Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 3 of 3), Essay 7: W.R. Greg: A Sketch

"Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 3 of 3), Essay 7: W.R. Greg: A Sketch" by John Morley is a journey into the world of William Rathbone Greg, a notable 19th-century intellectual and politician. This essay, part of a larger compilation, casts light on Greg's life, examining his intellectual impact and the political landscape he inhabited. Morley traces Greg's evolution from his early years and education at the University of Edinburgh to his transformation from a Manchester cotton manufacturer into a writer tackling major social problems; it emphasizes his views on effective governance, revealing Greg's faith in a merit-based system. The author paints Greg as a thoughtful figure deeply involved with knowledge-seeking, caring about the working class, and grappling with moral dilemmas, offering a window into the Victorian era's intellectual history.