Motley, JOHN LOTHROP, historian and diplomatist, was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, April 15, 1814. He had an inheritance of wit and literary taste as well as of fortune, and had all timely advantages of education and travel to make him the 'picked man of countries' which he became. He attended the school at Northampton, Massachusetts, kept by Dr Cogswell and Bancroft the historian, and at the age of thirteen entered Harvard College, graduating in 1831. He next studied in German universities, and at Göttingen was the intimate friend of Bismarck. His reading was various and enormous, especially in poetry and fiction, and in modern languages. He 'toiled terribly' afterwards, when he made the studies for his history, but his early assiduity was like that of a bee in a flower-garden. He was naturally a favourite in society, as he was tall and exceedingly handsome, with a captivating manner. His resemblance to Lord Byron was striking. He was married in 1837 to Miss Benjamin, a lady of beauty and accomplishments. In 1839 he published his first work, an historical novel, entitled Morton's Hope. Its brilliant pictures were admired, but it was not successful. His second novel, Merrymount, was partly a protest against the gloom of Puritanism, and was more favourably received; yet it was evident that the genius of the author was not to be displayed in fiction. When, afterwards, the splendour of Motley's style lighted up the great scenes of history, as, for instance, the abdication of Charles V. in the town-hall of Brussels, it was seen that his ardent and imaginative nature had found its predestined place. His studies early turned in this direction, but
Copyright 1891 in U.S.
by J. B. Lippincott
Company. fully ten years were consumed in his preparations, and in completing his History of the Dutch Republic. This work, published in 1856, established his fame, and was translated into many languages, the French version being supervised by Guizot. The labours which were the indispensable foundation of the work can be comprehended best from the author's own account, which will be found in a letter printed in Dr Holmes' Memoir of Motley (1878). This letter is furthermore valuable as a sketch of his intended work, which was to be continued to 1648, the peace of Westphalia—a vast design which he did not live to accomplish. In 1857 he was once more in Boston, and contributed to the Atlantic Monthly a paper on Florence. But he soon returned to Europe, as the materials for European history were not accessible in the United States. The first part of his History of the United Netherlands appeared in 1860. The capacity for research and the power of pictorial representation were combined in this as in the preceding work.
The civil war in the United States aroused the deepest feeling in Motley, and his letters to the London Times upon the policy of the British government were probably the most important and decisive of all the efforts made by patriotic Americans to enlighten the British public upon the momentous issues involved. In 1861 he was appointed minister to Austria, and remained until 1867, when he resigned in consequence of a foolish attack made upon him. In 1868 the second part of the History of the United Netherlands appeared. In 1869 he was appointed minister to Great Britain, but was summarily recalled the following year, under circumstances which made the recall an indignity. There had grown up a deadly feud between Charles Sumner, senator from Massachusetts, and President Grant; and, as Motley and Sumner were intimate friends, the recall of the minister was designed as a blow at the senator. The pretext was that Motley had disregarded his instructions, but it is evident that his dismissal had been determined upon. Motley was cut to the heart, and brooded over his unmerited disgrace to the day of his death.
His next and final work was The Life and Death of John Barneveld, a biography which is virtually history, and a part of his main theme, though not a distinct continuation. After the death of his wife in 1874 Motley paid another visit to the United States. His severe labours and trials had impaired his strength, and he had had some slight attacks of apoplexy. After his return to England in 1876 he gradually sank, and died at Kingston Russell, the Dorsetshire residence of his daughter, Sir William Vernon Harcourt's wife, May 29, 1877. He was buried at Kensal Green.
The character of Motley is strongly impressed upon his works, and they are as far removed from annals as possible. His long studies, aided by his creative imagination, enabled him to make past ages live again, and to present historical personalities with their own traits and manners. Few historians have given such illumination and stereoscopic reality to people and scenes described; and the same eager nature makes it impossible for him to attain to judicial impartiality. He glories in being a partisan—a partisan of progress, liberty, and humanity. Criticism has touched his narrations only in some minor details; of their general faithfulness there is no question.
Two large volumes of his correspondence were edited by George William Curtis in 1888. His own letters are picturesque, eloquent, and weighty by turns. Many of them are addressed to Dr Holmes, his most intimate friend. Bismarck's letters are charming. The Memoir by O. W. Holmes (1878) is an affectionate tribute.