The Life and Errors of John Dunton, Citizen of London, Volume 2This two-volume work, originally published in 1705 and now reissued in John Nichols' edition of 1818, was one of the earliest examples of autobiographical writing in English. John Dunton (1659-1732), a highly eccentric bookseller and publisher, was also responsible for one of the first periodicals in London, the Athenian Gazette, which invited its readers to submit questions on any topic, to be answered by the Athenian Society, a group of learned men (in fact, Dunton himself and some cronies). However, he was not a practical businessman, and the death of his wife and his own illness led to poverty, and to hack-work for others. The Life and Errors was followed by pamphlets attacking those whom he blamed for his misfortunes. The work gives a fascinating picture of authors and the book trade in Restoration London. Volume 2 contains selections by Nichols from Dunton's works. |
Common terms and phrases
answer Auction Author Bishop body Books character Christian Church conversation Country death desire Dissenting Divine Doctor Doctor of Divinity Dublin Dunton Enemies England excellent eyes find first Friend gave Gentlemen George give given hand happy hath hear Heaven History honest honour hope ingenious Ireland Italy John justice Kilkenny kind King Lady late learned leave Letter live London look Lord Madam Master mean meet mind Moderator Nature never noble obliging observes pass person pious poor preach present printed prove published Queen Ramble reason Religion respect seen sense sent Sermon serve shew soul speak sure tell temper thing thou thought told true truth virtue whole Wife worth write