

One of the great polymaths of the Victorian age, John Ruskin's interests and influence were far reaching. When he enrolled in Oxford, the young scholar showed particular interest in studying the giants of classicism. His parents hoped that this might lead their son to take Holy Orders, and perhaps even one day rise to the status of archbishop. Needless to say, Ruskin's path led in a different direction. By the time Ruskin was writing out passages from the New Testament in the present volume, he had penned some of the most important and comprehensive literary and art criticism of the 19th century, established the Ruskin School in Oxford, and formed the Guild of Saint George.