Daniel Defoe (Cambridge Library Collection - English Men of Letters) - Softcover

Minto, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1108034713 ISBN 13: 9781108034715

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2011

Synopsis

Published in the first series of English Men of Letters in 1879, a time when a complete edition of Daniel Defoe's works was yet to be collated, this biograhical account by William Minto (1845–93) was a significant achievement in literary scholarship as well as an engaging portrait of a colourful and outspoken polemicist. Himself a journalist and essayist for the pioneering Pall Mall Gazette and the Daily News, Minto combines the critical insight of a literary scholar with the empathy and understanding of a fellow writer. Spanning the novelist's entire life (c. 1659–1731), from the passions of his youth to the publication of Robinson Crusoe, his 'later journalistic labours' and the impact of literary success, this biography tells how Defoe disproved the rule that the lives of men of letters are rarely eventful.

About this title

Book Description

Published in 1879, Minto's biography of Defoe (c. 1659-1731) represents an achievement in literary scholarship as well as a portrait of a colourful polemicist. Spanning Defoe's life from the passions of his youth to his 'later journalistic labours', this account upholds his image as an outspoken and influential writer.

About the Author

William Minto (born October 10, 1845, died March 1, 1893), a Scottish man of letters, was born at Auchintoul, Aberdeenshire. He was educated at the University of Aberdeen, and spent a year at Merton College, Oxford. He was assistant professor under Alexander Bain at Aberdeen for some years; from 1874 to 1878 he edited the Examiner, and in 1880 he was made full professor of logic and English at Aberdeen. In 1872 he published a Manual of English Prose Literature, which was distinguished by sound judgment and sympathetic appreciation; and his Characteristics of English Poets from Chaucer to Shirley (1874) showed the same high qualities. His other works include: The Literature of the Georgian Era (1894) edited with a biographical introduction by W Knight Logic: Inductive and Deductive (1893) a monograph on Defoe in the "English Men of Letters" series (1879) three novels of small importance numerous articles on literary subjects in the 9th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. He had two sons, William and Charles. The elder died during celebrations to mark the end of the First World War when a shell misfired.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1108034713
• ISBN 13: 9781108034715
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 184