János Barcsák, Márta Pellérdi

English literature 1660-1900


John Gay (1685-1732)

John Gay was a friend of the Tory writers, among them of Pope and Swift, and a member of the Scriblerus Club. Unlike his more illustrious friends, however, he had no political ambitions or any aspirations to cut a grand figure in the public sphere. Amiable, friendly and good-natured, he was also rather nonchalant in his ways and lived largely off the bounty of his friends and patrons. Gay was born in Devonshire and was educated at the local grammar school. After his secondary studies he moved to London as an apprentice to a silk merchant. Dissatisfied with this employment, however, he became the secretary of a minor author and theatre director, Aaron Hill. Soon he got acquainted with the leading literary figures of his time, befriending Alexander Pope who led him into the circle of Tory writers. Gay attempted to live by his pen, but although he achieved success as a writer he was always in need of supplementing his income and relied therefore on his friends’ help. In the period of the Tory ascendancy he lived largely on his friend’s gifts and on sinecures (nominal jobs with a regular pay but without actual duties) procured for him through the intercession of his friends, whereas in later years he enjoyed the patronage of his powerful friends and benefactors, William Pulteney and the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry.

English literature 1660-1900

Tartalomjegyzék


Kiadó: Akadémiai Kiadó

Online megjelenés éve: 2018

ISBN: 978 963 454 261 2

A history of the English literature is presented here, with a scope on the years 1660 to 1900. The book is written in three main parts; beginning with the Restoration Period of the 17th century, followed by the first, and second halves of the 18th century. Thus, a sequential development of literary genres is presented, with explorations of the key figures and texts which drove these. The book also synthesises the historical, cultural and sociological background which gave rise to this literature, and allows the reader to effectively contextualise these.

Hivatkozás: https://mersz.hu/barcsak-pellerdi-english-literature-1660-1900//

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