The Life of John Ruskin

"The Life of John Ruskin" by W. G. Collingwood is a biographical exploration of the renowned 19th-century art critic, social commentator, and writer, John Ruskin. The book begins by tracing Ruskin's Scottish lineage and the significant family dynamics that molded him in his formative years. It highlights his ancestry and the influential figures who shaped his early life. By establishing these roots, the book sets the stage for understanding the multifaceted nature of Ruskin's personality and intellect, as well as how he ascended in the artistic and intellectual world. The narrative creates a backdrop for the unfolding of Ruskin's life, illustrating the fusion of his Scottish heritage with his English upbringing, and foreshadowing how these elements would inform his future writings and analyses.