Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton

Kenelm Chillingly - Volume 2 (Dodo Press) Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton

Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803-1873) was an English novelist, poet, playwright, and politician. In 1822 he entered Trinity College, Cambridge and in 1825 won the Chancellor's Gold Medal for English verse. Lord Lytton's literary career began in 1820, with the publication of his first book of poems, and spanned much of the nineteenth century. He wrote in a variety of genres, including historical fiction, mystery, romance, the occult, and science fiction. In 1828 he attracted general attention with Pelham. By 1833, he had reached the height of his popularity with Godolphin, followed by The Pilgrims of the Rhine (1834). His influence was perhaps most keenly felt when, on the Whigs' dismissal from office in 1834, he issued a pamphlet entitled A Letter to a Late Cabinet Minister on the Crisis. Lord Melbourne, then Prime Minister, offered him a lordship of the admiralty, which he declined as likely to interfere with his activity as an author. Amongst his other works are Kenelm Chillingly (1873), The Parisians (1873), Pamphlets and Sketches (1875), Quarterly Essay (1875) and Zicci (1876).