Aphorisms of Philip Chesterfield. Chesterfield - biography, information, personal life Chesterfield biography

"LETTERS TO SON"

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield was an English statesman, diplomat and writer.

Yard, intrigue, politics. There were moments when he decided whether there should be a war or not, and who should rule some Belgium. He was a minister, a secretary of state, spoke with pamphlets, made speeches in parliament, one more excellent than the other ...

Chesterfield was married to the illegitimate daughter of George I, Melusine von Schulenburg, but no legitimate children were born in this marriage. Philip Stanhope (II), his favorite illegitimate son, had all the support of his father (including a seat in the House of Commons), but was never accepted into high society. In addition, already in his old age, Chesterfield adopted the third Philip Stanhope (1755-1815), who eventually became the heir to the family wealth.

In 1739, Chesterfield sent his son to travel around Europe. There was nothing unusual about this: travel to foreign lands was considered mandatory to complete education.

Tender parents sent their children abroad money and letters with paternal instructions. Lord Chesterfield was no exception, but he suspected that he was creating a masterpiece of epistolary prose. The gallant age has long passed, a huge number of pedagogical treatises and textbooks on the rules of good manners have been published, but Chesterfield's letters to his son remain classics.

Philip Stanhope (second), despite the close guardianship of his father, had since 1750 an "impermissible" relationship with the Irishwoman Eugenia Dornville, from whom two sons were born in 1761 and 1763 - Charles and Philip (fourth); the parents did not marry until 1767, and in 1768 the 36-year-old Philip Stanhope (second) died in Vaucluse. Chesterfield found out about the existence of grandchildren only after the death of his son. In his will, he left them a small capital, and nothing - their mother. It was lack of money that prompted Eugenia Stanhope to sell letters to publishers that were never meant to be printed. The publication caused shock in English society with its family "candor"; the collection of letters became popular reading and was repeatedly reprinted, bringing the widow a fortune.

Chesterfield letterscontain an extensive set of instructions and recommendations in the spirit of the pedagogical ideas of J. Locke. The narrowly practical focus of the educational program (preparation for a high society and state career) shocked many of Chesterfield's contemporaries, but the Letters were highly appreciated by Voltaire as an example of epistolary prose of the 18th century and a sincere human document. He wrote to the Marquise du Deffand on August 12, 1774: "This book is very instructive, and perhaps the best that has ever been written on education."

So, the eighteenth century of Europe, known under the title of the Age of Enlightenment, is coming.

“...Knowledge of people is acquired only among people, and not in the silence of an office... And if you want to act and win, it is not enough just to know people. You need to imprint this knowledge into your nerves, into your muscles, into your voice, you need to turn it into artistry, into perfect self-control, for which you also need to know yourself well.

Put all your efforts into it, my dear boy, it is extremely important; pay attention to the smallest circumstances, to the most inconspicuous features, to what is considered to be trifles, but what makes up the whole brilliant appearance of a real gentleman, a man of business and a lover of life, who is respected by men, women are looking for and loved by everyone ... "

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (born September 22, 1694, London - died March 24, 1773, ibid.) was an English statesman, diplomat and writer, author of Letters to his Son. Until his father's death in 1726, he was known as Lord Stanhope.

A distant relative and direct heir to the title of influential politician James Stanhope, 1st Earl of Chesterfield (1673–1721), Philip Stanhope was raised by a French tutor, studied at Trinity College, Cambridge University (1712–1714) and performed the compulsory for a wealthy gentleman of those years travel (grand tour) on the continent. It was interrupted by the death of Queen Anne. James Stanhope summoned Philip home and installed him as Lord of the Prince of Wales' bedchamber; in 1715, Philip became a member of the House of Commons from the Cornish village of St. Germain (see rotten places). The very first speech in Parliament turned out to be a fine of 500 pounds for him, since Philip was six weeks short of coming of age.

In 1716, during the conflict between King George I and his son, the future George II, Stanhope joined the camp of the Prince of Wales and his mistress Henrietta Howard, which brought him political benefits during the accession of George II to the throne and the hatred of the Princess of Wales. With the death of his father in 1726, Philip assumed the title of Earl of Chesterfield and moved from the House of Commons to the House of Lords. Here, his oratorical skills, unnecessary in the lower house, were finally appreciated and in 1728 Chesterfield accepted the important post of ambassador to The Hague (probably the fact that he was a kind of honorary exile arranged by Walpole). Chesterfield turned out to be a capable diplomat, he concluded the Vienna Treaty of 1731 for Great Britain, but due to poor health he returned to his homeland in 1732. The diplomatic service brought him the Order of the Garter and the court title of Lord Steward. In the same year, 1732, his illegitimate son was born in The Hague by Elisabeth du Boucher, also Philip Stanhope (second, 1732-1768), to whom Chesterfield later dedicated Letters to his Son.

Returning to the House of Lords, Chesterfield became one of its leaders.

Soon, due to the excise law, Chesterwild went into open opposition to Walpole and lost his court titles. The opposition managed to remove Walpole from power only in 1742, but there was no place in the new government for Chesterfield; he spoiled relations with both the new temporary workers and with George II himself. From 1743, Chesterfield wrote anti-Georgian tracts for the Old England magazine under the name of Jeffrey Broadbottom. Finally, in 1744, a coalition of Chesterfield, Pitt, and Henry Pelham succeeded in overthrowing the Carter government, and Chesterfield returned to executive power. At first, he again went as ambassador to The Hague, where he achieved the entry of Holland into the War of the Austrian Succession on the side of the British. This was followed by an exceptionally successful reign as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1744-1746, considered the pinnacle of Chesterfield's administration. In 1746 he returned to London to the post of secretary of state, but in 1748 he resigned from all posts due to permanently damaged relations with the king and queen and refused the "comforting" ducal title.

For some time he continued his parliamentary activities, including opposing the Stamp Act and facilitating the transition of Great Britain to the Gregorian calendar, which was called the Chesterfield calendar. However, due to impending deafness, by the end of the 1750s, Chesterfield left politics forever!

English statesman, diplomat and writer, author of "Letters to his son" - Philip Dormer Stanhope Chesterfield was born on September 22, 1694, London. Until his father's death (1726) he was known as Lord Stanhope.

Philip Stanhope was raised by a French tutor and studied at Trinity College, Cambridge University (1712-1714). He made an obligatory trip across the continent for a rich gentleman of those years. It was interrupted by the death of Queen Anne. His father summoned Philip to his homeland and placed him in the place of the lord of the bedchamber of the Prince of Wales.

In 1715, Philip joined the House of Commons from the Cornish village of St. Germain. The very first speech in Parliament turned out to be a fine of 500 pounds for him, since Philip was six weeks short of coming of age.

In 1716, there was a conflict between King George I and his son, the future George II, Stanhope joined the camp of the prince and his mistress Henrietta Howard, which brought him political benefits during the accession of George II to the throne and the hatred of the Princess of Wales.

However, Stanhope first had to go to Paris, where he remained for about two years. There he met Montesquieu, Voltaire and other French writers. In 1722, Stanhope returned to London and already here established close ties with English writers, among whom were Addison, Swift, Pop, Gay, Arbuthnot, and others.

With the death of his father in 1726, Philip took the title of Earl of Chesterfield and moved from the House of Commons to the House of Lords. Here, his oratorical skills, unnecessary in the lower chamber, were finally appreciated and in 1728 Chesterfield accepted the important post of ambassador in The Hague. Chesterfield turned out to be a capable diplomat, he concluded the Treaty of Vienna for Great Britain in 1731, but due to poor health he returned to his homeland in 1732. The diplomatic service brought him the Order of the Garter and the court title of Lord Steward.

In 1732, in The Hague, an illegitimate son was born to Philip by Elisabeth du Boucher, he was named Philip Stanhope II (1732-1768), to whom Chesterfield later dedicated his Letters to his Son. The compromised du Boucher lost her place, but Chesterfield settled her in the London suburbs.

In 1733, Chesterfield married the illegitimate daughter of George I, Melusine von Schulenburg, but no legitimate children were born in this marriage.

In 1744 he again went as an ambassador to The Hague, where he achieved the entry of Holland into the War of the Austrian Succession on the side of the British. This was followed by an exceptionally successful reign as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1744-1746, considered the pinnacle of Chesterfield's administration.

In 1746, he returned to London to the post of Secretary of State, but in 1748 he resigned from all posts due to spoiled relations with the king and queen and refused the "comforting" ducal title.

Philip Stanhope (second) had from 1750 an "impermissible" connection with the Irishwoman Eugenia Dornville, from whom in 1761 and 1763. two sons were born - Charles and Philip (fourth). The parents married only in 1767, and in 1768 the 36-year-old Philip Stanhope (second) died. Chesterfield found out about the existence of grandchildren only after the death of his son. In his will, he left them a small capital, and left nothing to their mother. It was lack of money that prompted Eugenia Stanhope to sell letters to publishers that were never meant to be printed. The publication caused shock in English society with its family "frankness". The collection of letters became popular reading and was repeatedly reprinted, bringing the widow a fortune.

Philip Dormer Stanhope Chesterfield - English statesman, diplomat and writer, author of Letters to his Son. Until his father's death in 1726, he was known as Lord Stanhope.

Philip Stanhope was the eldest son of the third Earl of Chesterfield (also named Philip Stanhope, 1673-1726) and Elizabeth Savile, daughter of George Savile, Marquess of Halifax. Philip Stanhope was brought up by a French tutor, the Reverend Junot. In 1712, at the age of 16, he decided at Trinity College, Cambridge University (1712-1714) and in 1714 made a trip (grand tour) around the continent, which was obligatory for a rich gentleman of those years, visiting only The Hague (Holland). The journey was interrupted by the death of Queen Anne. James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope (1673 - 1721), Philip's relative, minister and favorite of the king, summoned Philip to his homeland and placed him in the place of the Lord of the bedchamber (gentleman of Bedchamber) Prince of Wales - the future George II . In 1715, Stanhope entered the House of Commons from the Cornish village of St. Germain (see rotten places). The very first speech in parliament (Maiden speech) turned out to be a fine of 500 pounds for him, since Stanhope was six weeks short of coming of age.

In 1716, there was a conflict between King George I and his son, the future George II, Stanhope later joined the camp of the Prince of Wales and his mistress Henrietta Howard, which brought him political benefits during the accession of George II to the throne and the hatred of the Princess of Wales. First, however, Stanhope had to go to Paris, where he remained for about two years. There he met Montesquieu, Voltaire and other French writers. In 1722, Stanhope returned to London and already here established close ties with English writers, among whom were Addison, Swift, Pope, Gay, Arbuthnot and others.

With the death of his father in 1726, Stanhope took the title of Earl of Chesterfield and moved from the House of Commons to the House of Lords. Here his oratorical skills, unnecessary in the lower house, were finally appreciated and in 1728 Chesterfield accepted the important post of ambassador to The Hague (probably also that he was a kind of honorary exile arranged by Walpole). Chesterfield turned out to be a capable diplomat, he concluded the Treaty of Vienna for Great Britain in 1731, but due to poor health he returned to his homeland in 1732. Diplomatic service brought him the Order of the Garter and the court title of Lord Steward. In the same year, 1732, his illegitimate son was born in The Hague by Elisabeth du Boucher, also Philip Stanhope (second, 1732-1768), to whom Chesterfield later dedicated Letters to his Son. The compromised du Boucher lost her place, but Chesterfield settled her in the London suburbs.

Returning to the House of Lords, Chesterfield became one of its leaders. Soon, due to the excise law, Chesterfield went into open opposition to Walpole and lost his court titles. The opposition managed to remove Walpole from power only in 1742, but there was no place in the new government for Chesterfield; he spoiled relations with both the new temporary workers and with George II himself. From 1743, Chesterfield wrote anti-Georgian tracts for the Old England magazine under the name of Jeffrey Broadbottom. Finally, in 1744, a coalition of Chesterfield, Pitt, and Henry Pelham managed to overthrow the Carter government, and Chesterfield returned to executive power. At first, he again went as ambassador to The Hague, where he achieved the entry of Holland into the War of the Austrian Succession on the side of the British. In September 1733, after returning from his mission in Holland, Chesterfield married Melusine von Schulenburg. This was followed by an exceptionally successful reign as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1744-1746, considered the pinnacle of Chesterfield's administration. In 1746 he returned to London to the post of Secretary of State, but in 1748 he resigned from all posts due to permanently damaged relations with the king and queen and refused the "comforting" ducal title.

For some time he continued his parliamentary activities, including opposing the Stamp Act and promoting the transition of Great Britain to the Gregorian calendar, which was called the Chesterfield calendar.

However, due to impending deafness, by the end of the 1750s, Chesterfield left politics forever.

Chesterfield was married for convenience to the illegitimate daughter of George I, Melusine von Schulenburg, but no legitimate children were born in this marriage. Philip Stanhope (II), his favorite illegitimate son, had all the support of his father (including a seat in the House of Commons), but was never accepted into high society. In addition, already in his old age, Chesterfield adopted the third Philip Stanhope (1755-1815), who eventually became the heir to the family wealth.

Chesterfield's letters contain an extensive set of instructions and recommendations in the spirit of the pedagogical ideas of J. Locke. The narrowly practical focus of the educational program (preparation for a high society and state career) shocked many of Chesterfield's contemporaries, but the Letters were highly appreciated by Voltaire as an example of epistolary prose of the 18th century and a sincere human document. He wrote to the Marquise du Deffand on August 12, 1774: "This book is very instructive, and perhaps the best that has ever been written on education."