![Tobias Smollett as depicted on the Scott Monument](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Tobias_Smollett_as_depicted_on_the_Scott_Monument.JPG)
Tobias George Smollett (baptised 19 March 1721 – 17 September 1771) was a Scottish poet and author. He was best known for
picaresque novels such as ''
The Adventures of Roderick Random
''The Adventures of Roderick Random'' is a picaresque novel by Tobias Smollett, first published in 1748. It is partially based on Smollett's experience as a naval-surgeon's mate in the Royal Navy, especially during the Battle of Cartagena de Indi ...
'' (1748), ''
The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle'' (1751) and ''
The Expedition of Humphry Clinker
''The Expedition of Humphry Clinker'' was the last of the picaresque novels of Tobias Smollett, published in London on 17 June 1771 (three months before Smollett's death), and is considered by many to be his best and funniest work. It is an epist ...
'' (1771),
which influenced later novelists, including
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian e ...
. His novels were liberally altered by contemporary printers; an authoritative edition of each was edited by Dr O. M. Brack Jr and others.
Early life and family
Smollett was born at Dalquhurn, now part of
Renton in present-day
West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire ( sco, Wast Dunbairtonshire; gd, Siorrachd Dhùn Breatann an Iar, ) is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland. The area lies to the west of the City of Glasgow and contains many of Glasgow's commuter town ...
, Scotland, and baptised on 19 March 1721 (his birth date is estimated as 3 days previously).
He was the fourth son of Archibald Smollett of
Bonhill, a judge and landowner, laird of
Bonhill, living at Dalquhurn on the
River Leven, who died about 1726, when Smollett was just five years old. His mother Barbara Smollett née Cunningham brought the family up there, until she died about 1766. He had a brother, Captain James Smollett, and a sister, Jean Smollett, who married Alexander Telfair of Symington, Ayrshire. Jean succeeded to Bonhill after the death of her
cousin-german
Most generally, in the lineal kinship system used in the English-speaking world, a cousin is a type of Kinship, familial relationship in which two relatives are two or more familial generations away from their most recent common ancestor. Com ...
, Mr Commissary Smollett, and resumed her maiden name of Smollett in 1780. They lived in St John Street off Canongate, Edinburgh, and had a son who was in the military.
Education and career
Smollett attended Dumbarton Grammar School and then was educated at the
University of Glasgow
, image = UofG Coat of Arms.png
, image_size = 150px
, caption = Coat of arms
Flag
, latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis
, motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita
, ...
, where he studied medicine and eventually qualified as a surgeon.
Some biographers assert that he then proceeded to the
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in post-nominals) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted a royal charter by King James VI in 15 ...
, but left without earning a degree. Others state that his career in medicine came second to his literary ambitions at the age of 18,
and it was not until 1750, that Smollett was granted his
MD degree at the
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen ( sco, University o' 'Aiberdeen; abbreviated as ''Aberd.'' in List of post-nominal letters (United Kingdom), post-nominals; gd, Oilthigh Obar Dheathain) is a public university, public research university in Aberdeen, Sc ...
.
In 1739 he went to
London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
having written a play ''The Regicide'', about the murder of
King James I of Scotland. Unsuccessful at getting this on stage, he obtained a commission as a
naval surgeon on and travelled to
Jamaica
Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...
, where he settled down for several years. In 1742 he served as a surgeon during the disastrous campaign to
capture Cartagena. These experiences were later included in the narrative of his novels.
He married a wealthy Jamaican heiress, Anne "Nancy" Lascelles (1721–1791). She was a daughter of William Lascelles, but was unable to access her inheritance as it was invested in land and slaves. On their return to Britain, at the end of his Navy commission, Smollett established a practice in
Downing Street but his wife did not join him until 1747;
they had a daughter Elizabeth, who died aged 15 years about 1762. His two native languages were
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
and
Scots. He translated famous works of the
Enlightenment
Enlightenment or enlighten may refer to:
Age of Enlightenment
* Age of Enlightenment, period in Western intellectual history from the late 17th to late 18th century, centered in France but also encompassing (alphabetically by country or culture): ...
from other European languages.
Written works
Smollett's first published work in 1746,
was a poem about the
Battle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden (; gd, Blàr Chùil Lodair) was the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745. On 16 April 1746, the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart was decisively defeated by a British government force under Prince Wi ...
entitled "''The Tears of Scotland''",
but it was ''
The Adventures of Roderick Random
''The Adventures of Roderick Random'' is a picaresque novel by Tobias Smollett, first published in 1748. It is partially based on Smollett's experience as a naval-surgeon's mate in the Royal Navy, especially during the Battle of Cartagena de Indi ...
'', a semi-autobiogaphical story of a 'north Britain on the make'
which made his name. His poetry was described as "delicate, sweet and murmurs as a stream". ''The Adventures of Roderick Random'' was modelled on
Le Sage's ''
Gil Blas'' and despite its scandalous content covering 'snobbery, prostitution, debt and hinting at homosexuality', it was published
in 1748. After that, Smollett finally had his
tragedy
Tragedy (from the grc-gre, τραγῳδία, ''tragōidia'', ''tragōidia'') is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy ...
''The Regicide'' published, although it was never performed.
In 1750, he travelled to
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
, where he obtained material for his second novel, ''
The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle'', another success. Having lived for a brief time in
Bath
Bath may refer to:
* Bathing, immersion in a fluid
** Bathtub, a large open container for water, in which a person may wash their body
** Public bathing, a public place where people bathe
* Thermae, ancient Roman public bathing facilities
Plac ...
, he returned to London and published ''
The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom
''The Adventures of Ferdinand, Count Fathom'' is a novel by Tobias Smollett first published in 1753. It was Smollett's third novel and met with less success than his two previous more picaresque tales. The central character is a villainous dand ...
'' in 1753, but this did not sell well and he went into debt. His novels were published by the well-known London bookseller
Andrew Millar
Andrew Millar (17058 June 1768) was a British publisher in the eighteenth century.
Biography
In 1725, as a twenty-year-old bookseller apprentice, he evaded Edinburgh city printing restrictions by going to Leith to print, which was considered be ...
. Smollett became considered as a 'man of letters'
and associated with such figures as
David Garrick
David Garrick (19 February 1717 – 20 January 1779) was an English actor, playwright, theatre manager and producer who influenced nearly all aspects of European theatrical practice throughout the 18th century, and was a pupil and friend of Sa ...
,
Laurence Sterne,
Oliver Goldsmith
Oliver Goldsmith (10 November 1728 – 4 April 1774) was an Anglo-Irish novelist, playwright, dramatist and poet, who is best known for his novel ''The Vicar of Wakefield'' (1766), his pastoral poem ''The Deserted Village'' (1770), and his pl ...
,
and
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 – 13 December 1784), often called Dr Johnson, was an English writer who made lasting contributions as a poet, playwright, essayist, moralist, critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer. The ''Oxford ...
,
whom he famously nicknamed "that Great
Cham of literature".
In 1755 he published an English translation of
Miguel de Cervantes' novel ''
Don Quixote'', which he revised in 1761. In 1756, he became briefly editor of the 58-volume ''
Universal History
A universal history is a work aiming at the presentation of a history of all of mankind as a whole, coherent unit. A universal chronicle or world chronicle typically traces history from the beginning of written information about the past up to t ...
,'' and editor of ''
The Critical Review
''The Critical Review'' was a British publication appearing from 1756 to 1817. It was first edited by Tobias Smollett, from 1756 to 1763. Contributors included Samuel Johnson, David Hume, John Hunter, and Oliver Goldsmith.
Early years
The Ed ...
,'' from which later he had a successful
libel
Defamation is the act of communicating to a third party false statements about a person, place or thing that results in damage to its reputation. It can be spoken (slander) or written (libel). It constitutes a tort or a crime. The legal defini ...
case brought against him by Admiral
Sir Charles Knowles, and a three-month prison sentence, and fine of
£100.
![Tobias Smollet (Nathaniel Dance-Holland)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Tobias_Smollet_%28Nathaniel_Dance-Holland%29.jpg)
Smollett then began what he regarded as his major work, ''A Complete History of England'' (1757–1765) which helped recoup his finances,
along with profits from his only performed play, a farce, ''The Reprisal of the Tars of Old England.'' After his imprisonment, he used the experience in producing another novel, ''
The Life and Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves'' (1760).
In 1763, Smollett was ill, perhaps with tuberculosis, and suffered the loss of his only child at the age of 15. He gave up his editorships and, with his wife Nancy, went to Europe, which led to the publication of ''
Travels Through France and Italy
''Travels Through France and Italy'' is travel literature by Tobias Smollett published in 1766.
After suffering the loss of his only child, 15-year-old Elizabeth, in April 1763, Smollett left England in June of that year. Together with his wife, ...
'' (1766).
He also published ''
The History and Adventures of an Atom
''The History and Adventures of an Atom'' is a novel by Tobias Smollett, first published in 1769. The novel satirises English politics during the Seven Years' War.
Summary
The novel is an it-narrative, narrated by an atom in the body of a Lon ...
'' (1769), which gave his opinion of
British politics during the Seven Years' War in the guise of a tale from ancient Japan. In 1768, the year he moved to Italy, Smollett entrusted
Robert Cunninghame Graham of Gartmore
Robert Graham (1735 – 11 December 1797), who took the name Bontine in 1770 and Cunninghame Graham in 1796, was a Scottish politician and poet.[The Expedition of Humphry Clinker
''The Expedition of Humphry Clinker'' was the last of the picaresque novels of Tobias Smollett, published in London on 17 June 1771 (three months before Smollett's death), and is considered by many to be his best and funniest work. It is an epist ...]
'' (1771), published in the year of his death. He had for some time been suffering from an intestinal disorder. Having sought a cure at Bath, he retired to Italy, where he died in September 1771 and was buried in the
Old English Cemetery, Livorno
The Old English Cemetery is a cemetery in Livorno (Leghorn), central Italy, located on a plot of land near the Via Verdi, close to the Waldensian Church and to the formerly Anglican church of St. George. It is the oldest Protestant cemetery in I ...
.
Monuments
There is a monument to his memory beside Renton Primary School,
Dunbartonshire, Scotland, on which there is a Latin inscription. The area around the monument was improved in 2002, with an explanatory plaque. After his death in Italy in 1771, his cousin Jane Smollett had the Renton monument built in 1774. It comprises a tall
Tuscan column topped by an urn. On the plinth is a Latin inscription written by Professor
George Stuart of Edinburgh,
John Ramsay of Ochtertyre
John Ramsay of Ochtertyre FRSE FSAScot (1736–1814) was a Scottish writer and antiquarian. A renowned letter-writer even in his own lifetime, most of his extensive correspondence has since been lost. His home in Stirlingshire is near Blair Drummo ...
and
Dr Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 – 13 December 1784), often called Dr Johnson, was an English writer who made lasting contributions as a poet, playwright, essayist, moralist, critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer. The ''Oxford D ...
. It is a
category A listed building.
![Smollett Monument, Renton](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Smollett_Monument%2C_Renton.jpg)
There is also a plaque at his temporary residence in
Edinburgh
Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...
, just off the
Royal Mile
The Royal Mile () is a succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. The term was first used descriptively in W. M. Gilbert's ''Edinburgh in the Nineteenth Century'' (1901), des ...
at the head of St John's Street, where his wife lived after his death until at least 1785. This states that he resided there in the house of his sister, Mrs. Telfer, for the summer of 1766. A second plaque (dating the building at 1758, making it relatively new at that time) states that he "stayed here occasionally," implying more than one visit.
Smollett is one of the 16 Scottish writers and poets depicted on the lower section of the
Scott Monument in
Princes Street
Princes Street ( gd, Sràid nam Prionnsan) is one of the major thoroughfares in central Edinburgh, Scotland and the main shopping street in the capital. It is the southernmost street of Edinburgh's New Town, stretching around 1.2 km (three ...
, Edinburgh. He appears on the far left side of the east face.
There are streets named after him in
Nice
Nice ( , ; Niçard: , classical norm, or , nonstandard, ; it, Nizza ; lij, Nissa; grc, Νίκαια; la, Nicaea) is the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes department in France. The Nice agglomeration extends far beyond the administrative c ...
, France and in Livorno, Italy, where he is buried.
References in literature
Laurence Sterne, in his ''
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy'', refers to Smollett under the nickname of ''Smelfungus'', due to the snarling abuse Smollett heaped on the institutions and customs of the countries he visited and described in his ''
Travels Through France and Italy
''Travels Through France and Italy'' is travel literature by Tobias Smollett published in 1766.
After suffering the loss of his only child, 15-year-old Elizabeth, in April 1763, Smollett left England in June of that year. Together with his wife, ...
''.
Mr Brooke in
George Eliot's ''
Middlemarch'' says to Mr Casaubon: "Or get Dorothea to read you light things, Smollett – ''Roderick Random,'' ''Humphry Clinker''. They are a little broad, but she may read anything now she's married, you know. I remember they made me laugh uncommonly – there's a droll bit about a postillion's breeches."
In
W. M. Thackeray
William Makepeace Thackeray (; 18 July 1811 – 24 December 1863) was a British novelist, author and illustrator. He is known for his satirical works, particularly his 1848 novel '' Vanity Fair'', a panoramic portrait of British society, and ...
's novel ''
Vanity Fair'', Rebecca Sharp and Miss Rose Crawley read ''Humphry Clinker'': "Once, when Mr. Crawley asked what the young people were reading, the governess replied 'Smollett'. 'Oh, Smollett,' said Mr. Crawley, quite satisfied. 'His history is more dull, but by no means so dangerous as
that of Mr. Hume. It is history you are reading?' 'Yes,' said Miss Rose; without, however, adding that it was the history of Mr. Humphry Clinker."
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian e ...
's ''
David Copperfield'' mentions that his young protagonist counted Smollett's works among his favourites as a child.
John Bellairs referenced Smollett's works in his ''Johnny Dixon'' series, where Professor Roderick Random Childermass reveals that his late father Marcus, an English professor, had named all his sons after characters in Smollett's works: Roderick Random, Peregrine Pickle, Humphry Clinker, and even "Ferdinand Count Fathom", who usually signed his name F. C. F. Childermass.
George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950), better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. His work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to totalitar ...
praised him as "Scotland's best novelist".
In
Hugh Walpole's fifth novel ''Fortitude'', the protagonist Peter refers to ''Peregrine Pickle'' as a text that inspired him to document his own memoirs.
Bibliography
Poetry
*1746: ''Advice''
[Cox, Michael, editor, ''The Concise Oxford Chronology of English Literature'', Oxford University Press, 2004, ]
*1747: ''Reproof: A satire'', a sequel to ''Advice''
[
]
Minor poems
*"The Tears of Scotland"
*"The Verses on a young lady playing on a harpsichord and singing"
*"Love Elegy"
Odes
*"Burlesque"
*"Mirth"
*"Sleep"
*"Leven Water"
*"Blue-Eyed Ann"
*"Independence"
Translations
*1748: ''The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane'', published anonymously (dated, incorrectly, "1749"), translated from the original '' L'Histoire de Gil Blas de Santillane'' by Alain-René Le Sage[
*1755: ''The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote'', translated from the original Spanish of Miguel de Cervantes.][ Vol. 1:. Vol. 2:.]
*1761–1765: ''The Works of Voltaire'', English translation of Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 169430 May 1778) was a French Age of Enlightenment, Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. Known by his ''Pen name, nom de plume'' M. de Voltaire (; also ; ), he was famous for his wit, and his ...
in 35 volumes, which Smollett edited with Thomas Francklin
Thomas Francklin (1721 – 15 March 1784) was an English academic, clergyman, writer and dramatist
Life
Francklin was the son of Richard Francklin, bookseller near the Piazza in Covent Garden, London, who printed William Pulteney's paper ''The ...
[Kenneth Simpson, ''Smollett, Tobias George (1721–1771)']
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, September 2004; online ed. January 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2009, pay-walled
Novels
*1748: ''The Adventures of Roderick Random
''The Adventures of Roderick Random'' is a picaresque novel by Tobias Smollett, first published in 1748. It is partially based on Smollett's experience as a naval-surgeon's mate in the Royal Navy, especially during the Battle of Cartagena de Indi ...
'', published anonymously[
*1751: '' The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle'', published anonymously][
*1753: '']The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom
''The Adventures of Ferdinand, Count Fathom'' is a novel by Tobias Smollett first published in 1753. It was Smollett's third novel and met with less success than his two previous more picaresque tales. The central character is a villainous dand ...
''[
*1762: '' The Life and Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves'', first book edition, originally serialised in ''The British Magazine'', January 1760 – December 1761 (see below)][
*1769: '']The History and Adventures of an Atom
''The History and Adventures of an Atom'' is a novel by Tobias Smollett, first published in 1769. The novel satirises English politics during the Seven Years' War.
Summary
The novel is an it-narrative, narrated by an atom in the body of a Lon ...
''[
*1771: '']The Expedition of Humphry Clinker
''The Expedition of Humphry Clinker'' was the last of the picaresque novels of Tobias Smollett, published in London on 17 June 1771 (three months before Smollett's death), and is considered by many to be his best and funniest work. It is an epist ...
''[
]
Plays
*1749: ''The Regicide; or, James the First, of Scotland: A tragedy'' (play)[
*1757: ''The Reprisal; or, The Tars of Old England: A comedy'', anonymously published; a play performed on 22 January][
]
Non-fiction
*1756: ''A Compendium of Authentic and Entertaining Voyages'', published anonymously[
*1757–1758: ''A Complete History of England'' by David Hume, in four volumes, with Smollett adding his own ]
Continuation of the History of England
' from the Reign of William and Mary to the Death of George II, published 1760–65, as an additional volume[
*1766: '']Travels through France and Italy
''Travels Through France and Italy'' is travel literature by Tobias Smollett published in 1766.
After suffering the loss of his only child, 15-year-old Elizabeth, in April 1763, Smollett left England in June of that year. Together with his wife, ...
''[
*1768–1769: ''The Present State of all Nations'', in eight volumes][
*The Narrative of the Base and Inhuman Arts that were Lately Practised upon the Brain of Habbakkuk Hilding
*The Expedition against Carthagena
*The Dying Prediction
*Commentary on a Philosophical Dictionary, (10 volumes)
]
Periodicals
*1756: Editor and co-writer, ''The Critical Review; or, Annals of Literature'', a periodical published semi-annually until 1790[
*Date unknown: Editor, ''Universal History'']
*1760: ''The British Magazine'', a periodical published in eight volumes; Volumes 1 and 2 include the first publication of ''Launcelot Greaves'' (see below)[
]
Radio
''The Expedition of Humphry Clinker'' was adapted for radio in three one-hour episodes in August 2008. It was dramatised by Yvonne Antrobus
Yvonne Daphne Antrobus (born 1 November 1940) is a British novelist, abridger, radio dramatist, and actress.
Writing
She has made over 100 abridgments and dramatisations for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4 and for independent audio publishers ...
and starred Stuart McLoughlin
Stuart McLoughlin (born 1980 in Bristol) is a British actor. He is notable for his appearance in the title role in 2008's '' Clone''. His other TV appearances include 2008's ''Little Dorrit
''Little Dorrit'' is a novel by Charles Dickens, o ...
as Clinker and Nigel Anthony as Matthew Bramble.
See also
* Physician writer
*Old English Cemetery, Livorno
The Old English Cemetery is a cemetery in Livorno (Leghorn), central Italy, located on a plot of land near the Via Verdi, close to the Waldensian Church and to the formerly Anglican church of St. George. It is the oldest Protestant cemetery in I ...
References
*Lewis, Jeremy (Cape, 2003) ''Tobias Smollett''
*George Rousseau
George Sebastian Rousseau (born February 23, 1941) is an American cultural historian resident in the United Kingdom.
Early life and education
George Rousseau was educated at Amherst College and Princeton University, where he obtained his docto ...
(1982). ''Tobias Smollett: Essays of Two Decades'' (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark)
*George Rousseau
George Sebastian Rousseau (born February 23, 1941) is an American cultural historian resident in the United Kingdom.
Early life and education
George Rousseau was educated at Amherst College and Princeton University, where he obtained his docto ...
(2004). ''Nervous Acts: Essays on Literature, Culture and Sensibility.'' Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. (Paperback) (Hardcover)
External links
Tobias Smollett
at th
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive (ECPA)
*
*
*
Online editions of his works
Smollett Monument, including translation of the inscription
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smollett, Tobias
1721 births
1771 deaths
18th-century deaths from tuberculosis
People from West Dunbartonshire
Tuberculosis deaths in Italy
Spanish–English translators
Maritime writers
18th-century Scottish writers
18th-century Scottish novelists
Scottish translators
18th-century British poets
Scottish poets
18th-century Scottish medical doctors
Scottish surgeons
Alumni of the University of Glasgow
Alumni of the University of Edinburgh
British expatriates in Jamaica
British medical writers
18th-century Scottish historians
Historians of England
Scottish travel writers
Scottish political writers
People of the Scottish Enlightenment
Royal Navy Medical Service officers
Infectious disease deaths in Tuscany
18th-century British translators