far from the madding crowd

¹

1. To be “far from the madding crowd” is to be removed, either literally or figuratively, from the frenzied actions of any large crowd or from the bustle of civilization. (See also under “Literature in English.”)

far from the madding crowd

²

1. A phrase adapted from the “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard,” by Thomas Gray: madding means “frenzied.” The lines containing the phrase speak of the people buried in the churchyard: “Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife / Their sober wishes never learned to stray.”

In the late nineteenth century, the English author Thomas Hardy named one of his novels Far from the Madding Crowd.

Example Sentences

The pressing personal significance to such an anniversary “In C,” and one so far from the madding crowd of them, appeared to be Riley’s own instinctive return, at this late stage of his work, to making a music wide open, free as a winged bird, presenting an imaginative kit for the performer.

From Los Angeles Times

He gained prominence in the 1960s as a style icon of the “Swinging London” era, starring in films like Far from the Madding Crowd and The Collector.

From Salon

With actress Julie Christie or supermodel Jean Shrimpton on his arm, he specialised in playing sophisticated villains: including Superman's arch nemesis, General Zod, and the petulant Sergeant Troy in Far From the Madding Crowd.

From BBC

In a career that spanned six decades, the Oscar-nominated actor starred in films including The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Far From the Madding Crowd and Valkyrie.

From BBC

He soon made a name for himself as a villain, with stand-out performances in Superman and Superman II as General Zod and Sergeant Troy in the 1967 Far From the Madding Crowd.

From BBC