George Lansing Raymond
Encyclopedia
George Lansing Raymond, (1839–1929)
was a prominent professor of Aesthetic Criticism at Princeton University (1880–1905) and author of a new system of esthetics.
He also served as a professor at George Washington University (D.C.) and Williams College (his alma mater).
Raymond was an art theorist who created the first comprehensive and systematic theory of the arts. The New York Times said "In a spirit at once scientific and that of the true artist, he pierces through the manifestations of art to their sources, and shows the relations, intimate and essential, between painting, sculpture, poetry, music, and architecture."
He was rare among art theorists of the time (and since), to use psychology and physiology and biological factors to ground his art theory, and to use detailed discussions of specific art works to validate his views.
His work is neglected, although some scholars say his system deserves resurrection.
His basic approach is as stated in his summary one-volume book Essentials of Esthetics:
"The phenomena of the arts of the highest class have been traced [in this book] to their sources in material nature and in the human mind; the different arts have been shown to be developed by exactly similar methods; and these methods have been shown to characterize the entire work of artistic imagination, from the formulation of psychical concepts to that of their most physical expressions in rhythm, proportion and harmony."
He was also a vocal advocate of a scientific and rational Christianity. He seemed to be following in Aquinas’ footsteps in believing he could rationalize religious belief with science.
He was also a widely published poet during the latter part of the 19th century, though with no lasting celebrity.
He wrote works on oratory (i.e., rhetoric), early in life, since he a professor of oratory; and later in life after retiring from his professorships, he wrote a book on ethics and natural law.
Three of his books (the last two in the esthetic book list above, and one on ethics) are available in full digital text form at subscriber website www.questia.com. In 2008 and 2009, all of these books were re-published by Kessinger Publishing and Bibliolife Publishing in hardcover and paperback. The title "Genesis of Art-Form" is also accessible for free at www.esthetics.cc (along with an archival copy of the New York Times 1893 book review of that book.)
, twice Mayor of Chicago
. He was educated at Phillips Academy, Andover, graduating in 1858, and Williams College.
He married Mary Elizabeth Blake in 1872.
To see his New York Times Obituary: http://www.esthetics.cc/articles/Raymond%20-%20Obituary%20in%20NYT%201929.pdf
was a prominent professor of Aesthetic Criticism at Princeton University (1880–1905) and author of a new system of esthetics.
He also served as a professor at George Washington University (D.C.) and Williams College (his alma mater).
Career
Author of a systematic theory of art published by G.P. Putnam, published in seven volumes during the period 1886 to 1900, and republished as a set of uniform volumes in 1909. Additionally an eighth volume was published, as a summary of the seven volumes, titled, “Essentials of Esthetics”. A volume of excerpts of his seven books, edited by the classical scholar Marion Mills Miller, was also published by Putnam in 1920. (see publication list below)Raymond was an art theorist who created the first comprehensive and systematic theory of the arts. The New York Times said "In a spirit at once scientific and that of the true artist, he pierces through the manifestations of art to their sources, and shows the relations, intimate and essential, between painting, sculpture, poetry, music, and architecture."
He was rare among art theorists of the time (and since), to use psychology and physiology and biological factors to ground his art theory, and to use detailed discussions of specific art works to validate his views.
His work is neglected, although some scholars say his system deserves resurrection.
His basic approach is as stated in his summary one-volume book Essentials of Esthetics:
"The phenomena of the arts of the highest class have been traced [in this book] to their sources in material nature and in the human mind; the different arts have been shown to be developed by exactly similar methods; and these methods have been shown to characterize the entire work of artistic imagination, from the formulation of psychical concepts to that of their most physical expressions in rhythm, proportion and harmony."
He was also a vocal advocate of a scientific and rational Christianity. He seemed to be following in Aquinas’ footsteps in believing he could rationalize religious belief with science.
He was also a widely published poet during the latter part of the 19th century, though with no lasting celebrity.
He wrote works on oratory (i.e., rhetoric), early in life, since he a professor of oratory; and later in life after retiring from his professorships, he wrote a book on ethics and natural law.
Three of his books (the last two in the esthetic book list above, and one on ethics) are available in full digital text form at subscriber website www.questia.com. In 2008 and 2009, all of these books were re-published by Kessinger Publishing and Bibliolife Publishing in hardcover and paperback. The title "Genesis of Art-Form" is also accessible for free at www.esthetics.cc (along with an archival copy of the New York Times 1893 book review of that book.)
Personal life
Raymond was the son of Benjamin Wright RaymondBenjamin Wright Raymond
Benjamin Wright Raymond was an American politician who twice served as mayor of Chicago, Illinois for the Whig Party.During his terms as mayor, Raymond ensured that State Street would be a wide thoroughfare...
, twice Mayor of Chicago
Mayor of Chicago
The Mayor of Chicago is the chief executive of Chicago, Illinois, the third largest city in the United States. He or she is charged with directing city departments and agencies, and with the advice and consent of the Chicago City Council, appoints department and agency leaders.-Appointment...
. He was educated at Phillips Academy, Andover, graduating in 1858, and Williams College.
He married Mary Elizabeth Blake in 1872.
To see his New York Times Obituary: http://www.esthetics.cc/articles/Raymond%20-%20Obituary%20in%20NYT%201929.pdf
External links
- Men of Mark in America Biography