Oliver Goldsmith: A Biography

Name: Oliver Goldsmith: A Biography
Author: Washington Irving

By Washington Irving

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About This Book

A concise biography chronicles the subject's rural upbringing and family background, schooling and university difficulties, failed ordination and episodic attempts at law, medicine, and tutoring, extended travels in Europe, and recurring financial insecurity. It portrays social life—clubs, conviviality, and friendships—alongside literary labour as a hack, sketching the creation and reception of his poems, essays, and sketches. Anecdotes illustrate resourcefulness, vanity about dress, and struggles to maintain appearances, while recurrent themes are artistic ambition, precarious livelihood, and the mixture of humor and melancholy that shaped his work.

About the Author

Washington Irving

Washington Irving (1783-1859) was an American author, essayist, and biographer, widely regarded as one of the first American writers to gain international acclaim. He is best known for his short stories, particularly "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle," which reflect his fascination with American folklore and history. Irving's works often blend humor and sentiment, showcasing his keen observations of early American life. In addition to his fiction, he wrote notable biographies, including a multi-volume life of George Washington. His literary contributions helped shape the American literary landscape in the early 19th century.