British Scholar: Strachey - "Eminent Victorians"

Eminent Victorians
Lytton Strachey (London: Penguin, 1986 (first published 1918)), 267 pages

The continued influence of Eminent Victorians on biographers testifies to the groundbreaking
nature of its style. Strachey set out to debunk the previously held romantic beliefs associated
with the larger-than-life figures portrayed. Instead of upholding the myths surrounding Manning,
Nightingale, Arnold, and Gordon, Strachey exposed each of them as human, fallible, and driven.
In many ways, Strachey formulates his biographical sketches by rejecting the Victorian view of
progress and heroism. Strachey uses his knowledge of history and skill in analyzing
contemporary correspondence and diary entries to unveil the authentic people behind the
historically-justified mythical reputations.

Examples of Strachey extolling the virtues of truth and realism and sacrificing idealistic portrayals
reveal themselves throughout his biographical history. Manning’s ambition not only forced him to
take orders in the Church of England but, in later life, molded his approach in ascending to the
position of Archbishop of Westminster, head of the Catholic Church in England. Florence
Nightingale, the quintessential nurse, appears, through Strachey’s untainted lens, as an
unwavering disciplinarian who literally worked two men to death. Dr. Arnold, the great
educational reformer, reformed very little. Finally, General Gordon’s image as the great
conquering hero shatters with Strachey’s depiction of an obstinate fighter bent on destroying
those opposed to his mission. This unyielding spirit played into the hands of the imperialistic
faction of the Government and led to his eventual martyrdom in Khartoum. Overall, Strachey’s
work sheds light on the inner psyche of his subjects so that he can wrest the truth from layers of
the romantic coloring provided by history.