Russell Kirk: A Critical Biography of a Conservative Mind

by James E. Person

Overview

When people look to the founding of the modern conservative movement, they must ultimately look to Russell Kirk (1918–1994). Author of the groundbreaking treatise The Conservative Mind, Kirk defined conservative political thought for the post–World War II era. An imaginative and optimistic thinker, Kirk wrote essays in justice, society, education, economics, history, and literature that are timeless reminders of what Kirk called “the permanent things”: honor, courage, character, virtue, constancy, humility, wisdom, order, and prudence. His creative spirit is immortalized not only in his political work, however—Kirk also left behind a rich collection of spine-tingling horror stories and sophisticated novels.

James E. Person Jr. explores every aspect of Kirk’s quiet genius. His findings provide much needed insight into the mind of a philosopher who defined a movement that provokes heated debate to this day. Person’s analysis traces conservatism to its roots and, in the process, uncovers important lessons for the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442251854
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/15/2015
Pages:	284
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

James E. Person Jr. worked in reference publishing for over 30 years, writing for and editing such distinguished reference works as Major Twentieth-Century Writers, Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800, and Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism. His essays, article, and reviews have appeared in Modern Age, National Review, The University Bookman, and TheSewanee Review, among many other venues. He is the editor of The Unbought Grace of Life: Essays in Honor of Russell Kirk and the author of Earl Hamner: From Walton's Mountain to Tomorrow.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

1 Memory and the Continuum of Time; Russell Kirk's Life 1

2 A Reminder and a Challenge: The Conservative Mind 30

3 Virtue and the Historical Consciousness: Kirk's Writings on History 57

4 For Virtue and Wisdom: Kirk on Education 81

5 Laws Written and Unwritten: Kirk on the Roots of American Justice 96

6 Horror and Redemption: Kirk's Short Stories and Lord of the Hollow Dark 109

7 Novels Gothic to Baroque: Old House of Year and A Creature of the Twilight 136

8 To Rouse and Fortify the Living: Kirk as a Critic of Literature 151

9 Toward a Tolerable Social Order: Kirk's Social Criticism 173

10 Two Cheers for the Market Economy: Kirk on "the Dismal Science" 201

11 Kirk's Significance and Influence 214

Selected Bibliography 221

Sources Consulted 229

Index 237

About the Author 249

Editorial Reviews

Deft, informative, and amazingly comprehensive; friendly to its subject but not slavishly so.

The University Bookman

Russell Kirk and his writings should be part of the education of every American—conservative or liberal—who thinks seriously and deeply about the future of our republic. An excellent introduction, sustained by sound scholarship, and enlivened by vivid writing.

Alf J. Mapp Jr.

[Person's] book represents a signal contribution to Kirk scholarship.

Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture

This book...will show an entire new generation what a fine man and excellent thinker lived in our time.

Ray Bradbury

In this highly accessible and readable introduction to the life and works of Russell Kirk, Person provides a coherent and convincing analysis of Kirk’s enduring significance to American politics and humane learning. Originally published in 1999, the volume…remains an excellent contribution to scholarship. Person’s mission is to introduce a new generation to ‘one of the greatest minds this nation has produced during the twentieth century.’ The book is organized into four sections that outline Kirk’s achievement. The first is devoted to interpreting Kirk’s background, use of historical consciousness, views on education, and constitutionalism. The second critiques Kirk’s devotion to the importance of literature and social criticism. The last two sections survey Kirk’s economic thought and his lasting importance as a political thinker. The greatest contribution of this worthwhile volume can be found in the author’s review of Kirk’s defense of a social order grounded in justice and the diffusion of political power.

Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty.

Choice Reviews

Person's book helps us not only in measuring the value of Russell Kirk's contribution to conservative thought, but also in discerning his worthy role in American life and letters. It is a book that reminds us, too, of how much Kirk has helped us to fathom the true nature of 'armed doctrines' in our time.

George A. Panichas

A brilliant synthesis of the many strands making up Russell Kirk's amazing life and legacy. Person brings to vivid life the man and the career that made modern conservatism possible, and could re-enliven it today.

Bruce P. Frohnen

Russell Kirk's scholarship gave respectability to the conservative movement after World War II. He stands at the very summit of political philosophers, and Person's biography is indeed worthy of its subject.

Congressman Henry J. Hyde

A brilliant synthesis of the many strands making up Russell Kirk's amazing life and legacy. Person brings to vivid life the man and the career that made modern conservatism possible, and could re-enliven it today.

Bruce Frohnen

In this highly accessible and readable introduction to the life and works of Russell Kirk, Person provides a coherent and convincing analysis of Kirk’s enduring significance to American politics and humane learning. Originally published in 1999, the volume…remains an excellent contribution to scholarship. Person’s mission is to introduce a new generation to ‘one of the greatest minds this nation has produced during the twentieth century.’ The book is organized into four sections that outline Kirk’s achievement. The first is devoted to interpreting Kirk’s background, use of historical consciousness, views on education, and constitutionalism. The second critiques Kirk’s devotion to the importance of literature and social criticism. The last two sections survey Kirk’s economic thought and his lasting importance as a political thinker. The greatest contribution of this worthwhile volume can be found in the author’s review of Kirk’s defense of a social order grounded in justice and the diffusion of political power.

Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty.

CHOICE

In this highly accessible and readable introduction to the life and works of Russell Kirk, Person provides a coherent and convincing analysis of Kirk’s enduring significance to American politics and humane learning. Originally published in 1999, the volume…remains an excellent contribution to scholarship. Person’s mission is to introduce a new generation to ‘one of the greatest minds this nation has produced during the twentieth century.’ The book is organized into four sections that outline Kirk’s achievement. The first is devoted to interpreting Kirk’s background, use of historical consciousness, views on education, and constitutionalism. The second critiques Kirk’s devotion to the importance of literature and social criticism. The last two sections survey Kirk’s economic thought and his lasting importance as a political thinker. The greatest contribution of this worthwhile volume can be found in the author’s review of Kirk’s defense of a social order grounded in justice and the diffusion of political power.

Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty.

Choice

[Person's] book represents a signal contribution to Kirk scholarship.

Chronicles

[Person's] book represents a signal contribution to Kirk scholarship.

Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture