Lecky, William Edward Hartpole (1838-1903)

Irish historian and philosopher. Lecky was admired by contemporaries an impartial and authoritative commentator, whose works were characterized by their spirit of tolerance and liberal outlook. His History of England in the Eighteenth Century, 1878-90, which countered the anti-Irish bias of some earlier historians, was widely praised.

Lecky was born near Dublin into a Protestant family of Scottish origin. He was educated at Armagh School and Trinity College, Dublin. Other works include Leaders of Public Opinion in Ireland, 1862, and Democracy and Liberty, 1896. He sat as the Unionist MP for Dublin University, 1895-1902.