Arnold Toynbee: A Life in History

Arnold Toynbee was one of the most influential historians of the 20th century. His work on the rise and fall of civilizations has had a profound impact on our understanding of history and the human condition.

Toynbee was born in London in 1889. He was the son of a wealthy businessman and was educated at Winchester College and Oxford University. After graduating from Oxford, Toynbee worked as a journalist and then as a teacher. In 1919, he was appointed to the chair of international history at the Royal Institute of International Affairs. He held this position until his retirement in 1955.

Arnold J. Toynbee: A Life

by William H. McNeill

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Toynbee's first major work, A Study of History, was published in 12 volumes between 1934 and 1961. In this work, Toynbee argued that civilizations are not static entities but rather are constantly evolving and changing. He identified 21 civilizations that have existed throughout history, and he analyzed the factors that led to their rise and fall. Toynbee believed that civilizations decline when they become too rigid and inflexible and when they lose their creativity and vitality.

Toynbee's work has been praised for its originality and its insights into the nature of history. However, it has also been criticized for being too deterministic and for ignoring the role of individual agency in history. Despite these criticisms, Toynbee's work remains an important contribution to the study of history and the human condition.

Early Life and Education

Arnold Toynbee was born in London on April 14, 1889. He was the son of Harry Valpy Toynbee, a wealthy businessman, and Charlotte Maria Toynbee. Toynbee's father was a prominent member of the Liberal Party and served as a Member of Parliament for East Worcestershire from 1885 to 1892. Toynbee's mother was a social reformer and a supporter of women's suffrage.

Toynbee was educated at Winchester College and then at Oxford University, where he studied classics and history. He graduated from Oxford in 1911 with a first-class degree in history.

Career

After graduating from Oxford, Toynbee worked as a journalist for the Manchester Guardian. In 1913, he was appointed to the staff of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, where he worked as a research assistant. In 1919, he was appointed to the chair of international history at the Royal Institute of International Affairs. He held this position until his retirement in 1955.

Toynbee's first major work, A Study of History, was published in 12 volumes between 1934 and 1961. In this work, Toynbee argued that civilizations are not static entities but rather are constantly evolving and changing. He identified 21 civilizations that have existed throughout history, and he analyzed the factors that led to their rise and fall. Toynbee believed that civilizations decline when they become too rigid and inflexible and when they lose their creativity and vitality.

Toynbee's work has been praised for its originality and its insights into the nature of history. However, it has also been criticized for being too deterministic and for ignoring the role of individual agency in history. Despite these criticisms, Toynbee's work remains an important contribution to the study of history and the human condition.

Personal Life

Toynbee married Rosalind Murray in 1913. The couple had two children, a son and a daughter. Toynbee died in York on October 22, 1975.

Legacy

Arnold Toynbee is considered one of the most influential historians of the 20th century. His work on the rise and fall of civilizations has had a profound impact on our understanding of history and the human condition. Toynbee's work continues to be studied and debated by scholars today.

Further Reading

• Arnold Toynbee, A Study of History (12 volumes, 1934-1961)
• D.C. Somervell, A Short History of Arnold Toynbee (1957)
• William H. McNeill, Arnold Toynbee: A Life (1989)

Arnold J. Toynbee: A Life

by William H. McNeill

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2103 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	356 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE