Thomas Babington, Lord Macaulay was born on October 25, 1800.

Then out spake brave Horatius,
The Captain of the Gate:
“To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his gods?”

Sir Thomas James Babington Macaulay, Baron of Rothley lived from October 25, 1800 through December 28, 1859.  He was a historian and a Whig politician who wrote essays and reviews extensively.  His books on British history are seen as literary masterpieces.

Macaulay held political office as Secretary at War and then as Paymaster-General.  He is also renown for the role he played in bringing English and western concepts to education in India.  Until this, Persian had been used instead of English in the Indian education system.

Not at all biased, he divided the world into civilized and barbaric nations.  England, of course, representing the high point of civilization….  India, no doubt, held some exception that belief.  Despite his idealization of British culture and tradition, there can not be any doubt of his influence on the lives and culture of many.

While finding nothing as useless as general maxims generally, Lord Macaulay’s essay on Machiavelli may be read in its entirety here:

http://www.bartleby.com/27/24.html

We have previously posted on M , how about a little something summarizing  the life and relevance of Thomas Babington Macaulay: