The purpose of this thesis is to bring to light
the attitude of Edmund Burke (1729-1797) toward
Christianity and the churches. Burke's impact on
eighteenth century politics, and his rank as a philosopher, have been the subjects of many specialized
studies, as well as being essential to any comprehensive view of the century in which he was such a power.
However, there exists no adequate treatment of his
religious thought, and it is the centrality of that
theme which justifies this investigation of his life
and works.In the first chapter I have attempted to set forth
a brief sketch of Burke's life. Some twelve or more
biographies have already appeared, and it is obviously
impossible to box the compass of his many-sided life in
so short a space. However, I have been guided in this
first chapter by the central purpose of the study, that
is, I have attempted to call attention to the religious
aspect of his speeches and writings within the larger
framework of the chief events of his lifetime. The
examination of the Wentworth Woodhouse Manuscripts at
Sheffield and the Milton Manuscripts at Lamport Hall
yielded some most interesting biographical data not
hitherto published, and I have Incorporated some of
that material in this introductory chapter.The second chapter will carry the reader into the
heart of the thesis. Here I set down Burke's attitude
toward the major religious problems toward which he
turned his prolific mind, together with an appraisal
of his personal religion and integrity. The original
work in this chapter has a two-fold aspect. First, I
have endeavoured to bring together for the first time,
from all Burke's published works and correspondence,
the essential material on these themes. Secondly,
the investigation of hundreds of Burke's hitherto unpublished letters, and his private notebooks, has made
possible a fresh and comprehensive assise of his
religious thought.The third chapter deals with Burke's political
thought. Here I am of course indebted to all those
who have so carefully and adequately set forth his political philosophy. Any claim to originality in this
chapter is derived from the delineation of the religious
presuppositions which Burke brought to the affairs of
state. That Burke held such presuppositions has long
been common knowledge; I simply document the proposi¬
tion and endeavour to show how integral was his
religious thought to his political philosophy.The fourth, fifth, and sixth chapters are concerned
with Burke's attitude toward The Established Church,
The Dissenting Churches, and The Roman Catholic Church,
respectively. There was little to be said of his
attitude toward the establishment that had not already
been recorded; hence chapter four is the shortest in
the study. In the chapter on Dissent, however, I attempt
to trace Burke's transition from a position of champion
to that of cool detachment and then vigorous opposition.
In the study of the Roman Catholic Church there is some
hitherto unpublished material which sets into sharper
focus his concern and lifelong sympathy, not only for
Catholic Snancipation, but for the Roman Catholic Church
as such
