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The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius: Selections Annotated and Explained Russell McNeil, PhD Editor, Malaspina Great Books In 1862 the English literary critic and poet Matthew Arnold described Marcus Aurelius as "the most beautiful figure in history." The Stoicism of Aurelius is grounded in rationality and rests solidly on an ethical approach rooted in nature. Stoicism promises real happiness and joy in this life and a serenity that can never be soured by personal misfortune. This philosophy has universal appeal with practical implications on problems ranging from climate change and terrorism to the personal management of sickness, aging, depression and addiction. I truly believe that the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius has much to offer us now...(Click on book cover for more)

Category:	Classical Theatre
Name:	Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Birth Year:	1751
Death Year:	1816
Representative Image:
Biography, Lectures, and Research Links:	Biography Blog Richard Brinsley Sheridan SEARCH NOW: by title by author Richard Brinsley Sheridan Richard Brinsley Sheridan seems to have had two good plays, one good opera, and one good oration in his system. His life, aside from that, boils down to twenty years of fashionable life in London as a dabbler in politics, the companion of dissolute princes and a wastrel. At the age of 21, following a romantic elopement, he married and set up housekeeping in London on a grand scale with no money and no prospects except his wife's dowry. The young couple, nevertheless, entered the fashionable world and apparently held up their end in entertaining. Sheridan's lucky star was in the ascendant, however, for on January 17, 1775, at the Covent Garden Theater, The Rivals was produced. The first performance was not a success. It was too long and the part of Sir Lucius O'Trigger was poorly played. On January 28, a second performance proved a complete success, establishing both play and playwright in the favor of fashionable London. The following year Sheridan, his father-in-law (the composer, Thomas Finley) and Dr. Ford bought a half interest in the Drury Lane theater and in 1778 became sole owners. Shortly after the success of The Rivals Sheridan with the help of his father-in-law produced the opera, The Duenna. This piece was accorded such a warm reception that it played for seventy-five performances. On May 8, 1777, Sheridan directed his masterpiece, A School for Scandal, in the Drury Lane theater of which he was now manager, with Mrs. Abington in the rôle of Lady Teazle. The play lacks the unity which marks The Rivals, and it does not have the same wealth of broadly humorous incident. Of the many "screen" scenes of dramatic history, however, the one in School for Scandal is by far the cleverest, while the "auction" scene is a success on any stage. In 1780 Sheridan entered Parliament as the ally of Charles James Fox on the side of the American Colonials. He is said to have paid the burgesses of Stafford five guineas apiece for the honor of representing them. As a consequence, his first speech in Parliament had to be a defense against the charge of bribery. During the bitter political controversies of the period Sheridan was practically the only man in Parliament who was never challenged to a duel . . . this, in spite of the sharp and effective weapon of ridicule he constantly wielded. When finally he failed of reelection to Parliament his creditors closed in on him and his last years were harassed by debt and disappointment. In the course of events the American Congress offered Sheridan 20,000 pounds in recognition of his efforts to prevent the Revolutionary War. To his eternal credit is recorded the refusal of this gift. [Adapted from Minute History of the Drama Alice B. Fort & Herbert S. Kates. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1935. p. 64.] The Great Books: Richard Brinsley Sheridan Please browse our Amazon list of titles about Richard Brinsley Sheridan. For rare and hard to find works we recommend our Alibris list of titles about Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Post Comments, Questions or Suggestions! This database is maintained by Malaspina Great Books.
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Records from Related Period and Category:	Classical Theatre

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This web page is part of a biographical database on Great Ideas. These are living ideas that have shaped, defined and directed world culture for over 2,500 years. By definition the Great Ideas are radical. As such they are sometimes misread, or distorted by popular simplifications. Understanding a Great Idea demands personal engagement. Our selection of Great Ideas is drawn from literature and philosophy, science, art, music, theatre, and cinema. We also include biographies of pivotal historical and religious figures, as well as contributions from women and other historically under-represented minorities. The result is an integrated multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary database built upon the framework of the always controversial Great Books Core List published in 1940 by the late Great Books Pioneer Mortimer Adler (1902-2001). Most of the works on that list are available in the 60 volume Great Books of the Western World.