Thomas Carlyle

Historian, author of 'The French Revolution', University Rector, alumnus.

Background

Thomas Carlyle was born in Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, in 1795.

He attended the University of Edinburgh and, after graduating, became a maths teacher. By 1821, however, he had committed to a career as an author, writing works of fiction, essays and commentary on modern culture.

In 1837, he published his most successful work to date: The French Revolution: A History. With this, and his later publications, he became one of the most important writers of the period, influencing poets and authors such as Tennyson, Dickens, Ruskin and Thackeray.

He was installed as Rector of the University of Edinburgh in 1865.

Carlyle died in London in 1881.

The plaque

Carlyle's plaque can be found at 22A Buccleuch Place.