John Guy
John Guy (John Alexander Guy) was born on January 16th, 1949 and is currently 77 years old. John Guy was born in Warragul, Victoria, Australia. Guy attended Clare College, Cambridge where he received a First degree in History.
John Guy is a British historian and biographer. He is the author of
A Daughter’s Love, which explores the relationship between Thomas More and his daughter Margaret More. Thomas More’s story is well known, but the role of his daughter, Meg Roper, is far less familiar. Guy presents her as a new tragic heroine and makes a convincing case for her as the great woman behind a great man.
According to Guy, Margaret was her father’s main confidante and correspondent. She visited him frequently in the Tower of London, while her mother made the journey only once. Her contemporaries praised her as an example of the value of educating women. More ensured that Margaret learned Greek and Latin alongside her siblings at their school in Chelsea. At sixteen, her literary skill impressed the Bishop of Exeter, and she was able to correct Erasmus’s edition of the letters to St. Cyprian.
Margaret remains in the shadows of the historical record, as do many early modern women. The surviving evidence is too limited to tell their stories fully, and in many cases, as Guy notes, “we can only imagine.” He acknowledges that Margaret might have influenced events surrounding the Reformation, but as a woman in her era, she had no real power to do so.
Guy’s book draws on a thorough and detailed examination of the sources. He deploys an impressive depth of telling detail, something many biographers of Thomas More struggle to achieve without drifting into hagiography. Guy does not shield readers from the less admirable aspects of More’s character, including his vanity, his intellectual rivalries and his fondness for scatological humor.
The book also makes use of tragic irony. For example, More’s address to the new king and queen in 1509, delivered as they headed to their coronation, was filled with conventional hopes and compliments, yet it set in motion a chain of events that ultimately contributed to his downfall.
Guy adds moments of comic relief as well. He notes that More often described himself as “a force of nature even half a giglot and more,” and recounts a prank More once played in his role as judge of the Court of Chancery.
In the end, More’s tragedy raises enduring questions about whether private principles can survive the demands of public life, and whether a person should pursue integrity even when it conflicts with service to the state. His story concludes with a symbolic reunion of father and daughter in New York, where photographs of both are preserved in nearby museums.
Related Authors
Fans of John Guy also enjoy these authors:
- Erik Larson, author of: The Devil in the White City.
- Bill Bryson, author of the Bill Bryson Travel Books.
- Dan Brown, author of the Robert Langdon Series.
- Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale Series.
- Barbara Kingsolver, author of: Demon Copperhead.
John Guy: F.A.Q
When was John Guy Born? How old is John Guy?
John Guy was born on January 16th, 1949. John Guy is currently 77 years old.
Where was John Guy Born?
John Guy was born in Warragul, Victoria, Australia and is British.
What was the first book John Guy wrote?
The first book written by John Guy was Kent Castles, Gardens and Ancient Houses, published in 1977.
What was the most recent book John Guy wrote?
His most recently released work was Hunting the Falcon on September 14th, 2023.
What is the most popular book by John Guy?
Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular John Guy book is
A Daughter\'s Love. Here are his most popular books:
- A Daughter's Love (10)
Are there upcoming new books by John Guy?
John Guy does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
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How many books has John Guy written?
John Guy has written 62 books across 13 series, excluding contributions to anthologies.
- 2 books in the Essential History Guides Series
- 3 books in the Howling Monkey Short Break Guides Series
- 2 Collections
- 4 Children's Books
- 34 Non-Fiction Books
- 1 book in the Bloody History Series
- 3 books in the Early Civilizations Series
- 1 book in the Images of England Series
- 1 book in the Penguin Monarchs Series
- 8 books in the Snapping Turtle Guides Series
- 1 book in The Life of … Early Civilization Series
- 1 book in the Very Brief Histories Series
- 1 book in the Very Short Introductions Series