The History of Sir George Ellison

by Sarah Scott

The History of Sir George Ellison (1766) is an important novel, both utopian and dystopian. Sir George, a man of benevolence, follows the pattern of the female utopia set forth in Scott's first novel, A Description of Millenium Hall (1762). In this sequel, Scott addresses issues of slavery, marriage, education, law and social justice, class pretensions, and the position of women in society, consistently emphasizing the importance, for both genders and all classes and ages, of devoting one's life to meaningful work. Although she adopted a gradualist approach to reform, Scott's uncompromising revelation of the corruption of English society in her day is clear-sighted, arresting, and hard-hitting.

Genres: Classics

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1766

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Sarah Scott (née Robinson) (21 September 1720 – 3 November 1795)[1] was an English novelist, translator, and social reformer. Her father, Matthew Robinson, and her mother, Elizabeth Robinson, were both from distinguished families, and Sarah was one of nine children who survived to adulthood. Although born in Yorkshire, Sarah and the other children spent a great deal of time in Cambridge, England and at Cambridge University.

Reviews

[Leanne Schwartz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idealistic, ameliorative vision of a good British society. Still buys into the paternalistic/good gentelman kind of society, but progressive for the time. I really enjoyed it.