
Dryden
George Saintsbury(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 3. November 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
206 pages
978-1-108-03461-6 (ISBN)
Description
John Dryden (1631-1700) was an English poet and playwright, whose works led to the English Restoration period becoming known as 'The Age of Dryden'. Published in 1881 in the first series of English Men of Letters, this biography by George Saintsbury (1845-1933), author and critic, sets Dryden's work against the literary landscape of its time, arguing that he reformed English literature, and exploring how he did so, the nature of the reform, and Dryden's contribution to literary history. He shows Dryden to have been a man without moral, political or intellectual agendas who, while not achieving perfection, created works free of elitism and which therefore had far wider relevance to the ordinary man than those of his predecessors. This leads Saintsbury to conclude that while Dryden was no extraordinary genius, he deserves to be considered the greatest craftsman in English letters.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
298 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-108-03461-6 (9781108034616)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
George Saintsbury was a prominent British literary critic, historian, and scholar, born in 1845 and active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for his extensive writings on English literature, particularly his critical analyses of the English novel. Saintsbury's works are characterized by their insightful commentary and thorough examination of literary history.
One of his most notable contributions is ""The English Novel,"" where he traces the evolution of the novel from its origins to the early 20th century, highlighting key authors and movements. He emphasizes the interplay between literature and society, reflecting on how novels mirror the cultural and social dynamics of their times. In addition to his work on the novel, Saintsbury wrote about poetry, drama, and other forms of literature, establishing himself as a respected authority in literary criticism. His style is marked by clarity and eloquence, making complex ideas accessible to a broad audience.
Content
Prefatory note; 1. Before the Restoration; 2. Early literary work; 3. Period of dramatic activity; 4. Satirical and didactic poems; 5. Life from 1680 to 1688; 6. Later dramas and prose works; 7. Period of translation; 8. The Fables; 9. Conclusion.