Robert Bage (novelist)

Robert Bage (novelist)

Robert Bage (1728 - September 1, 1801), English novelist, born in Derbyshire, was the son of a paper-maker and was himself a papier. For a time he lived in Elford, Staffordshire. It was not until he was 53 that he took to literature; but in the 15 years following he produced six novels, of which Sir Walter Scott said that "strong mind, playful fancy, and extensive knowledge are everywhere apparent." Scott included "Mount Henneth" (1781), "Barham Downs" (1784), and "James Wallace"(1792) in his series of "Ballantyne novels."

Bage was brought up as a Quaker, but he became a philosophical and religious radical after the French Revolution. He advocated democracy and equality (the abolition of the peerage), as well as the abolition of institutional religion.

The work for which he is chiefly read today is "Hermsprong or Man as he is not", his last novel. Although regarded as radical at the time, the novel is somewhat disjointed. The first section of the novel is a wit novel with a strong philosophical content. However, it then turns to a sentimental novel form and follows a romance. The philosophical challenge of the novel is that it concerns an American who has been raised entirely by American Indians, without either formal education or religion. With only nature to teach him, he sees through the hypocrisy of society and English manners. It is notable for pursuing the theme of the noble savage and, in particular, "nativism." When the novel exchanges social satire for a love story, however, it loses any power to debunk educational and classist abuses.

Bibliography:

*"Mount Henneth" (1781)
*"Barham Downs" (1784)
*"The Fair Syrian" (1787)
*"James Wallace" (1788)
*"Man as he is" (1792)
*"Hermsprong or Man as he is not" (1796)

External links

* [http://www.search.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/engine/resource/default.asp?theme=8&originator=%2Fengine%2Fcustom%2Fpeople%2Easp&page=&records=&direction=&pointer=7&text=0&resource=4038 Biography on Revolutionary Players website]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Robert Bage — may refer to:* Robert Bage (novelist) (1728 1801), English novelist * Edward Frederick Robert Bage (1888 1915), Australian explorer and soldier …   Wikipedia

  • Bage — may refer to: * Bagé, a town in Brazil * Bages, a comarca (county) in Catalonia, Spain * Bâgé la Ville, a commune in the French département of AinBage is also the name of the following persons: * Robert Bage (1728 ndash; 1801), English novelist * …   Wikipedia

  • Bage, Robert — (1728 1801)    Novelist, b. in Derbyshire, was the s. of a paper maker. It was not until he was 53 that he took to literature; but in the 15 years following he produced 6 novels, of which Sir Walter Scott says that strong mind, playful fancy, and …   Short biographical dictionary of English literature

  • Лунное общество — Сохо Хаус в Бирмингеме, где регулярно собиралось Лунное общество Лунное общество (Лунное общество Бирмингема, англ. Lunar Society of Birmingham)  клуб и неофициальное учёное общество вид …   Википедия

  • 1801 in literature — The year 1801 in literature involved some significant events. Events*In recognition of the English attack on Copenhagen, Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger produces his first dramatic sketch.New books*Mary Charlton ndash; The Pirate of Naples *François… …   Wikipedia

  • 1728 in literature — The year 1728 in literature involved some significant events and new books.Events*The Universal Spectator and Weekly Journal are founded by Daniel Defoe and his son in law, Henry Baker *Jonathan Swift and Thomas Sheridan launch The Intelligencer… …   Wikipedia

  • English literature — Introduction       the body of written works produced in the English language by inhabitants of the British Isles (including Ireland) from the 7th century to the present day. The major literatures written in English outside the British Isles are… …   Universalium

  • novel — novel1 novellike, adj. /nov euhl/, n. 1. a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action and scenes. 2. (formerly) novella (def. 1). [1560 70; …   Universalium

  • Charles Brockden Brown — Born January 17, 1771(1771 01 17) Philadelphia, PA Died February 22, 1810(1810 02 22 …   Wikipedia

  • 1781 in literature — Events* The capitulation of General Cornwallis at the Siege of Yorktown. * Friedrich Schiller arrested after the first performance of his play, The Robbers New books* Anna Barbauld Hymns in Prose for Children * Robert Bage Mount Henneth * William …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”