Charles Bucke

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Charles Bucke
Born 16 April 1781 (1781-04-16)
Worlington, Suffolk, England Flag of England
Died 31 July 1846 (aged 65)
Pulteney-terrace, Islington England Flag of England
Occupation Poet, Writer, Philosophical observer, Playwright

Charles Bucke (16 April 1781 – 31 July 1846) was an English writer who, despite being poor most of his life, still managed to produce roughly eleven different works, each varying in number of volumes and topics.

Little was recorded concerning the life of Mr. Bucke, but he is remembered for a dispute with the actor Edmund Kean[1]. He worked for over thirty years on his publications, often recalling them repeatedly to re-edit them. This caused some of the same works to be published under different titles, most notably his two-volume series "The Philosophy of Nature, or the Influence of Scenery on the Heart and Mind", which he later expanded to four volumes under the title "On the Beauties, Harmonies, and Sublimities of Nature".[2]

Contents

[edit] Disputes with contemporaries

In the midst of writing, Mr. Bucke also clashed on occasion with fellow writers, and, in one instance, an actor, Edmund Kean. In the dispute with Kean, not much is known other than that in 1817 Bucke submitted his play "The Italians, or; The Fatal Accusation" to the Committee of Management at Drury Lane, got it accepted, and then withdrew it in February of 1819 on account of Kean[3]. Mr. Bucke then later had it republished with a preface concerning the incident, including excerpts from correspondences between the two, which was later challenged in two books, The Assailant Assailed and A Defense of Edmund Kean, Esq.. The ending result was loss of face on both sides and the play being performed anyway on April 3rd, 1819.

[edit] Death

Charles Bucke died on July 31st, 1846 at the age of 65, presumedly of natural causes, leaving behind a widow, two sons (the eldest of which is recorded as being 'imbecile from birth') and two daughters[4]

[edit] Bibliography

  • The philosophy of nature: or the influence of scenery on the mind and heart 2 vols, 1813; later 4 vols (under the title On the Beauties, Harmonies, and Sublimities of Nature, 1821)
  • Amusements in retirement; or the influence of science, literature, and the liberal arts 1816
  • The fall of the leaf, and other poems 1819
  • The Italians, or; The Fatal Accusation 1819
  • A classical grammar of the English language; with a short history of its origin and formation 1829
  • Julio Romano, or the force of the passions: an epic drama in six books 1830
  • On the life, writings, and genius of Akenside; with some account of his friends 1832
  • The book of human character 2 vols, 1837
  • A letter intended (one day) as a supplement to Lockhart's Life of Sir Walter Scott 1838
  • The life of John, Duke of Marlborough 1839
  • Ruins of Ancient Cities: with general and particular accounts of their rise, fall, and present condition 2 vols, 1840

[edit] References

  1. ^ Apple English Poetry.
  2. ^ Google Books
  3. ^ The Works of Lord Byron, footnote pg. 202
  4. ^ Google Books- The Gentleman's Magazine, obituaries (May 1847, pg. 558)


Persondata
NAME Bucke, Charles
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION English Writer
DATE OF BIRTH 16 April 1781 (1781-04-16)
PLACE OF BIRTH Worlington, Suffolk England
DATE OF DEATH 31 July 1846
PLACE OF DEATH Pulteney-terrace, Islington England