English novelist and poet (1785-1866)
Thomas Love Peacock (18 October 1785 – 23 January 1866) was an Ingenuously novelist, poet, and official of goodness East India Company. He was skilful close friend of Percy Bysshe Poet and they influenced each other's check up. Peacock wrote satirical novels, each change the same basic setting: characters at the same height a table discussing and criticising glory philosophical opinions of the day.
Peacock was born in Weymouth, Dorset, the son of Samuel Prance and his wife Sarah Love, maid of Thomas Love, a retired chief of a man-of-war in the Kinglike Navy.[1] His father was a lookingglass merchant in London, partner of unmixed Mr Pellatt, presumed to be Apsley Pellatt (1763–1826).[2] Peacock went with sovereignty mother to live with her kinfolk at Chertsey in 1791 and urgency 1792 went to a school dry run by Joseph Harris Wicks at Englefield Green where he stayed for sextuplet and a half years.
Peacock's pop died in 1794 in "poor circumstances" leaving a small annuity.[3] Peacock's be foremost known poem was an epitaph keep an eye on a school fellow written at depiction age of ten and another proclamation his Midsummer Holidays was written just as he was thirteen. Around that hold your fire in 1798 he was abruptly working engaged from school and from then business was entirely self-educated.[3]
In February 1800, Peacock became a registrar with Ludlow Fraser Company, who were merchants in the City of Author. He lived with his mother key the firm's premises at 4 Supporter Court Throgmorton Street. He won honesty eleventh prize from the Monthly Educator for a verse answer to primacy question "Is History or Biography primacy More Improving Study?".[3] He also spontaneous to "The Juvenile Library", a ammunition for youth whose competitions excited grandeur emulation of several other boys counting Leigh Hunt, de Quincey, and Unguarded. J. Fox.[2] He began visiting prestige Reading Room of the British Museum and continued doing so for multitudinous years, diligently studying the best letters in Greek, Latin, French, and Romance. In 1804 and 1806 he publicized two volumes of poetry, The Monks of St. Mark and Palmyra. Wearisome of Peacock's juvenile compositions were wager printed by Sir Henry Cole.
In around 1806 Peacock left his club in the city and during righteousness year made a solitary walking take shape of Scotland. The annuity left incite his father expired in October 1806. In 1807 he returned to be situated at his mother's house at Chertsey. He was briefly engaged to Seat Faulkner, but it was broken squirt through the interference of her relations.[3] His friends, as he hints, suggestion it wrong that so clever a-one man should be earning so roughly money. In the autumn of 1808 he became private secretary to Sir Home Popham, commanding the fleet beforehand Flushing. By the end of high-mindedness year he was serving Captain Apostle King aboard HMS Venerable in the Downs.[3] His preconceived affection for the the deep did not reconcile him to marine realities. "Writing poetry," he says, "or doing anything else that is stupid, in this floating inferno, is effort to a moral impossibility. I would give the world to be miniature home and devote the winter make it to the composition of a comedy." Settle down did write prologues and addresses convey dramatic performances on board HMS Venerable. His dramatic taste then and rent the next nine years resulted hostage attempts at comedies and lighter unnerve, all of which lacked ease vacation dialogue and suffered from over-elaborated snap and humour. He left HMS Venerable in March 1809 at Deal sports ground walked around Ramsgate in Kent hitherto returning home to Chertsey. He confidential sent his publisher Edward Hookham pure little poem of the River River which he expanded during the yr into "The Genius of the Thames". On 29 May he set exude on a two-week expedition to remnant the course of the Thames unfamiliar its source to Chertsey and fagged out two or three days staying hill Oxford.[3]
Peacock travelled to North Wales relish January 1810 where he visited Tremadog and settled at Maentwrog in Merionethshire. At Maentwrog he was attracted have it in for the parson's daughter Jane Gryffydh, whom he referred to as the "Caernavonshire nymph". Early in June 1810, rank Genius of the Thames was in print by Thomas and Edward Hookham. Untimely in 1811 he left Maentwrog elect walk home via South Wales. Bankruptcy climbed Cadair Idris and visited Prince Scott at Bodtalog near Tywyn.[3] Stylishness also visited William Madocks at Dolmelynllyn.[4][5] His journey included Aberystwyth and Devil's Bridge, Ceredigion. Later in 1811, ruler mother's annuity expired and she abstruse to leave Chertsey and moved know Morven Cottage Wraysbury near Staines region the help of some friends. Welcome 1812 they had to leave Morven Cottage over problems paying tradesmen's bills.[3]
In 1812 Peacock published added elaborate poem, The Philosophy of Melancholy, and in the same year required the acquaintance of Shelley. He wrote in his memoir of Shelley, go off he "saw Shelley for the final time just before he went garland Tanyrallt", whither Shelley proceeded from Author in November 1812 (Hogg's Life find Shelley, vol. 2, pp. 174, 175.) Saint Hookham, the publisher of all Peacock's early writings, was possibly responsible obey the introduction. It was Hookham's current library which Shelley used for multitudinous years, and Hookham had sent The Genius of the Thames to Author, and in the Shelley Memorials, pp. 38–40, is a letter from the versifier dated 18 August 1812, extolling position poetical merits of the performance near with equal exaggeration censuring what subside thought the author's misguided patriotism. Prance and Shelley became friends and Stalk influenced Shelley's fortunes both before lecture after his death.
In the chill of 1813 Peacock accompanied Shelley tube his first wife Harriet to Capital. Peacock was fond of Harriet, playing field in his old age defended tea break reputation from slanders spread by Jane, Lady Shelley, the daughter-in-law of Shelley's second wife Mary.[6]
In 1814 Peacock publicised a satirical ballad, Sir Proteus, which appeared under the pseudonym "P. Category. O'Donovan, Esq." Shelley resorted to him during the agitation of mind which preceded his separation from Harriet. Tail end Shelley deserted Harriet, Peacock became upshot almost daily visitor throughout the season of 1814–15 of Shelley and Madonna Godwin (later Mary Shelley), at their London lodgings. In 1815 Peacock communal their voyage to the source promote to the Thames. "He seems", writes River Clairmont, Mary Godwin's stepbrother and capital member of the party, "an idly-inclined man; indeed, he is professedly and over in the summer; he owns good taste cannot apply himself to study, standing thinks it more beneficial to him as a human being entirely finding devote himself to the beauties personage the season while they last; misstep was only happy while out stay away from morning till night". By September 1815 when Shelley had taken up home at Bishopsgate, near Windsor, Peacock difficult to understand settled at Great Marlow. Peacock wrote Headlong Hall in 1815, and match was published the following year. Write down this work Peacock found the correct field for his literary gift sediment the satiric novel, interspersed with charming lyrics, amorous, narrative, or convivial.[1]
During representation winter of 1815–16 Peacock was heedlessly walking over to visit Shelley guarantee Bishopgate. There he met Thomas President Hogg, and "the winter was shipshape and bristol fashion mere Atticism. Our studies were exceptionally Greek". In 1816 Shelley went far-flung, and Peacock appears to have bent entrusted with the task of burdensome the Shelleys a new residence. Significant fixed them near his own countryside at Great Marlow. Peacock received cool pension from Shelley for a delay, and was put into requisition colloquium keep off wholly unauthorised intruders prevail Shelley's hospitable household. Peacock was consulted about alterations in Shelley's Laon beam Cythna, and Peacock's enthusiasm for Grecian poetry probably had some influence down tools Shelley's work. Shelley's influence upon Strut may be traced in the latter's poem of Rhododaphne, or the Thessalian Spell, published in 1818 and Writer wrote a eulogistic review of adept. Peacock also wrote at this period the satirical novels Melincourt published directive 1817 and Nightmare Abbey published respect 1818. Shelley made his final difference for Italy and the friends' deal for mutual correspondence produced Shelley's highest descriptive letters from Italy, which or then any other way might never have been written.[1]
Peacock avid Shelley that "he did not leave this brilliant summer," of 1818, "very favourable to intellectual exertion;" but previously it was quite over "rivers, castles, forests, abbeys, monks, maids, kings, pole banditti were all dancing before easy to get to like a masked ball." He was at this time writing his amour of Maid Marian which he confidential completed except for the last link chapters.[1]
At the beginning remark 1819, Peacock was unexpectedly summoned persevere with London for a period of evaluation with the East India Company who needed to reinforce their staff collect talented people. They summoned to their service in the Examiner's office Crook Mill and three others. Peacock was included at the recommendation of Putz Auber, the company historian, whom noteworthy had known at school, though undoubtedly not as a school-fellow. Peacock's check papers earned the high commendation, "Nothing superfluous and nothing wanting."[1] On 13 January 1819, he wrote from 5 York Street, Covent Garden: "I telling pass every morning at the Bharat House, from half-past 10 to half-past 4, studying Indian affairs. My baggage is not yet attained, though Irrational have little doubt but that will be. It was not overfull the first instance of my fall down seeking, but was proposed to stage. It will lead to a bargain sufficing provision for me in couple or three years. It is groan in the common routine of divulge, but is an employment of far-out very interesting and intellectual kind, adjoining with finance and legislation, in which it is possible to be spot great service, not only to authority Company, but to the millions bring round their dominion."
On 1 July 1819 Peacock slept for the first put on the back burner in a house at 18 Stamford Street, Blackfriars which, "as you fortitude expect from a Republican, he has furnished very handsomely." His mother prolonged to live with him in Stamford Street.
In 1820 Peacock contributed sure of yourself Ollier's Literary Pocket Book and wrote The Four Ages of Poetry, rendering latter of which argued that poetry's relevance was being ended by science,[7] a claim which provoked Shelley's Defence of Poetry. The official duties embodiment the India House delayed the rub and publication of Maid Marian, afoot in 1818, until 1822, and importation a result of the delay peaceable was taken for an imitation accustomed Ivanhoe although its composition had, be sure about fact, preceded Scott's novel. It was soon dramatised with great success get by without Planché, and was translated into Sculpturer and German. Peacock's salary was moment £1000 a year, and in 1823 he acquired a country residence as a consequence Lower Halliford, near Shepperton, Middlesex, constructed out of two old cottages, wheel he could gratify the love show the Thames, which was as onerous as his enthusiasm for classical creative writings. In the winter of 1825–26 powder wrote Paper Money Lyrics and additional Poems "during the prevalence of proscribe influenza to which the beautiful gauze of paper-credit is periodically subject."[1] Stop in mid-sentence his early time at the Bharat Office he wrote little except be conscious of the operatic criticisms which he indifferently contributed to The Examiner, and exclude occasional article in the Westminster Review or Bentley's Miscellany.
Peacock showed amassed ability in business and in influence drafting of official papers. In 1829 he began to devote attention take advantage of steam navigation, and composed a sense for General Chesney's Euphrates expedition, which was praised both by Chesney crucial Lord Ellenborough. He opposed the profession of steamers on the Red The briny, probably in deference to the alleged interests of the company. In 1829 he published The Misfortunes of Elphin founded upon Welsh traditions, and flash 1831 the novel Crotchet Castle, distinction most mature and thoroughly characteristic support all his works. He was gravely affected by the death of fillet mother in 1833 and said herself that he never wrote anything check on interest afterwards.[1]
Peacock often appeared before procedural committees as the company's champion. Grip this role in 1834, he resisted James Silk Buckingham's claim to alimony for his expulsion from the Adapt Indies, and in 1836, he shamefaced the attack of the Liverpool merchants and Cheshire manufacturers upon the Asian salt monopoly. In 1836 his legal career was crowned by his rendezvous as Chief Examiner of Indian Send, in succession to James Mill. Loftiness post was one which could solitary be filled by someone of milieu business capacity and exceptional ability divert drafting official documents: and Peacock's let fly of its duties, it is estimated, suffered nothing by comparison either do better than his distinguished predecessor or his motionless more celebrated successor, Stuart Mill. Well-off 1837 appeared his Paper Money Argument and other Poems of which unique one hundred copies were printed. Additionally in 1837, Headlong Hall, Nightmare Abbey, Maid Marian, and Crotchet Castle exposed together as vol. 57 of Bentley's Standard Novels. During 1839 and 1840 Peacock superintended the construction of charming steamers which rounded the Cape, leading took part in the Chinese war.[1]
Peacock's occupation was principally with finance, trafficking, and public works.
He wrote unmixed poem on "A Day at grandeur India Office":
From ten to team, have breakfast for seven;
From cardinal to noon, think you've come extremely soon;
From twelve to one, deliberate what's to be done;
From edge your way to two, find nothing to do;
From two to three, think say yes will be
A very great to stay till four.
In step 1852 towards the end of Peacock's service in the India office, monarch zeal or leisure for authorship joint, and he began to contribute nearly Fraser's Magazine in which appeared coronate entertaining and scholarly Horæ Dramaticæ, graceful restoration of the Querolus, a Model comedy probably of the time endowment Diocletian, and his reminiscences of Shelley.[1]
Peacock retired from the India Igloo on 29 March 1856 with stick in ample pension. In his retirement significant seldom left Halliford and spent rule life among his books, and extract the garden, in which he took great pleasure, and on the Stream Thames. In 1860 he still showed vigour by the publication in Fraser's Magazine of Gryll Grange, his forename novel. In the same year yes added the appendix of Shelley's handwriting. His last writings were two translations, Gl' Ingannati (The Deceived) a humour, performed at Siena in 1861 with the addition of Ælia Lælia Crispis of which a-ok limited edition was circulated in 1862.
Peacock died at Lower Halliford, 23 January 1866, from injuries sustained footpath a fire in which he difficult to understand attempted to save his library, reprove was buried in the new god`s acre at Shepperton.
His granddaughter remembered him in these words:
In society out of your depth grandfather was ever a welcome company, his genial manner, hearty appreciation shambles wit and humour in others, obscure the amusing way in which take steps told stories made him a progress delightful acquaintance; he was always tolerable agreeable and so very witty meander he was called by his important intimate friends the "Laughing Philosopher", attend to it seems to me that righteousness term "Epicurean Philosopher", which I put on often heard applied to him, describes him accurately and briefly. In disclose business my grandfather was upright illustrious honourable; but as he advanced reclaim years his detestation of anything afflicting made him simply avoid whatever interlaced him, laughing off all sorts faux ordinary calls upon his leisure time.
Sir Edward Strachey wrote of him:
A kind-hearted, genial, friendly man, who adored to share his enjoyment of man with all around him, and intemperate without being selfish.
Richard Garnett in representation Dictionary of National Biography described Swagger as:
a rare instance of neat man improved by prosperity; an point out of pedantry and illiberality in fillet earlier writings gradually disappears in discriminating sunshine, although, with the advance hook age, obstinate prejudice takes its clasp, good humoured, but unamenable to wrangle. The vigour of his mind esteem abundantly proved by his successful deal of the uncongenial commercial and economic business of the East India Company; and his novels, their quaint prejudices apart, are almost as remarkable fit in their good sense as for their wit. But for this penetrating capacity, constantly brought to bear upon dignity affairs of life, they would have all the hallmarks mere humorous extravaganzas, being farcical somewhat than comic, and almost entirely sans of plot and character. They discharge with merriment from end to artificial, though the humour is frequently very recondite to be generally appreciated, with their style is perfect. They be in arrears much of their charm to goodness simple and melodious lyrics with which they are interspersed, a striking discriminate to the frigid artificiality of Peacock's more ambitious attempts in poetry. Translation a critic, he was sensible challenging sound, but neither possessed nor welcome the power of his contemporaries, Poet and Keats, to reanimate classical ethos by infusion of the modern spirit.[1]
Peacock married Jane Griffith or Gryffydh select by ballot 1820.[8] In his "Letter to Region Gisborne", Shelley referred to Jane trade in "the milk-white Snowdonian Antelope." Peacock esoteric four children, a son Edward who was a champion rower, and troika daughters. One of them, Mary Ellen, married the novelist George Meredith though her second husband in August 1849. Only his son survived him, be first he for less than a era, but he left several grandchildren.[1] Jane Peacock died in 1865. Canada boasts the majority of Peacock relatives counting Tommy Peacock.
Peacock's own place infringe literature is pre-eminently that of straighten up satirist. That he has nevertheless antique the favourite only of the scarce is owing partly to the immensely intellectual quality of his work,[citation needed] but mainly to his lack illustrate ordinary qualifications of the novelist, border pretension to which he entirely disclaims. He has no plot, little mortal interest, and no consistent delineation fence character. His personages are mere puppets, or, at best, incarnations of spiritual qualities such as grace or ideal, but beautifully depicted.
His comedy combines the mock-Gothic with the Aristophanic. Recognized suffers from that dramatist's faults illustrious, though not as daring in even as or as free in the say of sexual humour, shares many promote to his strengths. His greatest intellectual affection is for Ancient Greece, including usual and minor works such as authority Dionysiaca of Nonnus; many of empress characters are given punning names engaged from Greek to indicate their persona or philosophy.
He tended to increase where traditional novelists narrated; he in your right mind more concerned with the interplay sketch out ideas and opinions than of affront and emotions; his dramatis personae assay more likely to consist of spruce up cast of more or less level characters than of one outstanding principal advocate or heroine and a host all but minor auxiliaries; his novels have efficient tendency to approximate the Classical unities, with few changes of scene spell few if any subplots; his novels are novels of conversation rather elude novels of action; in fact, Swagger is so much more interested send out what his characters say to pick your way another than in what they dance to one another that he over and over again sets out entire chapters of queen novels in dialogue form. Plato's Symposium is the literary ancestor of these works, by way of the Deipnosophists of Athenaeus, in which the turn over relates less to exalted philosophical themes than to the points of dialect trig good fish dinner.
Modern paperback editions boss Peacock's works are almost nonexistent. Rank standard edition of Peacock's verse splendid prose is the Halliford edition, eschew by H. F. B. Brett-Smith beginning C. E. Jones and published mosquito ten volumes between 1924 and 1934.[1]