The desire for posthumous fame has grown less than it was in those days, because of the growth of newspapers. Contemporary fame can now be much greater than it could be in former times that it has almost crowded out the wish for the slender trickle of admiration derivable from the readers of history. The fame of a film star at the present day far exceeds that of Alexander or Caesar at the height of his career. ... The effect of all this is that admiration is sought in more ephemeral forms than those formerly desired. Men's work becomes less statuesque, and there is more effort to make it appeal to all and sundry.
Source: Whose admiration do you desire? (written in Dec. 12, 1931 and pub. in Mortals and Others, v.1, 1975.
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