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James Bryce (1838-1922)
As you surely know, C-Span has conducted a year-long campaign promoting
Tocqueville's account of democracy in America. In Oxford, in the 30s, I
taught a course on Tocqueville--the worst course I ever taught, since I had
never been in America. I couldn't understand why he had been selected. Now,
every literate American has heard of Tocqueville. I am wondering what is
behind this admirable blitz campaign, why of the many 19th century European
accounts of travels in America it was chosen.
Some listeners have complained that they are not interested in
Tocqueville. The C-Span host, Brian Lamb has reassured them that other
accounts will be taken up in future. Historian Stanley Kutler, appearing on
the program, suggested Lord Bryce. Brian Lamb, an unusually widely-read
man, asked who he was. Here are a few details. Bryce was popular and
highly respected in the United States, a country he knew well and where he
served as ambassador from 1907 to 1913. Bryce Canyon National Park is named
after him. His book THE AMERICAN COMMONWEALTH (1888) was generally
regarded as the most penetrating study of the American system.
He served as Regius Professor of Civil Law at Oxford and was a prominent
member of the Liberal Party. He was under-secretary for foreign affairs
under Gladstone, and later secretary of state for Ireland. Born in
Belfast, he, like Gladstone, favored Irish home rule. He became a member
of the International Court and was a key figure in the founding of the
League of Nations.
Ronald Hilton, 11-29-97
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