The Life of Froude

"The Life of Froude" by Herbert W. Paul is a book that recounts the story of James Anthony Froude, an important writer and historian who left a strong mark on English literature. The biography explores Froude's life, starting with his difficult childhood, which included the loss of his mother and a strict upbringing. Paul describes Froude's complicated relationship with his clergyman father and the significant influence of his siblings, especially his brother Richard, on his thinking and feelings. As Froude grows up, the book shows his struggles with health problems and being bullied, but also his growing talent for writing and his interest in philosophical questions. This part of the story helps us understand how Froude's early life influenced his later work as a philosopher and writer, specifically during a time of big changes in the Church of England and British society.