Instruction does not prevent wasted time or mistakes; and mistakes themselves are often the best teachers of all.

On the death of his adversary Freeman in 1892 Froude was appointed on the recommendation of Lord Salisbury to succeed him as Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford. Froude intended with these writings "to kindle in the public mind at home that imaginative enthusiasm for the Colonial idea of which his own heart was full. Carlyle also made claims of ownership over her uncle's papers and over the profits from their publication.

Inspired by Thomas Carlyle Froude's historical writings were often fiercely polemical earning him a number of outspoken opponents. Froude continued to be controversial up until his death for his Life of Carlyle which he publiJames Anthony Frouded along with personal writings of Thomas and Jane Welsh Carlyle.