John Evelyn

writer, gardener and diarist (1620-1706)

Sir John Evelyn (October 31, 1620February 27, 1706) was an English writer on the arts and sciences, and a founder member of the Royal Society. He is now chiefly valued for the light which his letters and his diary (kept from 1641 to 1706) cast on the social, political and intellectual history of his times.

John Evelyn

Quotes

edit
  • The title that has consecrated this Alter is the Marriage of Souls, and the Golden thread that tyes the hearts of all the world; I tell you, Madam, Freindshipp is beyond all relations of flesh and blood, because it is less materiall.
    • The Life of Mrs. Godolphin (London: William Pickering, 1847) pp. 20-21
    • Often misquoted as "Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world."

The Diary

edit

Quotations are cited from the edition by Guy de la Bédoyère (Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell, 2004).

  • He was universally belov'd, Hospitable, Generous, Learned in many things, skill'd in Musick, a very greate Cherisher of Learned men of whom he had the conversation.

Criticism

edit
  • A most excellent person he is, and must be allowed a little for a little conceitedness; but he may well be so, being a man so much above others.
edit
 
Wikipedia
Wikipedia has an article about:
 
Commons
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: