The Scottish historian and essayist, Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), became a wealthy and very successful writer after the publication of his three volumes on The French Revolution. However, Carlyle was another individual who experienced more than a little failure.

It was through his friend in London, John Stuart Mill (the famous philosopher and economist), that Carlyle first became interested in the French Revolution. In time that interest led Carlyle to start writing, what would eventually become a masterpiece of modern day literature. However, it wasn’t all plain sailing! After five months of continuous writing, Carlyle finished the first volume, which he then passed over to his friend, John Mill, so that he could give it his professional opinion. Unfortunately, whilst the manuscript was in Mill’s care, a maid lighting a fire accidentally burnt it! The whole thing, all of five months’ work, up in smoke! Mill was devastated and horrified at the loss as, indeed, anyone would be, but Carlyle never uttered a single word of condemnation. Of course, he was upset – who wouldn’t be? But instead of dwelling on the defeat, the non-success, Carlyle sat down and started out again from scratch!

R. Ian Seymour

R. Ian Seymour, excerpt from Discover Your True Potential