The Moral Imagination: From Adam Smith To Lione... Apr 2026

In , distinguished historian Gertrude Himmelfarb explores how brilliant thinkers across different eras shared a "moral passion" that transcended their specific genres and political concerns.

As America’s preeminent historian of the Victorian era, Himmelfarb demonstrates how these thinkers shaped our modern intellectual landscape. The Moral Imagination: From Adam Smith to Lione...

This expanded version features three new essays exploring the moral dimensions of economics and power through Adam Smith , Lord Acton, and Alfred Marshall. 📖 com/tag/adam-smith/">Adam Smith or Lionel Trilling

📖 com/tag/adam-smith/">Adam Smith or Lionel Trilling ? It was about "moral realism"—the awareness of the

Himmelfarb examines 15 provocative figures—including Adam Smith , Winston Churchill, George Eliot, and Lord Acton—showing how their work is permeated by a deep moral sensibility.

For these authors, morality wasn't just a list of prohibitions. It was about "moral realism"—the awareness of the contradictions and complexities of living a moral life.

Below is a draft for a social or blog post highlighting the book’s core themes: