description A Letter to a Noble Lord Overview
A Letter to a Noble Lord is a political pamphlet written by Edmund Burke and published in 1796. Burke responded to criticism from the Duke of Bedford and the Earl of Lauderdale concerning the pensions granted to him by the British government. In defending those grants, he contrasted his public service with inherited aristocratic privilege and discussed property, rank, political obligation, and the social order.
help A Letter to a Noble Lord FAQ
Who is the noble lord addressed in Burke's pamphlet?
The title does not identify the recipient, but Burke's public targets are the Duke of Bedford and the Earl of Lauderdale. They had attacked the government pension awarded to Burke in debates in the House of Lords.
Why did Edmund Burke defend his pension?
Burke argued that his pension rewarded a lifetime of public service and was lawful under the existing political order. He contrasted it with the inherited wealth and privileges enjoyed by the Duke of Bedford.
When was A Letter to a Noble Lord published?
The pamphlet appeared in 1796, near the end of Burke's life. Its full title explicitly refers to attacks made upon him and his pension by Bedford and Lauderdale.
How does the pamphlet connect to Burke's views on the French Revolution?
Burke uses the pension dispute to defend inherited institutions, legitimate property and gradual political order against radical leveling. Those arguments continue the conservative position developed in Reflections on the Revolution in France, published in 1790.
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