The Idea of a University Defined and Illustrated is a book written by John Henry Cardinal Newman, an English theologian and philosopher, and published in 1852. The book is a collection of lectures that Newman delivered as the first rector of the newly established Catholic University of Ireland in Dublin.The book is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the idea of a university, its nature, purpose, and role in society. Newman argues that a university should be a place of intellectual inquiry and exploration, where students are exposed to a wide range of disciplines and ideas. He emphasizes the importance of liberal education, which he defines as an education that is not focused on practical skills but on the cultivation of the mind and the development of the whole person.The second part of the book deals with the practical organization and management of a university. Newman discusses the importance of academic freedom, the role of the faculty, and the relationship between the university and the wider community. He also addresses the question of how a Catholic university should balance its commitment to the Catholic faith with its commitment to academic freedom and intellectual inquiry.Overall, The Idea of a University Defined and Illustrated is a classic work of educational philosophy that continues to be influential today. Newman's ideas about the nature and purpose of a university have shaped the development of higher education in the Western world, and his emphasis on liberal education and academic freedom remains relevant to contemporary debates about the value and purpose of a university education.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.