William Makepeace Thackeray

The Fitz-boodle Papers: Special Biographical Edition, Vol. 2 William Makepeace Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) was famous for his satirical novels, particularly Vanity Fair, a panoramic portrait of English society of the 19th century. This volume contains the last part of the Fitz-boodle Papers which tells the story of a bachelor clubman's amorous misadventures, and Catherine, Thackeray's attempt to counteract Charles Dickens' portraits of loveable criminals. In his first full-length work, Thackeray chose a real life criminal whom he could portray in as unflattering terms as possible, Catherine Hayes who was burned at the stake for murdering her husband in 1726. However, he developed a "sneaking kindness" for Catherine and made her and her criminal companions seem appealing.