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Vathek, An Arabian Tale
''Vathek'' (alternatively titled ''Vathek, an Arabian Tale'' or ''The History of the Caliph Vathek'') is a Gothic novel written by William Beckford (novelist), William Beckford. It was composed in French beginning in 1782, and then translated into English by Reverend Samuel Henley in which form it was first published in 1786 without Beckford's name as ''An Arabian Tale, From an Unpublished Manuscript'', claiming to be translated directly from Arabic. The first French edition, titled simply as ''Vathek'', was published in December 1786 (postdated 1787). In the twentieth century some editions include ''The Episodes of Vathek'' (''Vathek et ses épisodes''), three related tales intended by Beckford to be so incorporated, but omitted from the original edition and published separately long after his death. Plot introduction ''Vathek'' capitalised on the eighteenth- (and early nineteenth-) century obsession with all things Oriental (see Orientalism), which was inspired by Antoine Gal ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Samuel Henley
Samuel Henley D.D. (1740 – 1815) was an English clergyman, school teacher and college principal, antiquarian, and man of letters. Life Born in England, he began his career when he was recruited as a professor of moral philosophy for the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, Williamsburg, Virginia. He arrived in 1770. Well-connected there, he became a friend of Thomas Jefferson, who acquired some of his library. He clashed though in public debate with Robert Carter Nicholas, Sr. and John Page (Virginia politician), John Page, and failed to become rector of Bruton Parish Church. In 1775 he went back to England, as a Loyalist (American Revolution), Loyalist taking leave from the college but never returning; he was a supporter of John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, Virginia's governor, and with his colleague Thomas Gwatkin had been subject to intimidation by armed men. He obtained an assistant-mastership at Harrow School, and soon afterwards received a curacy at Northall ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
