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Chapter 1 - Life

from Part I - Life and Career

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2024

By
Michael Griffin
Edited by
Michael Griffin  and
David O'Shaughnessy
Michael Griffin
Affiliation:
University of Limerick
David O'Shaughnessy
Affiliation:
University of Galway
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Summary

This chapter provides a brief and accessible account, not just of Goldsmith’s life and literary career, but also of the ways in which he was perceived by his contemporaries, often as intellectually lightweight and somewhat foolish. That perception is questioned here, as is the traditional biographical presentation of Goldsmith as long-suffering and put upon. He is presented here rather as a survivor and a literary success. The tradition of biographical writing is also briefly sketched.

Keywords

biographyliterary careerauthorship
Type
Chapter
Information
Oliver Goldsmith in Context , pp. 3 - 11
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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