Life of Matthew G. Lewis

Matthew Lewis (17775-1818), author of The Monk-one of the most famous of gothic novels-is attracting increasing attention for his own talent and his pre-eminence in the gothic school.

The gothic mode, aside from its intrinsic interest, is important because of its distinct influence in British, continental, and American literature.

Yet a full-length biography of Lewis has not appeared since 1839.For the nonspecialist seeking an introduction to Romanticism and the Regency, Lewis is a valuable man to know, with his varied literary interests-poetry, the novel, drama-and his wide acquaintance: royalty, the peerage, literary celebrities like Byron, Scott, Shelley, Sheridan, and the theatrical world.

As a writer he showed uncanny anticipation of popular literary trends and a talent for the spectacular.

This new biography, based on information which has appeared since 1839 and on new material, presents the whole man, not a selection of eccentricities.

It includes treatment of all his works and a section of newly edited correspondence.