George Cavendish
George Cavendish was an English writer renowned for his biography of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a prominent figure in the Tudor court. His seminal work, 'Thomas Wolsey, Late Cardinall, his Lyffe and Deathe,' offers a detailed account of Wolsey's life, providing invaluable insights into the political and religious landscape of 16th-century England. Cavendish's narrative not only chronicles Wolsey's rise and fall but also reflects the complexities of loyalty and power during a tumultuous period in English history. Cavendish's significance lies in his role as one of the earliest biographers in English literature, blending personal recollection with historical narrative. His work is notable for its candid portrayal of Wolsey, capturing both the cardinal's ambitions and his eventual disgrace. This biography has been praised for its literary style and depth, influencing subsequent biographical writing. Through Cavendish's lens, readers gain a unique perspective on the interplay of personal and political dynamics in the Tudor era, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in the development of biography as a literary form.
Famous Quotes
View all 2 quotes“We stood there for a minute or two, with John swaying gently against my arm. 'I'm feeling better,' he announced. Then he looked up at the stars. 'Wow..' he intoned. 'Look at that! Isn't that amazing?".I followed his gaze. The stars did look good but they didn't look that good. It was very unlike John to be over the top in that way. I stared at him. He was wired-pin-sharp and quivering, resonating away like a human tuning fork.No sooner had John uttered his immortal words about the stars than George and Paul came bursting out on the roof. They had come tearing up from the studio as soon as they found out where we were. They knew why John was feeling unwell. Maybe everyone else did, too - everyone except for father-figure George Martin here!It was very simple. John was tripping on LSD. He had taken it by mistake, they said - he had meant to take an amphetamine tablet. That hardly made any difference, frankly; the fact was that John was only too likely to imagine he could fly, and launch himself off the low parapet that ran around the roof. They had been absolutely terrified that he might do so. I spoke to Paul about this night many years later, and he confirmed that he and George had been shaken rigid when they found out we were up on the roof. They knew John was having a what you might call a bad trip. John didn't go back to Weybridge that night; Paul took him home to his place, in nearby Cavendish Road. They were intensely close, remember, and Paul would do almost anything for John. So, once they were safe inside, Paul took a tablet of LSD for the first time, 'So I could get with John' as he put it- be with him in his misery and fear.What about that for friendship?””
“Theory of the Universe seems to have been, that it consisted solely of a multitude of objects which could be weighed, numbered, and measured; and the vocation to which he considered himself called was, to weigh, number and measure as many of those objects as his allotted three-score years and ten would permit. This conviction biased all his doings, alike his great scientific enterprises, and the petty details of his daily life.””
Books from the author
