John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton Acton
John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton, 13th Marquess of Groppoli,, better known as Lord Acton, was an English Catholic historian, politician, and writer. A strong advocate for individual liberty, Acton is best known for his timeless observation on the dangers of concentrated authority. In an 1887 letter to an Anglican bishop, he famously wrote, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely," underscoring his belief that unchecked power poses the greatest threat to human freedom. His works consistently emphasized the importance of limiting governmental and institutional power in favor of individual rights and personal liberty.
A Lecture on the Study of History
Discover how history is a never-ending conversation that intertwines with today's world and shapes political decisions.
By John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton Acton
Lectures on Modern history
Explore a historical journey through politics and ideas to understand the story of modern transformative knowledge.
By John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton Acton
The History of Freedom, and Other Essays
Journey through history to explore the fierce battles for freedom and the constant struggle to balance authority with the rights of the individual.
By John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton Acton
Lectures on the French Revolution
Discover how a country's discontent and thirst for change sparked a bloody uprising against its own rulers.
By John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton Acton
Letters of Lord Acton to Mary, Daughter of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone
Step back into Victorian England and witness a meeting of minds as a famed historian shares his thoughts on politics and morality with the daughter of a powerful leader.
By John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton Acton