Edwin Arnold
Sir Edwin Arnold (1832 – 1904) was a prominent English poet and journalist, renowned primarily for his 1879 epic poem, *The Light of Asia*, which explores the life and teachings of the Buddha. This work gained immense popularity and went through multiple editions, though it faced criticism from both Buddhist scholars and some Christian audiences due to its intermingling of religious themes. Arnold's literary contributions reflect his deep engagement with Indian and oriental cultures, also evident in his translation of the *Bhagavad Gita* and in his other works that often feature Indian themes.
In addition to his literary pursuits, Arnold had a significant career in journalism, serving as a writer for the *Daily Telegraph* for forty years and playing a pivotal role in sponsoring Henry Stanley's exploration of the Congo. He was also an early advocate for vegetarianism and held a leadership position in a vegetarian society connected to Mahatma Gandhi. Throughout his life, Arnold received various honors, including knighthood, for his contributions to literature and his services in India. His legacy is marked by his extensive travels, including time spent in Japan, and he is remembered as one of the early orientalists. Arnold's family included six children, one of whom became a noted science fiction writer.
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Edwin Arnold
Poet
- Born: June 10, 1832
- Birthplace: Gravesend, Kent, England
- Died: March 24, 1904
- Place of death: London, England
Biography
Sir Edwin Arnold, the second son of Robert Coles, attended King’s School in Rochester and King’s College in London before entering University College at Oxford, where he won the Newdigate Prize for his poem “Feast of Balshazzar.” After graduating from Oxford he served as assistant master at King Edward’s School in Birmingham before going to India to serve as principal of the Government Sanskrit College at Poona (now Pune). He returned to England in 1861 and became a journalist for the Daily Telegraph, remaining there for forty years. He was responsible for having the Daily Telegraph and the New York Herald sponsor Henry Stanley’s African trip to explore the Congo, and for his assistance Stanley named a mountain after him. He also coined the phrase “Cape to Cairo railway,” advocating the creation of a railroad crossing Africa.
His major claim to fame, however, was his Indian epic poem, The Light of Asia (1879), which was so popular that it went through several editions. Light of Asia focuses on the Buddha’s life and teaching and was praised for its poetry. However, Buddhist scholars criticized Arnold’s handling of Buddhim, while Christians were upset with the poem’s coupling of Buddhism and Christianity. Twelve years later he published The Light of the World, focused on Jesus Christ, to appease his Christian critics, but the volume lacked the local color and exotic flavor of the first book. Most of his other books of poetry had Indian and oriental themes, and he also translated the Bhagawad Gita.
Arnold was one of the first orientalists. He adopted vegetarianism as a diet, serving as vice president of the Bayswater (London) vegetarian society of Mahatma Gandhi. His wide travels included a trip to the United States in 1889, and he published travel books about Japan, where he lived with his third wife, Tama Kurokawa, during the 1890’s. (His first wife, Katherine Biddulph, died in 1864, and his second, Fannie Channing, died in 1889). He had six children, including his son, Edwin Lester Arnold, who became a noted science fiction writer.
When Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in 1877, Arnold received the first of two awards for his services in India, the Companion of the Eminent Order of the Indian Empire. In 1888 he received the Companion of the Exalted Order of the Star of India, which brought him knighthood. The rulers of Turkey, Persia, Siam, and Japan also decorated him for his services. In addition, two paintings of him are displayed in the National Portrait Gallery in London.