Microcosmographia Academica - Being a Guide for the Young Academic Politician - Preface

Sep 28, 2026

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This work, Microcosmographia Academica, presents a satirical guide to academic politics, framed as counsel for the young “academic politician.” The preface by W.K.C. Guthrie argues that the book’s value is not limited to any single historical moment, citing its enduring relevance across reprints, decades, and wars. It highlights key themes such as argument, the conduct of business, propaganda, and the risks of inertia versus rapid change, emphasizing human nature over shifting institutions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages44

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Continued relevance after reprints, years, and wars

Propaganda definition

Inertia versus rapid change

The book’s practical applicability

The Argument of the Wedge and human nature

# F.M.CORNFORD MICROCOSMO-GRAPHIAACADEMICA BEING A GUIDEFOR THE YOUNGACADEMICPOLITICIAN BOWES &BOWES LONDON This satire on University politics was firstpublished in I908 and has since been repub-lished in six editions.Despite the passage ofnearly sixty years since it first appeared,andthe intervention of two world wars,the bookhas such relevance to the present day thatthe publishers are persuaded that those whoknow it of old,and those who discover itafresh,will hail its reappearance with delight.As Professor Guthrie claims in his foreword,the book is already a classic;its content hasits roots in no changing historical situation,but in human nature. ‘Cornford's Microcosmographia Academica—“A Guide for the Young Academic Politician”一first came out in I908.Universities havechanged much in the meantime,but the prin-ciples that it lays down apply just as fittinglyto the Oxford of today as to the Oxford ofhalf a century ago.Like Henry James,“When I say Oxford,I mean Cambridge”;it was in Cambridge that Cornford found thematerial for his satire,but,however much,and however mysteriously,they differ inother respects,in their methods of con-ducting their affairs the two ancient Univer-sities are practically indistinguishable. ‘Cornford's wit is as fresh as his wisdom,for the institutions and the characters that hesatirises have not been changed by the passageof time. 'A copy of this little book should certainlybe placed in the hands of everyone at Oxford(or at Cambridge)who is interested in pro-moting or preventing the reform of his uni-versity.'JOHN SPARROw,The Sunday Times ‘Written with direct reference to theacademic politics that enlivens and elevateslife in all universities,its teaching is readilyadaptable...Cornford is especially helpfulin devising argument to support the academictheory of foreign affairs.' DEAN ACHESON,The Reporter,New York NET 5M # MICROCOSMOGRAPHIAACADEMICA MICROCOSMOGRAPHIAACADEMICA # BEING A GUIDE FORTHE YOUNGACADEMIC POLITICIAN F.M.CORNFORD PREFACE BYW.K.C.GUTHRIE BOWES&BOWES LONDON First published by Bowes &Bowes,Cambridge,in I908 Sixth edition reset atThe University PressCambridgeI964Reprinted 1966 All rights reserved Printed in Great Britain at the University Printing House,Cambridge,forBowes &Bowes (Publishers)Ltd,42 Great Russell Street,WC1 PREFACE When Microcosmographia Academica was reprinted in I922,Cornford himself wrote a short preface on the subject of itscontinued relevance after fourteen years and a war.(It is tothis preface,by the way,that weowe the admirable definitionof Propaganda as'that branch of the art oflying which con-sists in very nearly deceiving your friends without quite de-ceiving your enemies'.)It may be supposed that,had helived,he would have added a few more words in explanationof its reappearance after another twenty-seven years and theupheaval of a second and greater war.If I may attempt tofill a gap which only he could have filled adequately,I wouldsay first that the justification of Microcosmographia does notlie only in its relevance to the present situation.It is alreadya classic.The academic scene is indeed changed since I908,but it is only an additional pleasure to come unexpectedlyupon such historical details as the prohibition of walking toMadingley on Sundays without academical dress.I will notdeprive a new reader of this pleasure by mentioning others.It seems perhaps more serious that whereas Cornford's enemywas inertia(There is only one argument for doing some-thing;the rest are arguments for doing nothing'),we mayreasonably hold today that the greatest peril to the thingswhich we value(and he valued)lies in too rapid change.Un-fortunately,too,we can nolonger confine to the unregenerateAdullamites the description that they are‘dangerous,becausethey know what they want;and that is,all the money thatis going'.Yet after all,in so far as they are a menace,thechanges of today are for the most part not caused by aca-demics them

FAQs

Who wrote the preface to Microcosmographia Academica, and what is its main purpose?

W.K.C. Guthrie wrote the preface. It explains why the book remains relevant beyond its original publication context and fills gaps only the author could have addressed.

What does the preface say about the definition of propaganda?

The preface quotes an admirable definition of propaganda as a branch of lying that nearly deceives friends without quite deceiving enemies.

Why does the preface claim the book’s appeal does not depend only on current events?

It argues that the core justification rests on lasting principles—especially those tied to human nature and the enduring utility of the book’s guidance on argument and conduct of business.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Rizky