Edward Gibbon

English historian and politician (1737-1794) · United Kingdom · Writers · Died at 56

Edward Gibbon is read about 624 times a day, in 75 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 15 October 2026

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He wrote the definitive account of Rome's collapse - six volumes tracing empire to ruin - and slipped in a savage critique of Christianity that made him both essential and controversial.

Academics Writer / Author History Politics Literature Early Modern Era

A life in dates

1794Died16 January 17941793“Louis had given and suffered every thing.”In their words4 April 1793Letter to Lady Elizabeth Foster (4 April 1793), quoted in The Letters of Edward Gibbon: Volume Three 1784-1794, Letters 619-878, ed. J. E.Read the whole statement

1791“Poor Burke is the most eloquent and rational madman that I ever knew. I love Fox's feelings, but I detest the political principles of the man and of the party. ...”In their words31 May 1791Letter to Lord Sheffield (31 May 1791), quoted in The Letters of Edward Gibbon: Volume Three 1784-1794, Letters 619-878, ed. J. E. NortonRead the whole statement

“The primitive Church, which I have treated with some freedom, was itself at that time, an innovation, and I was attached to the old Pagan establishment.”In their words5 February 1791Letter to Lord Sheffield (5 February 1791), quoted in The Letters of Edward Gibbon: Volume Three 1784-1794, Letters 619-878, ed. J. E.Read the whole statement

1790“I cannot repress my indignation at the use of those foolish obsolete, odious, words Whig and Tory.”In their words7 August 1790Letter to Lord Sheffield (7 August 1790), quoted in The Letters of Edward Gibbon: Volume Three 1784-1794, Letters 619-878, ed. J. E. NortonRead the whole statement

1779“Mr. Gibbon may still maintain the character of an historian; but it is difficult to conceive how Mr. Davis will support his pretensions, if he aspires to that of a gentleman.”In their wordsVindication (1779), section XIRead the whole statement

“It is the misfortune of controversy, that an error may be committed in three or four words, that cannot be rectified in less than thirty or forty lines.”In their wordsVindication (1779), section XIVRead the whole statement

1737Born8 May 1737

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Photos 8

Edward Emily Gibbon

GIBBON(1818) p1.010 Portrait of EDWARD GIBBON

GIBBON(1862) p1.008 EDWARD GIBBON

Dr. Samuel Johnson, Oliver Goldsmith, Alexander Pope, Edward Gibbon. The Best of the World's Classics, 1909. (4079049409)

Edward Gibbon (1737-1794)

Edward Gibbon (BM 1901,1022.1787)

Edward Gibbon EMWEA

Edward Gibbon, PA05882

In their own words 10

Edward Gibbon

10 statements, newest first

Louis had given and suffered every thing.
Apr 4, 1793, Letter to Lady Elizabeth Foster (4 April 1793), quoted in The Letters of Edward Gibbon: Volume Three 1784-1794, Letters 619-878, ed. J. E., Own words
I shuddered at Gray's motion, disliked the half-support of Fox, admired the firmness of Pitts declaration, and excused the usual intemperance of Burke. ...
May 30, 1792, Letter to Lord Sheffield (30 May 1792), quoted in The Letters of Edward Gibbon: Volume Three 1784-1794, Letters 619-878, ed. J. E. Norton, Own words
Poor Burke is the most eloquent and rational madman that I ever knew. I love Fox's feelings, but I detest the political principles of the man and of the party. ...
May 31, 1791, Letter to Lord Sheffield (31 May 1791), quoted in The Letters of Edward Gibbon: Volume Three 1784-1794, Letters 619-878, ed. J. E. Norton, Own words

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In their orbit

Mother: Judith Porten

About this person

Edward Gibbon was born on 8 May 1737 in Britain and became an essayist, historian, and minor politician. Between 1776 and 1789 he published The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire across six volumes, achieving both critical praise and commercial success. The work distinguished itself through the quality and irony of its prose and rigorous use of primary sources. Its polemical criticism of organised religion sparked debate even as it secured the book's influence. Gibbon died on 16 January 1794, leaving behind the most important historical work of his era.

Country

United Kingdom

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