An Invocation
One Life within things infinite that die:
To Him…
John Addington Symonds (1840-1893) was a distinguished English poet, literary critic, and historian, whose work significantly influenced the understanding of Renaissance art and culture, as well as the study of sexuality. Born in Bristol to a prominent physician, Symonds received his education at Harrow School and then Balliol College, Oxford, where he developed a deep appreciation for classical and Renaissance literature.
Symonds' early career was marked by health challenges, prompting him to spend considerable time in Italy, where he immersed himself in the study of Renaissance art and history. This period abroad profoundly shaped his scholarship. Among his most significant works are the multi-volume "The Renaissance in Italy" (1875-1886), which remains a seminal text in the field, providing a comprehensive analysis of this pivotal period in European history.
In addition to his historical and literary work, Symonds is notable for his pioneering studies on sexuality. His writings, such as "A Problem in Greek Ethics" (1883) and "A Problem in Modern Ethics" (1891), are regarded as some of the earliest scholarly attempts to discuss homosexuality with understanding and compassion, at a time when such topics were largely taboo.
Despite battling recurrent illness, Symonds produced a prolific and diverse body of work before his death in Rome in 1893. His contributions to both literary criticism and the understanding of human sexuality have left a lasting legacy on intellectual history.