Talk:Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford and Mortimer
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Commentary on the source: the 1911 Encyclopedia Britanica is a laudable thing and a reputable source. However, when it comes to 18th century subjects, it is very partisan. In particular, it treats Whig figures very differently from Tory ones, and Harley is one of the princes of the Tory cause. In particular, the 1911 editors still had the shadow of Thomas Babbington Macaulay over them, and Macaulay's "Whig History." Thus, Tory figures were all distempered or foolish, and Whig figures were always wise and honorable. Keep that in mind when reading this biography. The Dictionary of National Biography is far less biased but far wordier in its treatment of Oxford. (Also note that nothing of Harley's book collecting is mentioned -- something I will correct in a moment. The man's book collecting single handedly saved the fields of Anglo-Saxon, Renaissance, and Middle English literature. This is the "Harley" of "The Harleian Collection" in the British Museum.) Geogre 16:45, 26 Sep 2004 (UTC)
Yes, 1911 is definitely biased in that way - you should feel free to edit it as you see fit. john k 16:54, 26 Sep 2004 (UTC)
[edit] Mortimer
I know why the title is not simply Oxford, but why Mortimer? —Tamfang 19:04, 2 July 2006 (UTC)
