Inspirational Quotes by George Henry Lewes (English Philosopher)

George Henry Lewes (1817–78) was an English writer known for his biographies, literary criticism, plays, novels, philosophical works, acting, scientific studies, and editorial work. He gained recognition for his literary criticism, particularly his writings on Shakespeare, and his scandalous and enduring relationship with the novelist Mary Ann Evans (better known as George Eliot,) whom he supported and influenced in her writing.

Born in London, Lewes received his education at King’s College London. In the early 1840s, he wrote for various journals. He engaged in correspondence with John Stuart Mill, which led him to discover the positivist philosophy of Auguste Comte, considered the founder of sociology. In 1850, Lewes joined forces with his friend Thornton Leigh Hunt to launch a radical weekly publication called The Leader, where he contributed articles on literature and theater. His work on Comte’s Philosophy of the Sciences (1853) was initially published as a series of articles in The Leader.

Lewes achieved widespread acclaim for his book, The Biographical History of Philosophy (1845–46,) which aimed to provide a comprehensive and accessible account of the history of philosophy. He was also a talented fiction writer, his most famous work being Ranthorpe (1847.) This novel delved into psychology and mental health. Additionally, he published Life and Works of Goethe (2 vols., 1855,) which is still considered an invaluable introduction to the poet.

In 1851, Lewes met George Eliot, and their relationship began in 1854. However, they could not formalize their union due to Lewes’s acceptance of his wife Agnes’s affair with Hunt. As advocates of free love, inspired by Percy Bysshe Shelley, the Leweses held unconventional views on relationships. When Agnes had her first child with Hunt in 1850, Lewes registered the child as his own. Eliot greatly benefited from Lewes’s support and intellectual guidance, as evident in the scientific metaphors that pervade her works.

Before his scientific studies, Lewes authored numerous papers on motor and sensory nerves. He also published Seaside Studies (1858,) Physiology of Common Life (2 vols., 1859–60,) and Studies in Animal Life (1862.) These were followed by a study of Aristotle (1864) and his most ambitious work, Problems of Life and Mind (5 vols., 1873–79.) Additionally, he served as the editor of The Fortnightly Review (1865–66,) contributing articles on science, politics, and literary criticism.

Lewes made significant contributions to empirical metaphysics as a philosopher. His exploration of mental phenomena within social and historical contexts advanced psychological thought significantly.

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