John Burrow bol popredný anglický historik intelektuálnych dejín. Jeho diela priniesli sofistikovanejší prístup k dejinám spoločenských vied, ktorý nevidel minulosť iba ako predzvesť súčasnosti. Burrow sa zaoberal najmä Whigovskou interpretáciou dejín a historiografiou všeobecne. Jeho hlboké analýzy a náročný štýl zanechali v odbore nesmazateľnú stopu.
Burrow examines the impact of science and social thought on European intellectual life prior to World War I. He considers ideas in physics, social evolution and social Darwinism, and anxieties about modernity and personal identity.
Focusing on three pivotal crises in English history, the book explores their profound impact on Victorian society. It delves into how these events shaped cultural, social, and political landscapes, influencing the values and beliefs of the era. By examining the responses of Victorians to these crises, the author highlights the interplay between historical events and societal development, revealing the lasting significance of these moments in shaping modern England.