W. E. H. Lecky (1838–1903) was one of the most distinguished Victorian historians, although he never held any academic post. He was unusual in the extent to which he made use of archival sources, and noted for his ability of do justice to both sides of an argument. His History of Ireland in the Eighteenth Century was first published as part of A History of England in the Eighteenth Century, but reissued in 1892 as a five volume work. He has been described as the first revisionist Irish historian, as the the aim of the book was partly to respond to Froude's The English in Ireland in the Eighteenth Century, which is markedly anti-Irish in its sentiments. Lecky was no nationalist, and opposed Home Rule, but wanted to provide a more truthful and balanced account, and his account of the United Irishmen and the events of 1798 was highly regarded.