The Life, Letters and Literary Remains of Edward Bulwer, Lord Lytton

Published in 1883, this two-volume work sheds light on an author who was outsold only by Dickens in his lifetime.

Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton (Author)

9781108069571, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 February 2014

416 pages, 12 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.5 cm, 0.55 kg

One of the most popular writers of his age, outsold only by Dickens, Edward George Bulwer Lytton (1803–73), first Baron Lytton, is notable for coining the phrases 'the great unwashed' and 'the pen is mightier than the sword', although his work is largely forgotten today. G. K. Chesterton's appraisal was that 'you could not have the Victorian Age without him'. Lytton requested that his son Edward Robert (1831–91), first Earl of Lytton, complete his autobiography. Complemented by letters and previously unpublished material - the better to flesh out the story of a prolific literary life - it appeared in two volumes in 1883. In his preface, Edward Robert writes that his main purpose is 'to illustrate my father's works by his life, and his life by his works'. Volume 2 completes the biographical narrative, including details of Lytton's later political life, correspondence with Disraeli and others, and work left unfinished.

Part V. Single Life: 1. Prospect and retrospect
2. Influence of the Abbé Kinsella
3. Mrs Cunningham
4. Weeds and Wildflowers
5. Rosina Wheeler
6. The Nouvelle Héloïse
7. Return to England
Part VI. Unprofessional Authorship: 1. 'O'Niel'
2. Glenallan
3. Sketches and studies
4. Falkland
Part VII. Matrimony and Professional Authorship: 1. Uncertainty and dejection
2. Engaged
3. Married
4. Woodcot
5. Life at Woodcot
6. Estrangement between mother and son
7. Drudgery
8. Pelham
9. Birth of a daughter and publication of The Disowned
10. Reconciliation with his mother, and removal to London
11. Effect of the literary upon the married life
12. Devereux
13. Paul Clifford
Book VIII. Continuance of Literary and Commencement of Parliamentary Life: 1. Literary susceptibilities
2. The Vicar of Wakefield
3. Personal and family incidents
4. Entry into Parliament
5. Benjamin Disraeli
6. Greville
7. Greville (cont.)
8. Greville (cont.)
9. Greville (cont.)
10. Greville (cont.)
11. Greville (cont.)
12. Greville (cont.)
13. Greville broken off.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900 [DSBF]