1st Baron Acton, Italian-English historian and politician (died 1902)

John Dalberg-Acton

John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton, 13th Marquess of Groppoli,, better known as Lord Acton, was an English Catholic historian, Liberal politician, and writer. A strong advocate for individual liberty, Acton is best known for his observation on the dangers of concentrated authority. In an 1887 letter to an Anglican bishop, he famously wrote, 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely', underscoring his belief that unchecked power poses the greatest threat to human freedom. His works consistently emphasised the importance of limiting governmental and institutional power in favour of individual rights and personal liberty.

Born

1834

January 10

Died

Living

Era

1830s

Country

—

About

John, in brief

John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton, 13th Marquess of Groppoli,, better known as Lord Acton, was an English Catholic historian, Liberal politician, and writer. A strong advocate for individual liberty, Acton is best known for his observation on the dangers of concentrated authority. In an 1887 letter to an Anglican bishop, he famously wrote, 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely', underscoring his belief that unchecked power poses the greatest threat to human freedom. His works consistently emphasised the importance of limiting governmental and institutional power in favour of individual rights and personal liberty.

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

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