The Autobiography of Arthur Young - a life of Agriculture

Rather than reviewing the book itself, I thought we could delve into Arthur Young's life to learn who he was and what he achieved.

Original Publication London: Smith, Elder & Company, 1898. 

Release Date Apr 19, 2024

Link https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/73426

Arthur Young (1741–1820) was an English agriculturist, prolific writer, and influential observer of social and political affairs. Let’s delve into his fascinating life and contributions:

Early Life:

• Born on September 11, 1741, in Whitehall, London, Arthur Young was the second son of Anna Lucretia Coussmaker and Arthur Young Sr., who served as the rector of Bradfield Combust in Suffolk and chaplain to Arthur Onslow.
• Young attended school in Lavenham and later worked at a mercantile house in King’s Lynn.
• After his father's death, he became responsible for his family estate at Bradfield Hall and focused on farming there between 1763 and 1766.
• Young’s interest in agriculture and writing began to flourish during this period.

Farmer and Writer:

• Although Young wasn’t personally successful as a farmer, he leveraged his connections and activities as a publicist to establish a substantial reputation as an expert on agricultural improvement.
• He engaged in various agriculture-related experiments, documented in his work “A Course of Experimental Agriculture” (1770).
• Young’s friendship with Walter Harte, who published “Essays on Husbandry” in 1764, further fueled his interest in agriculture.
• He contributed to the Museum Rusticum, a publication focused on farming.

Social and Political Observer:

• Beyond agriculture, Young gained recognition as a social and political observer.
• His travels and writings provided detailed accounts of England, Wales, Ireland, and France on the eve of the revolution.
• Notably, his works “Tour in Ireland” (1780) and “Travels in France” (1792) were widely read.
• After the French Revolution of 1789, Young’s informed views on politics carried weight and became an important opponent of British reformers.

Legacy:

• Arthur Young is considered a prominent English writer on agriculture, even though his fame extends beyond farming.
• His insights into social issues and his ability to capture the spirit of his time make him a remarkable figure in history.