Sartor Resartus Read Online

1795

Born 4 December in Ecclefechan, a small market village in Dumfriesshire in south-western Scotland; the first of nine children of James Carlyle, a stonemason, and Margaret Aitken, the daughter of a farmer and like her husband a strict Calvinist in religion.

1806

Sent to Annan Academy, 6 miles from Ecclefechan, to continue his schooling.

1809

Walks to Edinburgh in November to begin his University studies.

1813

Returns for a fifth session at the University of Edinburgh, enrolling in the Divinity Hall of the National Church.

1814

Preaches a sermon in March; in May leaves to teach mathematics at Annan Academy. Makes his first appearance in print with letter on mathematics in the Dumfries and Galloway Courier.

1816

Begins teaching at a school in Kirkcaldy, a town on the north shore of the Firth of Forth. Friendship deepens with Edward Irving, who becomes his closest friend.

1817

Breaks off his connection with Divinity Hall and renounces his intention of entering the ministry.

1818

Reads Gibbon’s Decline and Fall, which weakens his faith in Christianity. Meets Margaret Gordon of Kirkcaldy, with whom he falls in love.

1819

Begins to study German. Moves to Edinburgh, enrols in Scots Law classes, but soon loses interest. Earns money by translating and tutoring.

1820

Romance with Margaret Gordon ends. Writes biographies and articles for Brewster’s Edinburgh Encyclopaedia.

1821

Meets Jane Baillie Welsh, six years his junior, at her family’s home in Haddington, East Lothian; publishes his first original article.

1822

His first article on German literature published, in the New Edinburgh Review; completes translation of Legendre’s Elements of Geometry; writes his first attempt at fiction, ‘Cruthers and Johnson’. After a three-year period of intense inner turmoil, undergoes a conversion experience in Leith Walk, Edinburgh.

1824

‘Life of Schiller’ published in London Magazine. Meets Coleridge during his first visit to London. Translation of Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship published in three volumes; Goethe writes to thank Carlyle for a presentation copy.

1825

Life of Friedrich Schiller, Comprehending an Examination of his Works published in book form. Begins work on a story, ‘Illudo Chartis’, abandoned within a year.

1826

Marries Jane Welsh; they move to Edinburgh.

1827

German Romance: Specimens of its Chief Authors with Biographical and Critical Notices published in four volumes. ‘Jean Paul Friedrich Richter’ published, his first contribution to Edinburgh Review. Begins work on an autobiographical novel, Wotton Reinfred (never completed).

1828

Carlyles move to Craigenputtock, a small, remote farming property in Dumfriesshire. ‘Burns’ published in Edinburgh Review.

1829

‘German Playwrights’, ‘Voltaire’, and ‘Novalis’ published in Foreign Review; ‘Signs of the Times’ in Edinburgh Review. Correspondence with Goethe continues.

1830

‘Thoughts on History’ published in Fraser’s Magazine; begins Sartor Resartus.

1831

Feels he has ‘almost done’ with German literature. Sartor Resartus finished in July. Arrives in London in August to arrange for its publication, but negotiations with John Murray are unsuccessful. First meets John Stuart Mill. ‘Characteristics’ published in Edinburgh Review.

1832

Death of Carlyle’s father; death of Goethe. ‘Biography’ and ‘Boswell’s Life of Johnson’ published in Fraser’s Magazine, ‘Corn-Law Rhymes’ in Edinburgh Review.

1833

‘Diderot’ published in the Foreign Quarterly Review. Emerson visits Carlyle at Craigenputtock. Serialization of Sartor Resartus begins in Fraser’s Magazine.

1834

The Carlyles move to London and settle at 5 Cheyne Row, Chelsea. Begins work on French Revolution. Reception of Sartor Resartus is generally poor; arranges for a small edition of fifty-eight copies, sewn together from the magazine parts, to distribute to friends. Death of Edward Irving.

1835

First acquaintance with John Sterling. Manuscript of the first volume of French Revolution inadvertently destroyed by a servant of John Stuart Mill.

1836

Sartor Resartus: The Life and Opinions of Herr Teufelsdröckh published in book form in Boston with preface by Emerson.

1837

‘Diamond Necklace’ published in Fraser’s Magazine. Second edition of Sartor Resartus published in Boston. French Revolution: A History published in three volumes; becomes critical and popular success.

1838

First English edition in book form of Sartor Resartus.

1839

Critical and Miscellaneous Essays published in four volumes; Chartism published.

1841

On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History published.

1843

Past and Present published.

1844

Death of Sterling.

1845

Oliver Cromwell’s Letters and Speeches: with Elucidations published in two volumes.

1850

Latter-Day Pamphlets published.

1851

Life of John Sterling published.

1852

Begins work on a history of Frederick the Great.

1853

Death of Carlyle’s mother.

1856—8

First collected edition of his works published.

1858—65

The six volumes of History of Friedrich II of Prussia, called Frederick the Great published.

1866

Inaugural address as Rector of the University of Edinburgh. Death of Jane Welsh Carlyle, who is buried at Haddington.