Charles Lamb

by Charles Lamb

Published 18 March 1949

Charles Lamb (1775-1834), essayist, poet, humorist, critic and letter-writer, has an enduring reputation for his early "Tales from Shakespeare" (1807), written in collaboration with his sister Mary, and his " Essays of Elia," first published in the "London Magazine." This thematic selection of Lamb's writings - essays, dramatic criticism, verse and letters - not only demonstrates his literary achievements; it forms a self-portrait of the writer: generous, amused, and gregarious, finding imaginative escape from grim circumstances in the teeming life of London and the theatre. The reader is drawn into the circle of Lamb's friends, enjoying the company of the most personal of English essayists. J.E. Morpurgo's introduction and notes set Lamb's writings in their contemporary context.


Charles Lamb and Elia

by Charles Lamb

Published 25 March 1993
Charles Lamb (1775-1834), essayist, poet, humourist, critic, letterwriter and friend, has an enduring literary reputation. His "Tales from Shakespear" (1807) and "Specimens of English Dramatic Poets" (1808) were followed in 1820 by the first of his 67 "Essays of Elia" published in the "London Magazine" which made his literary reputation. Reading these essays draws one into Lamb's circle of friends, sitting by his fireside and enjoying the company of the most personal of English essayists. This book contains a representative selection from his writings - essays, dramatic criticism, verse and letters which demonstrates his literary achievements, and is at the same time his autobiography.