RUSKIN AND VICTORIAN INTELLECTUAL LIFE
Manuscripts of John Ruskin (1819-1900) from the Ruskin Library, University of Lancaster

Part 1: Diaries, 1835-1888

This project gives a fascinating insight into the life of one of the most important social and political commentators of the Victorian era, who also became one of its chief arbiters of taste.

• There are 29 volumes of diaries in total covering the period 1835, 1840-41, 1844-52, 1854, 1856-78, 1880-85, 1888.  These are a crucial source for anyone wishing to understand Ruskin’s thoughts, views and activities.
• They describe his travels to the Alps and to Italy (especially to Florence, Rome and Venice) and are embellished with numerous sketches.
• They provide his reactions to early Itailian art from Fra Angelico to Titian, and to contemporary artists such as Turner and Millais.
• They capture his views of landscape, the sublime, religion and death.

The diaries are far more extensive than the flawed printed edition and the juxtaposition of images and text and associated ideas will enable scholars to better understand Ruskin.