An Autobiography of Anthony Trollope

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

5978

Title

An Autobiography of Anthony Trollope

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this candid memoir, Anthony Trollope offers an unvarnished look at his life as a writer and former Chancery barrister. Blending personal anecdotes with reflections on the craft of fiction, the text explores themes of poverty, ambition, and the relentless discipline required for literary success. Trollope defends his prolific output against critics who prioritize quality over quantity, arguing that constancy in labor is the true path to achievement. With a tone that oscillates between humble self-deprecation and confident assertion, the...

Summary up to 500 words

Written by Henry M. Trollope at his father's request and published posthumously in 1883, *An Autobiography of Anthony Trollope* chronicles the life of one of England's most prolific novelists. The narrative begins with Anthony's difficult childhood in London, marked by poverty following his father's failed farming ambitions and legal career. Forced to abandon the law for literature, Anthony endured harsh treatment at Harrow School before rising through the ranks of the Post Office while secretly writing novels. A significant portion of the memoir details Anthony's philosophy on writing. He rejects the notion that high volume compromises quality, citing his earnings of nearly £70,000 as proof that diligence yields comfort rather than splendor. Addressing criticisms regarding his speed, he asserts that rapid composition does not preclude accuracy if one reads manuscripts repeatedly; he typically read his work four times before publication. He discusses major works such as *Barchester Towers*, *The Small House at Allington*, and the multi-novel sequence featuring Plantagenet Palliser and Lady Glencora. These characters allowed him to express political and social convictions without speaking in Parliament, serving as safety-valves for his soul. Throughout the text, Anthony maintains a voice that is honest, direct, and deeply appreciative of simple pleasures like work, family, and nature. He offers an intimate portrait of a man who found his greatest happiness in the act of creation itself. The memoir concludes with a comprehensive list of his published works and their earnings, totaling over £68,000 by the time of his death in 1882. Anthony's legacy is defined not just by his output, which exceeded that of Carlyle and Voltaire combined, but by his perseverance and the enduring truth he found in his craft.

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Categories

• Classics
• Biography