Thackeray's Lectures On The English Humorists Of The Eighteenth Century

by William Makepeace Thackeray, Ernst Regel (Editor)

Thackeray's Lectures On The English Humorists Of The Eighteenth Century is a book written by William Makepeace Thackeray and published in 1885. The book is a collection of lectures that Thackeray gave on the subject of English humorists of the eighteenth century. The lectures explore the works of some of the most famous English humorists of the time, including Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, and Laurence Sterne. Thackeray provides insightful analysis of their works, discussing their unique styles and the social and political context in which they wrote. The book is a fascinating exploration of the history of English literature and the development of humor as an art form. Thackeray's Lectures On The English Humorists Of The Eighteenth Century is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of literature, the art of humor, or the works of these iconic writers.In Six Lectures.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Nonfiction

564 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1851

About the author

William Makepeace Thackeray was an English novelist, satirist, and journalist, best known for his keen social commentary and his novel Vanity Fair (1847–1848). His works often explored themes of ambition, hypocrisy, and the moral failings of British society, making him one of the most significant literary figures of the Victorian era.
Born in Calcutta, British India, he was sent to England for his education after his father’s death. He attended Charterhouse School, where he developed a distaste for the rigid school system, and later enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge. However, he left without earning a degree, instead traveling in Europe and pursuing artistic ambitions.
After losing much of his inheritance due to bad investments, Thackeray turned to writing for a living. He contributed satirical sketches, essays, and stories to periodicals such as Fraser’s Magazine and Punch, gradually building a reputation for his sharp wit and keen observational skills. His breakthrough came with Vanity Fair, a panoramic satire of English society that introduced the enduring character of Becky Sharp, a resourceful and amoral social climber.
Thackeray’s later novels, including Pendennis (1848–1850), The History of Henry Esmond (1852), and The Newcomes (1853–1855), continued to explore the lives of the English upper and middle classes, often focusing on the contrast between personal virtue and social ambition. His historical novel Henry Esmond was particularly praised for its detailed 18th-century setting and complex characterization.
In addition to his fiction, Thackeray was a noted public speaker and essayist, delivering lectures on the English humorists of the 18th century and on The Four Georges, a critical look at the British monarchy.
Despite his literary success, he lived with personal struggles, including the mental illness of his wife, Isabella, which deeply affected him. He remained devoted to his two daughters and was known for his kindness and generosity among his friends and colleagues.
His works remain widely read, appreciated for their incisive humor, rich characterizations, and unflinching critique of social pretensions.

Reviews

[Richard Epstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thackery is wrong about many things -- and I of course am qualified to say this, being ever so much more learned and experienced than Thackery was -- but he is always worth reading and never a bore.

[Stephen Burridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Public lectures delivered by Thackeray and subsequently published. This Everyman edition includes, besides the title lectures in the “English Humourists” series, a lecture on “ Charity and Humour”, which I found uninteresting, and lectures on “The Four Georges”, the first four British kings of the House of Hanover. I liked the six English Humourists lectures, which discuss eleven famous eighteenth century writers and one painter (Hogarth). Thackeray wrote a good historical novel (“Henry Esmond”) set in the reign of Queen Anne and must have been quite a student of the period. He gives broad impressions of the personalities of the writers and the character of their works, illustrated with anecdotes and quotations. He is judgmental in a Victorian way, but knowledgeable and interesting. The four lectures in the “The Four Georges” lack the interest of the literary subject matter of “The English Humourists”. They concentrate on the private lives and characters of the four monarchs, and the manners and morals of the aristocrats who surrounded them. Lots of scandalous anecdotes, presented with censorious Victorian commentary. All in all an interesting book, the best of it “The English Humourists”. Very Victorian.