John Ruskin (1819–1900)
Author of The King of the Golden River
About the Author
Ruskin was one of the most influential man of letters of the nineteenth century. An only child, Ruskin was born in Surrey. He attended Christ Church, Oxford, from 1839 to 1842. His ties to his parents, especially his mother, were very strong, and she stayed with him at Oxford until 1840, when, show more showing ominous signs of consumption, he left for a long tour of Switzerland and the Rhineland with both parents. His journeys to France, Germany, and, especially, Italy formed a great portion of his education. Not only did these trips give him firsthand exposure to the art and architecture that would be the focus of much of his long career; they also helped shape what he felt was his main interest, the study of nature. Around this time Ruskin met the landscape artist J. M. W. Turner, for whose work he had developed a deep admiration and whom he lauded in his Modern Painters (1843). In 1848 Ruskin married Euphemia (Effie) Gray, a distant cousin 10 years his junior. This relationship has been the focus of much scholarship, for six years later the marriage was annulled on the grounds of nonconsummation, and in 1855 Effie married John Everett Millais, the Pre-Raphaelite painter and an acquaintance of Ruskin. During the years 1849--52, Ruskin lived in Venice, where he pursued a course of architectural studies, publishing The Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849) and where he began The Stones of Venice (1851--53). It was also during this period that Ruskin's evangelicalism weakened, leading finally to his "unconversion" at Turin in 1858. His subsequent interest in political economy was clearly stated when, echoing his "hero," Carlyle, Ruskin remarked in the last volume of Modern Painters that greed is the deadly principle that guides English life. In a series of essays in Cornhill Magazine attacking the "pseudo-science" of political economists like J. S. Mill, David Ricardo, and Thomas Malthus, Ruskin argues that England should base its "political economy" on a paternalistic, Christian-based doctrine instead of on competition. The essays were not well received, and the series was canceled short of completion, but Ruskin published the collected essays in 1862 as Unto This Last. At the same time, he renewed his attacks on the political economists in Fraser's Magazine, later publishing these essays as Munera Pulveris (1872). From about 1862 until his death, Ruskin unsuccessfully fought depression. He was in love with Rose La Touche, whom he met when she was 11 and he 41. When she turned 18, Ruskin proposed, but the her parents opposed the marriage, and religious differences (she was devout; Ruskin was at this time a freethinker) kept them from ever marrying. La Touche died in 1875, insane, and three years later Ruskin experienced the first of seven attacks of madness that would plague him over the next 10 years. By 1869 Ruskin had accepted the first Slade Professorship of Fine Art at Oxford, begun his serial Fors Clavigera, been sued and found guilty of libel for his attack on Whistler in Fors Clavigera (he was fined a farthing), and resigned his professorship. Ruskin's work was instrumental in the formation of art history as a modern discipline. A capable artist, he complemented his technical understanding of art with insightful analysis and passionately held social ideals. His social writings are of interest today primarily as artifacts of the age, but his art criticism still holds an important place, especially in his appreciation of Turner. There is a vast number of works on Ruskin. From a literary standpoint, John Rosenberg's study, although dated because of many of its assumptions, is still an outstanding book. Jay Fellows's work is interesting and has caused much controversy among Ruskin scholars. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: John Ruskin (1863)
Series
Works by John Ruskin
Sesame and Lilies, Three Lectures: (Of Kings Treasures, Of Queens' Gardens and Of the Mystery of Life) (1865) 450 copies
The Genius of John Ruskin: Selections from His Writings (Victorian Literature and Culture Series) (1963) 143 copies
Giotto and his works in Padua An Explanatory Notice of the Series of Woodcuts Executed for the Arundel Society After… (1905) 30 copies
Aratra Pentelici, Seven Lectures on the Elements of Sculpture Given before the University of Oxford in Michaelmas Term,… (1907) 14 copies
Val d'Arno; ten lectures on the Tuscan art directly antecedent to the Florentine year of victories (2012) 11 copies
Selected writings 11 copies
The Ruskin Family Letters: The Correspondence of John James Ruskin, His Wife, and Their Son, John, 1801-1843 (1973) 10 copies
The Works of John Ruskin: The Seven Lamps of Architecture, Lectures on Architecture and Painting, The Queen of the Air,… (1885) 9 copies
Hortus Inclusus Messages from the Wood to the Garden, Sent in Happy Days to the Sister Ladies of the Thwaite, Coniston (2007) 9 copies
The Seven Lamps of Architecture; Lectures on Architecture and Painting; The Study of Architecture (2013) 9 copies
The Crown of Wild Olive also Munera Pulveris; Pre-Raphaelitism; Aratra Pentelici; The Ethics of the Dust; Fiction, Fair… (2011) 8 copies
The Storm-Cloud of the Nineteenth Century Two Lectures delivered at the London Institution February 4th and 11th, 1884 (2010) 7 copies
Works of John Ruskin: Volume 8: The Two Paths (1858-9); Lectures on Art (1870); Political Economy of Art (A Joy… (1859) 5 copies
Choice Works: Sesame and Lilies, The Crown of Wild Olive [and] The Ethics of the Dust (2015) 5 copies
The contemptible horse: The text of John Ruskin's letter to " My dear Tinie " written from the Bridge of Allan on 31… (1962) 5 copies
Time & Tide; Notes on the construction of Sheepfolds; Lecture to the Cambridge School of Art Etc 5 copies
Proserpina, Volume 1 Studies of Wayside Flowers, While the Air was Yet Pure Among the Alps and in the Scotland and… (2011) 5 copies
Proserpina, Volume 2 Studies of Wayside Flowers, While the Air was Yet Pure Among the Alps and in the Scotland and… (2011) 4 copies
Sublime & instructive; letters from John Ruskin to Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, Anna Blunden and Ellen Heaton (1972) 4 copies
Ruskin's Works: Deucalion; The King of the Golden River; The Eagle's Nest; Arrows of the Chace (Illustrated Sterling… (2010) 4 copies
Winnington Letters - John Ruskin's Correspondence with Margaret Alexis Bell and the Children at Winnington Hall,… (1969) 4 copies
Art Culture: A Hand Book of Art Technicialities and Criticisms sellected from the Works of John Ruskin (2010) 4 copies
The two paths, Love's meinie : also Val d'Arno, The pleasures of England, Mornings in Florence, Time and… (2010) 4 copies
John Ruskin's Correspondence with Joan Severn: Sense and Nonsense Letters (Legenda Main Series) (2009) — Author — 4 copies
Sesame and Lilies, Unto This Last, the Queen of the Air, The Storm Cloud of the Nineteenth Century ILLUSTRATED CABINET… (1900) 4 copies
The works of John Ruskin. 14, Academy notes. Notes on Prout and Hunt and other art criticisms : 1855 - 1888 (1904) 3 copies
SESAME AND LILIES AND UNTO THIS LAST 3 copies
The laws of Fesole : also, A joy forever ; Our fathers have told us ; Inaugural address ; Modern painters (1891) 3 copies
Praeterita, vol. 1 3 copies
The Works of John Ruskin Volume 25: Love's Meinnie and Proserpina (Cambridge Library Collection - Works of John Ruskin) (2010) 3 copies
Letter to young girls 3 copies
The Brantwood Diary of John Ruskin Together with Selected Related Letters and Sketches of Persons Mentioned (1971) 3 copies
Works of John Ruskin Volume 11: Sesame And Lilies / Ethics Of The Dust / Crown Of Wild Olive / Queen Of The Air (1865) 3 copies
The Stones of Venice the Fall the Poetry of Architecture Poems Giotto and His Works in Padua, Vol. 3 (Classic Reprint) (2015) 2 copies
Mornings in Florence; Time and Tide; The Art of England; Notes on Construction of Sheepfolds (2006) 2 copies
Work 2 copies
Natura 2 copies
Proserpina. Studies of wayside flowers, while the air was yet pure among the Alps, and in the Scotland and England… (2010) 2 copies
Praeterita; outlines of scenes and thoughts perhaps worthy of memory in my past life, vol. 2 2 copies
The Two Paths; Love's Meinie; Michael Angelo & Tintoret; Val d'Arno; Pleasures of England (1865) 2 copies
Sesame and Lilies and The Two Paths 2 copies
Menschen untereinander 2 copies
The Art and Criticism of John Ruskin 2 copies
The Works of John Ruskin: The Elements of Drawing. the Elements of Perspective. Aratra Pentelici 2 copies
Cameos of Great thoughts 2 copies
The Works of John Ruskin: Arrows of the Chace, being a collection of scattered letters published chiefly in the daily… (1881) 2 copies
Hvad vi skola tro och verka för : tankar om religion och moral : alla människokärlekens vänner… 2 copies
Thoughts from Ruskin 2 copies
The diaries of John Ruskin 2 copies
Praeterita, Outlines of Sces and Thoughts Perhaps Worthy of Memory in My Past Life. Volume Iii (1899) 2 copies
The works of John Ruskin, vol. 38 2 copies
The works of John Ruskin, vol. 37 2 copies
The works of John Ruskin, vol. 34 2 copies
The works of John Ruskin. vol. 36 2 copies
Guide to the principal pictures in the Academy of Fine Arts at Venice: Arranged for English travellers (2017) 2 copies
The Works of John Ruskin, Volume IX. The Queen of the Air: Being a Study of the Greek Myths of Cloud and Storm (2016) 1 copy
Delle tesorerie dei re 1 copy
La reina del aire: Un estudio sobre los mitos griegos de la nube y la tormenta (Spanish Edition) (2017) 1 copy
The Works of John Ruskin Volume 10: The Stones of Venice II (Cambridge Library Collection - Works of John Ruskin) (2010) 1 copy
The Religion of Ruskin: The Life and Works of John Ruskin; a Biographical and Anthological Study (2010) 1 copy
Bibliotheca Pastorum V2, Part 1: Rock Honeycomb, Broken Pieces Of Sir Philip Sidney's Psalter, Laid Up In Store… (2008) 1 copy
Selections 1 copy
The Bible of Amiens, Valle Crucis, the Art of England, the Pleasures of England (Paperback) (2010) 1 copy
The Works of Ruskin 1 copy
The Ruskin Reader; Being Passages Selected From Modern Painters, the Seven Lamps of Architecture, and the Stones of… (2009) 1 copy
Art Culture: A Hand-book Of Art Technicalities And Criticisms, Selected From The Works Of John Ruskin (2015) 1 copy
Byzantine Churches of Venice 1 copy
Stones of Venice Vol.6 1 copy
St. Marks Rest, Part 3: The History Of Venice, Written For The Help Of The Few Travelers Who Still Care For Her… (2008) 1 copy
Vós os Que Julgais a Terra 1 copy
Readings from Ruskin Italy 1 copy
The Complete Works of John Ruskin: Vol. 11-12; Elements of Drawing and Perspective; The Two Paths; Unto This Last;… (2017) 1 copy
Selection from the writings of John Ruskin with biographical introduction by William Sinclair 1 copy
Sesamo e gigli 1 copy
Great thoughts from Ruskin 1 copy
The works of John Ruskin. 12, Lectures on architecture and painting with other papers : 1844 - 54 1 copy
Fors Clavigera: Books III-IV 1 copy
Classic British Literature: 25 books by John Ruskin in a single file, improved 9/2/2010 (2009) 1 copy
Letters to M.G. & H.G 1 copy
Modern painters v. IV - V 1 copy
Vrednosti 1 copy
Modern painters v. III - IV 1 copy
The Works of John Ruskin: Modern Painters Part 6: Of Leaf Beauty/Part 7: Of Cloud Beauty/Part 8-9: Of Ideas of… (2011) 1 copy
The communism of John Ruskin; or,"Unto this last": two lectures from "The crown of wild olive"; and selections from… (2012) 1 copy
La guerra in Italia nel 1859 1 copy
Modern Painters - Vol 1-3 1 copy
Art in England 1 copy
Eight Ruskin Pamphlets 1 copy
The works of John Ruskin. Vol. 32: Studies of peasant life: The story of Ida. Roadside songs of Tuscany. Christ's folk… (2010) — Editor — 1 copy
Mystery of life 1 copy
My Dearest Dora: Letters to Dora Livesey, Her Family and Friends from John Ruskin, 1860-1900 (1984) 1 copy
Pittori moderni 2 1 copy
A book of Ruskin 1 copy
The Stones of Venice, Vol. 1: Introductory Chapters and Local Indices and for the Use of Travellers While Staying in… (2017) 1 copy
Lectures on Art and Aratra Pentelici: With Lectures and Notes on Greek Art and Mythology, 1870 (Classic Reprint) (2017) 1 copy
The poems of John Ruskin 1 copy
Readings from Ruskin: Italy 1 copy
Banen der kunst 1 copy
"Modern Painters, V.Ii-V" 1 copy
Worte Ruskins 1 copy
Pearls for Young Ladies 1 copy
The Works of John Ruskin: The Poetry of Architecture, Cottage, Villa, etc., to which is added Suggestions on Works of… (1873) 1 copy
The Complete Works of John Ruskin, Vol. 29: Miscellanies, Volumes One and Two (Classic Reprint) (2017) 1 copy
The Works of John Ruskin: "A Joy Forever" (and Its Price in the Market) being the substance (with additions) of two… (1880) 1 copy
The Crown of Wild Olive and Sesame and Lilies (A.L. Burt, Publisher [1890]) BURT'S LIBRARY OF THE WORLD'S… (1890) 1 copy
The Works of John Ruskin: Deucalion: Collected Studies of the Lapse of Waves, and Life of Stones/Proserpina: Studies of… (2012) 1 copy
The Works of John Ruskin: Poems/The Eagle's Nest: Ten Lectures on the Relation of Natural Science to Art given before… (2010) 1 copy
Works of John Ruskin: Volume 10: Ariadne Florentina (Six Lectures on Wood and Metal Engraving, With Appendix); The Art… (1872) 1 copy
Výklady o umění 1 copy
Ruskin's works 1 copy
Hvad vi skola älska och vårda : tankar om naturen och uppfostran : alla vänner af naturen tillegnade 1 copy
Selected Works 1 copy
Associated Works
The Assassin's Cloak: An Anthology of the World's Greatest Diarists (2000) — Contributor, some editions — 550 copies
Beyond the Looking Glass: Extraordinary Works of Fairy Tale & Fantasy (1985) — Contributor — 157 copies
Out of the Best Books: An Anthology of Literature, Vol. 5: Community Responsibility (1969) — Contributor — 30 copies
Lapham's Quarterly - Lines of Work: Volume IV, Number 2, Spring 2011 (2011) — Contributor — 29 copies
Out of the Best Books: An Anthology of Literature, Vol. 4: The World Around Us (1968) — Contributor — 29 copies
German popular stories : translated from the Kinder und haus Märchen (1823) — Introduction, some editions — 17 copies
Neoclassicism and Romanticism, 1750-1850: Sources and Documents (Sources & Documents in History of Art), Volume 2… (1970) — Contributor — 17 copies
Oogst der tijden : keur uit de werken van schrijvers en dichters aller volken en eeuwen (1940) — Contributor — 10 copies
The King of the Golden River [Abridged and simplified by Ronald Windross] — Original Author — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Ruskin, John
- Other names
- Phusin, Kata
- Birthdate
- 1819-02-08
- Date of death
- 1900-01-20
- Burial location
- Coniston Churchyard, Coniston, Cumbria, England, UK
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- UK
- Birthplace
- London, England, UK
- Place of death
- Coniston, England, UK
- Cause of death
- influenza
- Places of residence
- London, England
Oxford, England
Brantwood, Westmorland, England - Education
- Christ Church, Oxford University (BA|1842)
- Occupations
- art critic
professor
artist - Relationships
- Collingwood, William Gershom (personal secretary)
Carroll, Lewis (friend)
Kitchin, G. W. (friend) - Organizations
- Agricultural and Horticultural Association (founder)
University of Oxford
Guild of St George (founder) - Awards and honors
- Newdigate Prize for Poetry (1839)
Members
Discussions
Venice Approached by John Ruskin – OLD SCHOOL PRESS 2014 in Fine Press Forum (December 2022)
Reviews
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Awards
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Statistics
- Works
- 431
- Also by
- 36
- Members
- 7,824
- Popularity
- #3,112
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 66
- ISBNs
- 843
- Languages
- 19
- Favorited
- 12
Thy languid musings echo in my mind!