# Thomas Macaulay — Progress and Poverty character guide

> Thomas Macaulay in Progress and Poverty by Henry George.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Macaulay

**First appearance:** 0076-i-the-current-theory-of-human-progress-its-insufficiency

## Who they are

Historian and politician, referenced in discussions of progress and civilization.

## Relationships

### [John Stuart Mill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/characters/john_stuart_mill)

_friendship_

Mill and Macaulay were contemporaries who debated political philosophy and historiography, with mutual respect despite disagreements.

## In the story

### [The Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/chapters/the-problem)

Macaulay is referenced as having prophesied the gathering of 'more hideous Huns and fiercer Vandals' in the shadow of civilization's institutions.

### [Endorsements and Objections](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/chapters/iv-endorsements-and-objections)

Quoted on the tendency to argue against any truth that threatens pecuniary interests.

### [How Modern Civilization May Decline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/chapters/iv-how-modern-civilization-may-decline)

Macaulay is referenced in the context of the idea that modern civilization could not be destroyed due to the lack of barbarians.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/characters/thomas_macaulay
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/progress_and_poverty_se/characters