.larlhorough has often been severely treated by historians. lie was unquestionably unserupulous and avaricious. On the other hand, it was a time when this was true of nearly all public men, re gardless of party. and .larlborough has received more blame simply because lic was, more promi nent. military abilities. however, have never been questioned. Unlike his two great sue ecssors. Frederick the Great and Napoleon. he WO, never entirely unhampered. The was al ways compelled to have regard for the wishes of his allies and the political situation in England. Bill he was the first since classic times to im press upon generals the need of rapidity of move Illent and the execution of campaigns as a whole. .\loreover, he had the ability, which only the greatest comnianders have, to amalgamate the different elements of his army. to liceonie the hero of his soldiers. Tlis campaigns always showed a grasp Of the proportion of things. Tie lieVer frittered his strength away on details, but waited for the decisive battle. Among generals, he is one 14 the very few who never lost a bat tle, and never failed in a eampaign.
Consult: :Murray. Letters anti Dispatches of John. Duke of Marlborough. from 1702 to 1712 ( 5 vol.., London. I651 : id., Private Correspond , lice of the Duke uod Duchess of 3/orlborough (2 vols.. London. 15381: id.. Letters of the Duchess of Ihrrilmnillyll (London, 18751. The most Com plete life is that of 'oxe. Menioirg of Ike nuke of llorlboronlyli (3 London. IS-17-4SL but it is too partial to Marlborough. A bitter al lack on Marlborough is in \Inc:inlay's History: while an impartial pharacter-st tidy is to be found in Saintslatry. 1/or/borough (London. 1579). For the military history of larlhornitgli, and an estimate of him as a general. ettlisult: Dodge. (";tot. farms Adolphus and the Derclopmrnt of (lie .1 re of War (Boston and Ni''.'.' York, 15951 : Fortesene, in reont Well /o Well I lig1071 (1.01141011. 18991; Alison. (Mary Life of the llukr of liarlitorongh 14791: also gen eral histories like Green. History of I/ic English People (New l'ork. 1S79),