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Astronaut, v. 1, issue 1, September 1947

Page 11

11
Article

ENIGMA
By Rupert Evans

AS AN AMATEUR HISTORIAN, one of my favorite occupations is musing over the careers of history's Great Men. From the earliest pages of recorded history, through the biographies of the world's most famous leaders, writers, and philosophers of all ages, I find a great and constantly recurring mystery that has never been solved: Does the man make the event, or does the event make the man?

Consider, for example, the life of Julius Caesar. He was a great carouser in his youth, apparently without a serious thought in his head, but -- when offered the opportunity -- his latent ability as a military and political strategist came to the fore, and he emerged as one of history's greatest figures.

Henry V of England had a similar career. Only when he received the crown did he break away from his drinking companions and apply himself to the affairs of the court, with such success that he became one of England's greatest monarchs, and the most successful military leader of his time.

Napoleon Bonaparte was a lowly captain of artillery when a coup-d'etat made him ruler of France and the terror of Europe. Including him as one of history's great men is perhaps open to question, but if we call a man "great" when he displays extraordinary ability in a particular field, we must include him.

Andrew Jackson was a nine days' wonder in his time. The transformation of a military leader of great ability into an even greater statesman and democrat is not often made, but Jackson made the change with unusual distinction. During his presidency, the United States was the nearest it has ever been to a true democracy. Enterprise was truly free in his day.

Then there is the career of Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose tenure as assistant Secretary of the Navy and as Governor of New York State gave no hint of the greatness to come.

Last to be considered is the unusual career of the late unlamented Fuhrer of Germany, Adolf Hitler. As a corporal in the Wehrmacht during World War I, there was nothing very remarkable about him. Later, as an artist and as a wallpaper-hanger there was little to indicate those talents which were to make him the most feared man in modern history.

In each of these careers is embodied the enigma of greatness. We are left with the question: Why is it that these and other great men of history showed little or no promise of greatness at the beginning of their careers, but, when offered the opportunity, showed immense ability as military of political leaders?

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11 Article ENIGMA By Rupert Evans AS AN AMATEUR HISTORIAN, one of my favorite occupations is musing over the careers of history's Great Men. From the earliest pages of recorded history, through the biographies of the world's most famous leaders, writers, and philosophers of all ages, I find a great and constantly recurring mystery that has never been solved: Does the man make the event, or does the event make the man? Consider, for example, the life of Julius Caesar. He was a great carouser in his youth, apparently without a serious thought in his head, but -- when offered the opportunity -- his latent ability as a military and political strategist came to the fore, and he emerged as one of history's greatest figures. Henry V of England had a similar career. Only when he received the crown did he break away from his drinking companions and apply himself to the affairs of the court, with such success that he became one of England's greatest monarchs, and the most successful military leader of his time. Napoleon Bonaparte was a lowly captain of artillery when a coup-d'etat made him ruler of France and the terror of Europe. Including him as one of history's great men is perhaps open to question, but if we call a man "great" when he displays extraordinary ability in a particular field, we must include him. Andrew Jackson was a nine days' wonder in his time. The transformation of a military leader of great ability into an even greater statesman and democrat is not often made, but Jackson made the change with unusual distinction. During his presidency, the United States was the nearest it has ever been to a true democracy. Enterprise was truly free in his day. Then there is the career of Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose tenure as assistant Secretary of the Navy and as Governor of New York State gave no hint of the greatness to come. Last to be considered is the unusual career of the late unlamented Fuhrer of Germany, Adolf Hitler. As a corporal in the Wehrmacht during World War I, there was nothing very remarkable about him. Later, as an artist and as a wallpaper-hanger there was little to indicate those talents which were to make him the most feared man in modern history. In each of these careers is embodied the enigma of greatness. We are left with the question: Why is it that these and other great men of history showed little or no promise of greatness at the beginning of their careers, but, when offered the opportunity, showed immense ability as military of political leaders? (Concluded on next page)