Christopher Hill RIP

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Very saddened to read this morning that Christopher Hill had died. I only read a couple of his books - 'Milton and the English Revolution' and 'The World Turned Upside Down' - many years ago now, but I think they continue to inform the way I think about things (English high and low culture, religion and politics) in quite a fundamental way (the idea that the English civil war never ended, for example). I get the impression that historian friends of mine are a bit sniffy about him as a scholar (maybe he is an historian who is loved most by literature students, in the same way that some poets are loved most by novelists), and that his reputation had taken a revisionist downturn in recent years. Did he mean anything to you?

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 10:15 (twenty-two years ago)

I didn't even know of his existence but now I do I'll search out his books.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 10:18 (twenty-two years ago)

ditto The World Turned Upside Down

― mark s (mark s), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 10:40 (twenty-two years ago)

and his book on cromwell

― mark s (mark s), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 10:40 (twenty-two years ago)

The one period of history I need to know more about. The cradle of socialism. And great names for movements, sod levellers, dissenters and diggers, I want to knwo about Ranters.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 10:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I want to read loads of socialist ranting too.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 10:43 (twenty-two years ago)

His book on the English revolution is about the only history I have ever read, and lays pretty much the groundwork for the cadre of British Marxist historians. Very persuasive too.

Hobsbawm was gave a very eloquent obit on Night Waves last night.

― Pete (Pete), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 10:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I should restart my blog. I'd have one reader then.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 10:45 (twenty-two years ago)

also read keith thomas on the decline of magic

(haha i dropped my copy in the bath and it went fat)

― mark s (mark s), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 10:52 (twenty-two years ago)

magic

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 11:29 (twenty-two years ago)

He was a big one. I share the Nipper's perspective, except... I have a feeling that the English Civil War did end; probably some time in the C17.

― the pinefox, Wednesday, 26 February 2003 17:14 (twenty-two years ago)

three years pass...

i just got his cromwell book: any good?

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Monday, 29 May 2006 22:40 (nineteen years ago)

I get the impression that historian friends of mine are a bit sniffy about him as a scholar (maybe he is an historian who is loved most by literature students, in the same way that some poets are loved most by novelists), and that his reputation had taken a revisionist downturn in recent years.

i'm quite surprised by this!

i think he's awesome.

but i never read the cromwell book.

― Enrique IX: The Mediator (Enrique), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 07:39 (nineteen years ago)

He makes some rather good points in Liberty Against the Law, challenging the view that there was a struggle for so-called liberty in England in the 17thc and questioning 'liberty for whom?'

He examines how laws were increasingly passed to protect property and the poorest of the poor were forbidden from even foraging for berries and game in the woods, even though they were dependent on these for basic subsistence. Hill claims that 'the history of freedom in England is the history of the establishment of security for property.' ooh, controversial! RIP Mr C. Hill.

― salexander (salexander), Tuesday, 30 May 2006 09:24 (nineteen years ago)

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