John Wilkes: The Lives of a LibertineAshgate, 2006 - 282 Seiten John Wilkes remains one of the most colourful and intriguing characters of eighteenth-century Britain. Born in 1725, the son of a prosperous London distiller, he was given the classical education of a gentleman, before entering politics as a Whig. Finding his party in opposition following the accession of George III in 1760 he took up his pen with sensational effect, and made a career out of excoriating the new administration and promoting the Whig interest. His charismatic style and vicious wit soon ensured that he became a figurehead for the radical cause, earning him many admirers and many enemies. Amongst the latter were the king, and the artist William Hogarth who famously depicted Wilkes as a grinning, squint-eyed, pug-nosed agent of misrule. Whilst Wilkes's political career has been much explored, particularly the period between 1763 and 1774, much less has been written about his remarkable private life. This biography provides a more comprehensive examination of Wilkes throughout his long life than has hitherto been available. Taking a thematic, rather than chronological approach it is divided into six main chapters covering family, ambition, sex, religion, class and money, which allows a much more rounded picture of Wilkes to emerge. In so doing it provides a fascinating insight, not only into one of the most intriguing characters of the Georgian period, but also into wider eighteenth-century British society and its shifting attitudes to morality, politics and gender. |
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Seite 63
... claimed that he ' soon warmly espous'd the North Briton ... [ and ] tho ' the least heated of the party , came to Lord Temple upon the report of Mr. Wilkes's accepting the government of Canada , and declar'd if he went to America , the ...
... claimed that he ' soon warmly espous'd the North Briton ... [ and ] tho ' the least heated of the party , came to Lord Temple upon the report of Mr. Wilkes's accepting the government of Canada , and declar'd if he went to America , the ...
Seite 77
... claimed that Wilkes only went to Menin when he knew that Forbes was incommunicado in London , and that ' the moment he hears that Forbes has left England he resolutely runs over to attack him'.127 Even newspaper essays in his support ...
... claimed that Wilkes only went to Menin when he knew that Forbes was incommunicado in London , and that ' the moment he hears that Forbes has left England he resolutely runs over to attack him'.127 Even newspaper essays in his support ...
Seite 133
... claiming that ' there were not only sentiments of piety , there was in his mind a tincture of superstition ' . The ... claimed ' never to neglect the inward warnings of futurity ' . ? Yet this change of attitude did not extend to an ...
... claiming that ' there were not only sentiments of piety , there was in his mind a tincture of superstition ' . The ... claimed ' never to neglect the inward warnings of futurity ' . ? Yet this change of attitude did not extend to an ...
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