The Rambler (Catholic periodical)
Encyclopedia
The Rambler was a Catholic periodical
founded by liberal converts to Catholicism and closely associated with the names of Lord Acton
, Richard Simpson
and, for a brief period, Cardinal Newman. It represented a phase of convert thought which was in opposition to the extreme ultramontanism
of W. G. Ward
and Cardinal Manning, and eventually led to increasing friction with the leading members of the newly established English hierarchy. It was started on 1 January 1848, and its last number was published in May 1862.
The Rambler was originally a weekly magazine. Its aim, according to its final number, was
Before the end of the year, the magazine was so successful that it was decided to increase the size and to issue it in a monthly form. It continued to be published as a monthly serial from 1 September 1848, to 1 February 1859. From May 1859, a slightly larger version was published every two months. The last number was published in May 1862, and a quarterly journal, The Home and Foreign Review, under the same editorial management, appeared in its place in July of that year. This became one of the most distinguished periodicals of its day, and was praised by Matthew Arnold
.
Sir John (later Lord) Acton was the principal proprietor of The Rambler. The convert Richard Simpson began to write for it in 1850, and in 1856, he became assistant editor. In 1858, he became editor and a proprietor. He ran into conflict with those who disapproved of a layman writing about theology and of his liberal views, and was forced to resign in 1859, being briefly replaced with Newman, and then with Acton.
Catholic periodical literature of the nineteenth century
-Generalities:Up to a few decades before 1800, most of the periodical publications in mainly Catholic countries can be regarded as "Catholic" literature: the editorial line is implicitly Catholic....
founded by liberal converts to Catholicism and closely associated with the names of Lord Acton
John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton
John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton, KCVO, DL , known as Sir John Dalberg-Acton, 8th Bt from 1837 to 1869 and usually referred to simply as Lord Acton, was an English Catholic historian, politician, and writer...
, Richard Simpson
Richard Simpson (writer)
Richard Simpson was a British Roman Catholic writer and literary scholar. He was born at Beddington, Surrey, into an Anglican family, and was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and at Oriel College, Oxford. He obtained a BA degree on 9 February 1843...
and, for a brief period, Cardinal Newman. It represented a phase of convert thought which was in opposition to the extreme ultramontanism
Ultramontanism
Ultramontanism is a religious philosophy within the Roman Catholic community that places strong emphasis on the prerogatives and powers of the Pope...
of W. G. Ward
William George Ward
William George Ward was an English Roman Catholic theologian and mathematician whose career illustrates the development of religious opinion at a time of crisis in the history of English religious thought....
and Cardinal Manning, and eventually led to increasing friction with the leading members of the newly established English hierarchy. It was started on 1 January 1848, and its last number was published in May 1862.
The Rambler was originally a weekly magazine. Its aim, according to its final number, was
to unite an intelligent and hearty acceptance of Catholic dogmaDogmaDogma is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion, or a particular group or organization. It is authoritative and not to be disputed, doubted, or diverged from, by the practitioners or believers...
with free enquiry and discussion on questions which the Church left open to debate and while avoiding, as far as possible, the domain of technical theology, to provide a medium for the expression of independent opinion on subjects of the day, whether interesting to the general public or especially affecting Catholics.
Before the end of the year, the magazine was so successful that it was decided to increase the size and to issue it in a monthly form. It continued to be published as a monthly serial from 1 September 1848, to 1 February 1859. From May 1859, a slightly larger version was published every two months. The last number was published in May 1862, and a quarterly journal, The Home and Foreign Review, under the same editorial management, appeared in its place in July of that year. This became one of the most distinguished periodicals of its day, and was praised by Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold was a British poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. He was the son of Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of Rugby School, and brother to both Tom Arnold, literary professor, and William Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator...
.
Sir John (later Lord) Acton was the principal proprietor of The Rambler. The convert Richard Simpson began to write for it in 1850, and in 1856, he became assistant editor. In 1858, he became editor and a proprietor. He ran into conflict with those who disapproved of a layman writing about theology and of his liberal views, and was forced to resign in 1859, being briefly replaced with Newman, and then with Acton.
External links
- The Rambler from the Catholic EncyclopediaCatholic EncyclopediaThe Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia and the Original Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language encyclopedia published in the United States. The first volume appeared in March 1907 and the last three volumes appeared in 1912, followed by a master index...