Acton, << AK tuhn, >> Lord (1834-1902), was one of the most respected historians of the 1800’s. Many of his works focused on the history of freedom. Acton also planned the massive Cambridge Modern History. His statement that “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” has become a famous proverb.
Acton was a prominent liberal Roman Catholic. At Vatican Council I (1869-1870), he worked with bishops who opposed the church’s adoption of the doctrine of papal infallibility. This doctrine states that the pope can commit no errors when he speaks as head of the church to define solemnly, in matters of faith and morals, what is to be accepted by all Roman Catholics.
John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton was born on Jan. 10, 1834, in Naples, Italy. As a child, he moved with his family to the United Kingdom. In 1869, he became a baron. He was a professor of modern history at Cambridge University from 1895 until his death on June 19, 1902.
