Thomas Amory
Thomas Amory was an Irish-born writer known for his unique contributions to British literature, particularly in the early development of the novel. He spent his early years in Dublin, where he met the famous satirist Jonathan Swift and engaged with local musicians. After moving to London, Amory became a reclusive figure, often described as eccentric and rarely leaving his home. Despite perceptions of him being of unsound mind, modern scholars recognize his work as innovative, setting the stage for future literary forms.
Amory's notable works include "Memoirs Containing the Lives of Several Ladies of Great Britain," published in 1755, and "The Life of John Buncle, Esq." which was released in two volumes in 1756 and 1766. Both works are characterized by their eclectic subjects and unconventional narratives, with Amory exploring themes of literature, religion, and personal relationships. His writing style has drawn comparisons to that of François Rabelais and later Dickensian elements. Amory remained largely private throughout his life, producing little in his later years, and he passed away at the age of ninety-seven. His legacy lies in the distinctive and pioneering narrative approach he brought to 18th-century literature.
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Subject Terms
Thomas Amory
Writer
- Born: c. 1691
- Birthplace: Ireland
- Died: November 25, 1788
- Place of death: England
Biography
Born in Ireland, Thomas Amory lived his early years in Dublin, where he met Jonathan Swift and enjoyed tavern life with popular fiddlers and bagpipe players. Amory’s father served William III as secretary for Ireland’s forfeited estates and then lived at Bunratty Castle, County Clare. The younger Amory came to know Jonathan Swift before moving to London, where he spent most of his long and very private life as a man of letters. Observers described him as an eccentric gentleman who rarely appeared outside his home, except occasionally at dusk. Some thought his aspect so peculiar and his works so eccentric that he was considered of unsound mind, but modern scholars see his work as a precursor to the novel. A Deist and Unitarian, Amory entered the history of British literature chiefly on the idiosyncrasies of two works, both featuring a wide range of subjects treated in no organized way. His Memoirs Containing the Lives of Several Ladies of Great Britain appeared in 1755. It focused principally on one lady’s life, while referring to several others amid miscellaneous discussions of literature and religion. The following year the first volume of The Life of John Buncle, Esq. was published, with the second appearing ten years later. These gained attention for their place in the development of the English novel, once again combining all manner of topics in a structure framed by a succession of marriages to one lady after another in one mansion after another. Each woman personified a different ideal in the author’s mind; all were Deists. The Life of John Buncle, Esq. proved to be mostly fiction. It did, however, contain autobiographical moments, such as the descriptions of known musicians in a tavern of the early 1720’s. Some critics have characterized Amory’s work as somewhat akin to that of François Rabelais and as displaying what would become the Dickensian spirit. The final two decades yielded little from the reclusive Amory, who died at ninety-seven years of age.