John Lothrop Motley's literary criticism was written and published early in his career, before he began to establish himself as the historian of the Netherlands. The criticism adds in some measure to his reputation as an intellectual but today is chiefly of interest to the biographer and literary historian. Among the second generation of Americans who elected to pursue graduate study in Germany, Motley is heavily indebted to German historicism, especially as phrased by the Leipzig School, which examined all forms of institutional expression (including literature) within the frame of national character. More narrowly, he was influenced by Goethe and Johann Schiller in concentrating on biography. His critical work was thus of a contextual and historical order to which he brought personal endowments: scholarly learning, a balanced and perspicuous mind, and a genial tolerance that made him unmindful of matters of party or belief.

Motley was born in...