British literature

British literature is literature from the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. The largest part of this literature is written in the English language, but there are also separate literatures in the Welsh language, Scottish Gaelic, Scots and other languages. Northern Ireland is the only part of Ireland still part of the United Kingdom and it possesses literature in English, Ulster Scots and Irish. Irish writers have also played an important part in the development of English-language literature.

English language literature from 1660 to the late 18th century

The position of Poet Laureate was formalised in this period.

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The early 18th century is known as the Augustan Age of English literature. The poetry of the time was highly formal, as exemplified by the works of Alexander Pope.

Related Topics:
18th century - Augustan Age - Alexander Pope

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Although the documented history of Irish theatre began at least as early as 1601, the earliest Irish dramatists of note were William Congreve, one of the most interesting writers of Restoration comedies, and Oliver Goldsmith and Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who were two of the most successful playwrights on the London stage in the 18th century.

Related Topics:
1601 - William Congreve - Restoration comedies - Richard Brinsley Sheridan

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The English novel developed during the 18th century, partly in response to an expansion of the middle class reading public. One of the major early works in this genre was Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. The 18th century novel tended to be loosely structured and semi-comic. Major novelists of the middle and later part of the century included Henry Fielding, Laurence Sterne and Tobias Smollett, who was a great influence on Charles Dickens.

Related Topics:
Novel - Robinson Crusoe - Daniel Defoe - Henry Fielding - Laurence Sterne - Tobias Smollett - Charles Dickens

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Although the epics of Celtic Ireland were written in prose and not verse, most people would probably consider that Irish fiction proper begins in the 18th century with the works of Jonathan Swift (especially Gulliver's Travels) and Oliver Goldsmith (especially The Vicar of Wakefield).

Related Topics:
Epic - 18th century - Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels - Oliver Goldsmith - The Vicar of Wakefield

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• First novel in English
• Cavalier poet