# John Ruskin — The Story of Utopias character guide

> John Ruskin in The Story of Utopias by Lewis Mumford.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Ruskin

**First appearance:** 0003-the-story-of-utopias

## Who they are

English art critic and social thinker whose utopian ideas are referenced.

## Relationships

### [James Buckingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/characters/james_buckingham)

_professional_

Buckingham and Ruskin were both Victorian social reformers and writers, though with differing approaches to utopian community design.

## In the story

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/vii)

Referenced as an example of a creative instructor whose addresses could be multiplied in an ideal educational system.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/v)

His plans for a 'Guild of St. George' are described as fragmentary and not embracing the whole of society, similar to the New Atlantis.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/vi)

Contrasted with Buckingham; Ruskin is noted for critical inquiry into the good life, which Buckingham lacks.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/vi)

Cited as possibly right that the perfect gentleman is a finer product than the perfect peasant or artisan.

### [How the half-worlds go, and how eutopia may come; and what we need before we can build Jerusalem in any green and pleasant land.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/xii)

Acknowledged for his critique of industrial capitalism and advocacy for a return to craftsmanship and moral economy.

### [The Eutopian Challenge: From Idola to Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/chapters/x)

Referenced as a figure whose utopian efforts also resulted in frustration, serving as a warning.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/characters/john_ruskin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_utopias_se/characters