On Liberty · Character

Thomas Carlyle

Scottish essayist and historian, mentioned in context of opposing views.

minor

Also known as Carlyle, Mrs. Carlyle

First appearance: ii of the liberty of thought and discussion

Thomas Carlyle's tie to John Stuart Mill is one of the pressures that moves On Liberty—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Mill influenced the writing and success of Carlyle's French Revolution.

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With John Stuart Mill (friendship): Duplicate entry: The complex friendship between Mill and Carlyle, marked by mutual respect but growing philosophical opposition. With Harriet Taylor Mill (social): Duplicate entry: Carlyle's strained acquaintance with Harriet, whom he viewed as a negative influence on Mill. With Wilhelm von Humboldt (social): Carlyle and Humboldt are both referenced by Mill as thinkers with contrasting views on authority and individual freedom.

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See Thomas Carlyle in ii of the liberty of thought and discussion

Character Web

4 connections

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Relationship types

Friendship
Social
Psychological

Character groups

Influences on Liberty
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

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Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

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Relationships

John Stuart Mill
friendship · ambivalent
Duplicate entry: The complex friendship between Mill and Carlyle, marked by mutual… How this plays out →
Harriet Taylor Mill
social · negative
Wilhelm von Humboldt
social · ambivalent
George Barnwell
psychological · negative
Harriet Taylor Mill
social · negative
John Stuart Mill
friendship · ambivalent
Duplicate entry: The complex friendship between Mill and Carlyle, marked by mutual… How this plays out →

John Stuart Mill
Duplicate entry: The complex friendship between Mill and Carlyle, marked by mutual respect but growing philosophical opposition.
Harriet Taylor Mill
Duplicate entry: Carlyle's strained acquaintance with Harriet, whom he viewed as a negative influence on Mill.
Wilhelm von Humboldt
Carlyle and Humboldt are both referenced by Mill as thinkers with contrasting views on authority and individual freedom.
George Barnwell
George Barnwell is used by Mill as a literary example of a misguided individual, contrasted with Carlyle's hero-worship ideas.
Harriet Taylor Mill
Harriet and Carlyle were acquaintances through Mill, with Carlyle often critical of her influence on Mill.
John Stuart Mill
Mill and Carlyle were close friends and intellectual correspondents, though their philosophical views diverged over time.

Relationship notes

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See Thomas Carlyle in ii of the liberty of thought and discussion

In the story

Thomas Carlyle appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Thomas Carlyle in ii of the liberty of thought and discussion

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