Friedrich II. After relocating to London, he wrote The French Revolution: A History (1837) and became prominent. His first major work, a novel entitled Sartor Resartus (1831) inspired by his own experience, went largely unnoticed. He contributed articles to the Edinburgh Encyclopædia and various periodicals, translated German authors, and established a modest reputation. In 1819, during a bleak period of his life, Carlyle's discovery of German literature rekindled his belief in God and provided the catalyst for much of his early literary career as an essayist and translator. He eventually lost his religious faith, abandoned the ministry, and resigned from his post in 1818, briefly enrolling as a law student before working as a tutor. Graduating with distinction in 1813, he prepared to become a minister in the United Secession Church while working as a schoolmaster, first in Annan and then in Kirkcaldy, teaching mathematics. The son of a stonemason, Carlyle was born in Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, where he attended the village school, Annan Academy, and finally the University of Edinburgh. Known as the Sage of Chelsea, he became "the undoubted head of English letters" in the 19th century. Thomas Carlyle (4 December 1795 – 5 February 1881) was a Scottish essayist, historian and philosopher.