I. A. Richards

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Charles Kay Ogden

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William Empson

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I. A. Richards

Ivor Armstrong Richards (26 February 1893 – 7 September 1979) was an influential English literary critic, rhetorician, and poet. He is often considered one of the founders of the modern study of literary theory and criticism. His work laid the foundation for the New Criticism movement and significantly influenced the development of practical criticism.

Early Life and Education

Richards was born in Sandbach, Cheshire, England. He attended Clifton College and later studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a degree in Moral Sciences in 1915. His early education and exposure to various intellectual traditions profoundly shaped his later work in literary theory and criticism.

Career and Contributions

Richards began his academic career as a lecturer in English and Moral Sciences at Cambridge University. His early work, particularly the book The Meaning of Meaning (1923), co-authored with C. K. Ogden, explored the relationship between language, thought, and communication. This work introduced the concept of semantic theory and laid the groundwork for his later studies in literary criticism.

In 1929, Richards published Practical Criticism, a seminal work that introduced a new method of literary analysis. This method involved close reading and analysis of texts without considering the author's biography or historical context, focusing instead on the text itself. This approach became a cornerstone of the New Criticism movement.

Richards also made significant contributions to the field of rhetoric. His book The Philosophy of Rhetoric (1936) examined the principles of effective communication and persuasion, emphasizing the importance of understanding the audience and context.

Later Life and Legacy

In the 1930s, Richards moved to the United States, where he taught at Harvard University. His work continued to influence the fields of literary criticism, rhetoric, and education. He was instrumental in developing the concept of Basic English, a simplified version of the English language intended to facilitate international communication.

Richards' influence extended beyond academia. His ideas about language, meaning, and interpretation have had a lasting impact on various disciplines, including linguistics, philosophy, and education.

Selected Works

• The Meaning of Meaning (1923) – co-authored with C. K. Ogden
• Principles of Literary Criticism (1924)
• Practical Criticism (1929)
• The Philosophy of Rhetoric (1936)
• How to Read a Page (1942)

Related Pages

• Literary theory
• New Criticism
• Practical criticism
• Rhetoric
• Basic English
• C. K. Ogden
• Harvard University

Categories

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