John Ruskin

John Ruskin (1819-1900) was an English writer, art critic, and social reformer, regarded as one of the most influential intellectuals of the Victorian era. Born in London, he was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, and gained early fame with the first volume of "Modern Painters" (1843), a defense of J.M.W. Turner that evolved into a comprehensive theory of art. His later works, including "The Stones of Venice" (1851-1853), explored the relationship between art, architecture, and society. Ruskin's social criticism culminated in "Unto This Last" (1860), a series of essays that challenged classical economics and argued for a moral economy based on justice and human dignity. This book influenced figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and the British Labour movement. Ruskin's literary legacy endures through his eloquent prose and his insistence on the ethical dimensions of art and labor, making him a pivotal figure in both aesthetic and social thought.