Samuel Richardson English writer and typographer, recognized as the first novelist. Date of Birth: 19.08.1689 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Samuel Richardson
2. Early Life and Career
3. The Journey to Novel Writing
4. Legacy and Literary Contributions

Biography of Samuel Richardson

Samuel Richardson was an English writer and printer, widely recognized as the first novelist. He revolutionized the genre by using the epistolary technique, constructing the narrative through long and candid letters exchanged between the main characters. This allowed Richardson to delve into the secret world of their thoughts and emotions. Some of his notable works include "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded" (1740), "Clarissa, or The History of a Young Lady" (1747-1748), and "The History of Sir Charles Grandison" (1753-1754).

Early Life and Career

Samuel Richardson was born in early 1689 in Derbyshire, England. The exact place of his birth is unknown, but it is believed he received his education in a rural school. His father intended him for a career in the church, but financial difficulties made it impossible, and he gave his son a choice. Samuel went to London and decided to become an apprentice to a printer. After completing his apprenticeship, he established his own printing business in Salisbury Court, which eventually grew into one of the three largest printing houses in London.

The Journey to Novel Writing

By the time Richardson left his prosperous printing business to pursue what would now be considered his first English novel, he had already written just one book and participated in the preparation of a letter collection for "country readers" titled "Letters Written to and for Particular Friends." With the completion of his third significant novel, "The History of Sir Charles Grandison," he concluded the release of 19 substantial volumes in twelve sheets. Among these volumes was a two-volume continuation of "Pamela," written to establish his rights to the novel since John Kelly had released his own continuation called "Pamela's Conduct in High Life." Richardson was urged to write a fourth novel, but his health deteriorated, and his printing business demanded attention.

Legacy and Literary Contributions

Despite his declining health and professional obligations, Richardson prepared four issues of Daniel Defoe's "Tour thro' Great Britain" from 1739 until his death on July 4, 1761. He also compiled a volume of "Meditation of Clarissa" for subscription publication and prepared a collection of selected thoughts from his three novels. Richardson himself did not consider "Pamela" a work of fiction. The novel tells the story of a heroine who, at twelve years old, falls into servitude after her family becomes bankrupt. After the death of her mistress, Pamela catches the attention of her mistress's son, who sets traps to seduce her. Pamela rejects all of Mr. B's advances and is ultimately rewarded with marriage. Although Richardson unintentionally gave grounds to accuse the character of calculating behavior, his main goal was to create a protagonist torn between maintaining virtue and not losing the man she loved. The theme of the relationship between a servant and her master was too narrow, prompting Richardson to write "Clarissa" in the 1740s. The character of Clarissa, another "new woman," finds herself in a different life conflict. Cursed by her father for refusing an unacceptable marriage, she seeks help from Robert Lovelace. The libertine nobleman seduces her, drugging her, and the resolute Clarissa dies without forgiving him, despite their mutual attraction. Richardson himself remained just as steadfast when many of his friends pleaded with him to give Clarissa the refuge he had given Pamela, citing the prevalent belief that a repentant libertine makes the best husband. Richardson was the most popular novelist of his time, and the lively debates surrounding "Pamela" only increased the demand for the novel. Translations of his works into foreign languages appeared almost immediately, and Richardson's fame in Germany and France was extremely widespread. In England, his followers were inconspicuous until Jane Austen demonstrated how much she had learned from Richardson. In the 20th century, critics are leaning towards restoring Richardson's title as the best novelist of the 18th century.