John Ruskin (1819–1900) was a prominent Victorian-era English critic of art, architecture, and society, as well as an influential thinker and philanthropist. His works are characterized by the depth and variety of his interests, which ranged from geology to poetry, art, and social theory. Ruskin's 'Frondes Agrestes: Readings in 'Modern Painters'' is a curated selection of passages from his larger work 'Modern Painters' (1843–1860), in which he argues for the importance of truth to nature in art, advocating for a detailed study of the natural world. Ruskin's literary style is descriptive, rich in metaphor, and often marked by moral earnestness. His advocacy for the integration of beauty and utility in architecture and design, as well as his concerns for social and environmental issues, influenced the Arts and Crafts Movement and later the formation of the National Trust. As a professor at Oxford and prolific writer, he left a significant intellectual legacy. His complete writings remain vital for those interested in Victorian art, social criticism, and the linkage between aesthetics and ethics.