Samuel Richardson

Samuel Richardson (1689-1761) is a renowned English writer and what is known as the father of the novel. He wrote two of the most acclaimed and influential novels of the the eighteenth century: Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded and Clarissa; or, The History of a Young Lady. The success of these works, along with a number of other books, have made Samuel Richardson one of the most celebrated early English novelists.

Richardson was born on August 19, 1689 in Derbyshire, England and raised in a Quaker family. His father died when he was a young boy, leaving the family financially destitute. Despite the difficult circumstances, Richardson was able to receive an education, thanks in part to the interventions of several admirers. This enabled him to enter the printing trade, which was then considered a respectable career.

Though Richardson's apprenticeship began in 1706, he did not actually practice the trade itself until 1712. During this time, he was able to learn the various aspects of the printing business, including editing and publishing. For the rest of his life, he combined his occupation as a printer with his passion for writing.

Richardson's first book, The Apprentice's Vade Mecum, was published in 1739 and was a resounding success. The book detailed the duties of apprentices and their masters and provided much-needed advice and instruction. This success led Richardson to write a number of other works in the same style, including Grandison and Emma. During this time, Richardson also wrote his first novel, Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded, which was published in 1741.

Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded tells the story of a young servant girl who is engaged in a desperate struggle against the advances of her master. Through her courage and virtue, Pamela manages to earn the respect of her oppressor and ultimately triumphs over him. The novel was a huge success and was often seen as a moral handbook. This success was furthered by the release of Richardson's second novel, Clarissa; or, The History of a Young Lady in 1748. This work was even longer and more ambitious than Pamela, and featured a more complex array of characters and situations.

Despite his age and long hours at his printing business, Richardson continued to be a prolific novelist. His third novel, Sir Charles Grandison, was published in 1753, followed by The History of Sir Charles Grandison in 1754. He also wrote a four-volume series of Letters from a Lady of Quality to A Young Man of Honour; or, Mere Nature Displayed and a three-volume work entitled A Collection of Novels and Romances.

Richardson's work stands as a monument of the early novel. His pioneering use of the epistolary style and his exploration of the moral quandaries of his characters combined to create works that were greater than the sum of their parts. His novels were a source of great inspiration to many writers after him, including Jane Austen. Richardson's legacy is also apparent in the many booksellers who went on to specialize in the novel, and in the formation of a publishing industry entirely dedicated to the genre.

Samuel Richardson is undoubtedly one of the most famous and influential English novelists of his time. His works were a forerunner of the modern English novel, and his influence on subsequent authors is undeniable. His works have stood the test of time, and have earned him the title of the “Father of the Novel”.