The Great Essayists

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20080204

The Great Essayists

Writer and philosopher AC Grayling explores key figures from the rich tradition of English essay writing.

1/4. English nobleman Francis Bacon is considered to be the father of the English essay and his work, first published at the end of the 16th century, has never been out of print since.

English nobleman Francis Bacon is considered to be the father of the English essay.

20080205

The Great Essayists

Writer and philosopher AC Grayling continues his exploration of key figures from the glory days of the English essay.

2/4. The essays of English parliamentarian Joseph Addison, born in 1672, are literary gems, showing an ease and lucidity of style combined with great wisdom on the subject of human virtue.

The essays of English parliamentarian Joseph Addison, born in 1672, are literary gems.

20080206

The Great Essayists

Writer and philosopher AC Grayling continues his exploration of key figures from the glory days of the English essay.

3/4. William Hazlitt was a journalist, critic and radical republican polemicist. He is renowned for the power and beauty of his prose in essays, ranging from a description of Poussin's famous painting of Orion to an evocation of the atmosphere at a bare-knuckle fight on the Hungerford Downs.

William Hazlitt was a journalist, critic and republican, renowned for his polemic prose.

20080207

The Great Essayists

Writer and philosopher AC Grayling concludes his exploration of key figures from the glory days of the English essay.

4/4. Matthew Arnold was known not only for his poetry, but also for his essays discussing new ideas about culture and values, and the dwindling significance of religion in the age of Darwin.

Poet Matthew Arnold was also known for his essays discussing new ideas about culture.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Comments
01	20080204	The Great Essayists Writer and philosopher AC Grayling explores key figures from the rich tradition of English essay writing. 1/4. English nobleman Francis Bacon is considered to be the father of the English essay and his work, first published at the end of the 16th century, has never been out of print since. English nobleman Francis Bacon is considered to be the father of the English essay.
02	20080205	The Great Essayists Writer and philosopher AC Grayling continues his exploration of key figures from the glory days of the English essay. 2/4. The essays of English parliamentarian Joseph Addison, born in 1672, are literary gems, showing an ease and lucidity of style combined with great wisdom on the subject of human virtue. The essays of English parliamentarian Joseph Addison, born in 1672, are literary gems.
03	20080206	The Great Essayists Writer and philosopher AC Grayling continues his exploration of key figures from the glory days of the English essay. 3/4. William Hazlitt was a journalist, critic and radical republican polemicist. He is renowned for the power and beauty of his prose in essays, ranging from a description of Poussin's famous painting of Orion to an evocation of the atmosphere at a bare-knuckle fight on the Hungerford Downs. William Hazlitt was a journalist, critic and republican, renowned for his polemic prose.
04	20080207	The Great Essayists Writer and philosopher AC Grayling concludes his exploration of key figures from the glory days of the English essay. 4/4. Matthew Arnold was known not only for his poetry, but also for his essays discussing new ideas about culture and values, and the dwindling significance of religion in the age of Darwin. Poet Matthew Arnold was also known for his essays discussing new ideas about culture.