George Otto Trevelyan was born on 20 July 1838 to Sir Charles Trevelyan and Hannah Macaulay Trevelyan; his mother was the sister of Thomas Babington Macaulay. Macaulay lived in bachelor lodgings but was an almost daily visitor to his sister's household during Trevelyan's childhood and youth. Trevelyan attended Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge. Failing to obtain a fellowship, in 1862 he accompanied his father, who had been appointed governor of Madras, to India as his private secretary. Returning to London in 1864, he entered Parliament as member from Tynemouth the following year. He served in several of William Ewart Gladstone's cabinets, resigning twice on matters of principle. In 1869 he married Caroline Phillips; they had three sons.

The writing of The Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay (1876) occupied Trevelyan during the years 1874 to 1876. Trevelyan knew his subject well and loved, admired, and respected him. Macaulay was a superb companion for children and had...