Cardinal Manning

Cardinal Manning by Lytton Strachey

The work chronicles the life of Henry Edward Manning, a prominent ecclesiastic in 19th-century England, whose journey reflects the complexities of faith, ambition, and the evolving landscape of the Church. Born into a wealthy family, Manning initially pursued a political career but shifted towards the Church after personal and financial upheavals. His early life was marked by a strict Evangelical upbringing, which later transformed as he became involved in the Oxford Movement, advocating for a return to Catholic traditions within the Church of England. Manning's career progressed as he became a respected clergyman, eventually rising to the position of Archdeacon of Chichester. His involvement in the Oxford Movement led him to embrace Catholicism, culminating in his conversion in 1851, which caused a rift with his long-time friend, Mr. Gladstone. As a Catholic, Manning quickly gained prominence, becoming Archbishop of Westminster and a key figure in the Catholic Church in England. The narrative explores Manning's administrative abilities, his efforts in social reform, and his role in the Church's response to modernity, particularly during the Vatican Council of 1870, which defined Papal Infallibility. His relationship with Newman, another significant figure of the time, is characterized by tension and rivalry, particularly as Manning sought to consolidate his power within the Church, often at the expense of Newman's influence. Manning's later years were marked by a vigorous engagement in public life, addressing issues of poverty and labor rights, especially during the Dock Strikes of 1889. His death in 1892 prompted a significant public outpouring of grief, reflecting his impact on both the Church and society. The work ultimately presents a complex portrait of a man driven by faith, ambition, and a desire to navigate the challenges of his time, leaving a lasting legacy in the Catholic Church in England.

By Lytton Strachey · First published 1928 · Genre: Biography, History, Religious Studies · 11 chapters · 42,092 words

First lines

Henry Edward Manning was born in 1807 and died in 1892. His life was extraordinary in many ways, but its interest for the modern inquirer depends mainly upon two considerations -- the light which his career throws upon the spirit of his age, and the psychological problems suggested by his inner history. He belonged to that class of eminent ecclesiastics -- and it is by no means a small class -- who have been distinguished less for saintliness and learning than for practical ability. Had he lived in the Middle Ages he would certainly have been neither a Francis nor an Aquinas, but he might have been an Innocent. As it was, born in the England of the nineteenth century, growing up in the very seedtime of modern progress, coming to maturity with the first onrush of Liberalism, and living long enough to witness the victories of Science and Democracy, he yet, by a strange concatenation of circumstances, seemed almost to revive in his own person that long line of diplomatic and administrative clerics which, one would have thought, had come to an end forever with Cardinal Wolsey.

What this Textopian page supports

Cardinal Manning is listed on Textopian as a novel by Lytton Strachey, dated 1928 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Good citation fit

Discussion starters

Similar titles

Genres

Tags

Biography · Non-fiction · Historical · Religious · Catholicism · Church History · Vatican I · Papacy · Cardinal · Archbishop · England · 19th Century

Contents

More by Lytton Strachey