James Parton

Biographer, Historian

James Parton was a 19th-century American biographer and historian known for his insightful works on American history and advocacy for truth and freedom.

Born
April 9, 1825
Died
May 17, 1894
Quotes
7
Rank
#659

About James Parton

James Parton — Life and Legacy

James Parton was a prominent American biographer and historian in the 19th century, recognized for his deep commitment to truth and freedom. His significant contributions include detailed biographies of notable figures and critical analyses of American society, which reflect his belief in justice and individual rights. Parton’s core thinking revolved around the idea that truth is foundational to freedom. He famously stated, 'The truth is the only thing that can set us free,' highlighting his conviction that understanding and confronting reality is essential for personal and societal liberation. This perspective not only shaped his writings but also challenged the prevailing narratives of his time, urging readers to seek authenticity in their lives and governance. The relevance of Parton’s quotes and ideas persists today, as they resonate with ongoing discussions about civil rights and social justice. His emphasis on truth as a catalyst for freedom continues to inspire those advocating for transparency and accountability in various spheres of life.

Quote collection

James Parton quotes

7 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

James Parton Biographer, Historian
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"If you trace up Masonry, through all its Orders, till you come to the grand tip-top head Mason of the World, you will discover that the dread individual and the Chief of the Society of Jesus [i.e., the Superior General of the Jesuit Order] are one and the same person."

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"From Heaven I fall, though from earth I begin. No lady alive can show such a skin. I'm bright as an angel, and light as a feather, But heavy and dark, when you squeeze me together. Though candor and truth in my aspect I bear, Yet many poor creatures I help to insnare. Though so much of Heaven appears in my make, The foulest impressions I easily take. My parent and I produce one another, The mother the daughter, the daughter the mother."

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"Women do not disapprove their rivals; they hate them."

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"E.P. Whipple calls fanaticism "religion caricatured," which is a full definition in a word."

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"To a man who is uncorrupt and properly constituted, woman always remains something of a mystery and a romance. He never interprets her quite literally. She, on her part, is always striving to remain a poem, and is never weary of bringing out new editions of herself in novel bindings."

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"On the eve of the Civil War, James Parton could write that 'the political history of the United States, for the last thirty years, dates from the moment when the soft hand of Mr. Van Buren touched Mrs. Eaton's knocker.'"

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