In these seven volumes, published in 1908, Justin McCarthy takes on the contemporary history of England with an unbiased yet unflinching eye. This politically moderate, even-tempered work is an ambitious yet brilliant piece of history. After the death of Lord Palmerston, volume four starts its narrative with the ascension of Lord Russell to Prime Minister—and ends with his death in 1878. McCarthy includes an extra chapter on great minds such as Charles Darwin and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.