I. A. Richards

Ivor Armstrong Richards (26 February 1893 – 7 September 1979) was an influential English literary critic and rhetorician. He is often considered one of the founders of the New Criticism movement. Richards was also a prominent educator and philosopher, known for his work in the field of semantics.

Early Life and Education

Richards was born in Sandbach, Cheshire, England. He attended Clifton College and later studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he developed an interest in literature and philosophy.

Career

Richards began his career as a lecturer in English literature at the University of Cambridge. He collaborated with C. K. Ogden on the book The Meaning of Meaning, which explored the relationship between language and thought. This work laid the foundation for his later studies in semantics and communication theory.

New Criticism

Richards is best known for his role in the development of New Criticism, a movement that emphasized close reading and analysis of the text itself, rather than focusing on the author's biography or historical context. His book Practical Criticism introduced techniques for analyzing poetry and prose, which became fundamental to the study of literature.

Contributions to Education

Richards was also a pioneer in the field of education, advocating for the use of basic English as a tool for teaching and communication. He believed that simplifying the English language could help non-native speakers learn more effectively.

Legacy

Richards' work has had a lasting impact on the fields of literary criticism, rhetoric, and education. His ideas continue to influence scholars and educators around the world.

Selected Works

• The Meaning of Meaning (with C. K. Ogden)
• Principles of Literary Criticism
• Practical Criticism
• The Philosophy of Rhetoric

See Also

• New Criticism
• Semantics
• Basic English

References

• I. A. Richards - Britannica
• I. A. Richards - Poetry Foundation