Acton, John Emerich Edward Dalberg (1834-1902)

British historian and Liberal politician, leader of the liberal Catholic movement. He was a member of Parliament 1859-65, and became a friend and adviser of Prime Minister Gladstone.

Joint proprietor of the monthly Rambler, Acton became its editor, converting it in 1862 into the quarterly Home and Foreign Review, representing liberal Catholic opinion. He strenuously opposed the doctrine of papal infallibility and worked for the reunion of Christendom. He was elected to Parliament for Carlow 1859, and was created a baron 1869. Acton helped to found the English Historical Review 1886. His independent works include ‘Lectures on Modern History’ 1906, ‘The History of Freedom and Historical Essays and Studies’ 1907, and ‘Lectures on the French Revolution’ 1910.