A Shelley Primer
Henry S. Salt
- Publisher: Reeves and Turner, London
- Published: 1887
- Length: 128
- Format: Hardback
- First Edition Reprint
- 1969 Kennikat Press Corp., Port Washington, New York, Hardback
- First Edition Reprint
- 1975 AMS Press, New York, Hardback
Summary
Published in 1887, Henry S. Salt’s A Shelley Primer serves as an insightful introduction to the life, works, and philosophy of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Drawing extensively from the Prefaces and Notes to Messrs. Forman’s and Rossetti’s editions of Shelley’s works, as well as the critical and biographical writings of other Shelley scholars, Salt offers a thorough and enlightening exploration of the poet’s literary development and thought, while examining his lasting influence on literature and society.
The book navigates through Shelley’s turbulent life, from his early radicalism to his exile in Italy, providing a detailed account of his relationships, including his marriage to Mary Shelley and friendships with figures like Byron and Leigh Hunt. Through a comprehensive examination of Shelley’s poetry and prose, Salt highlights the evolution of his literary style, deeply influenced by his idealism and belief in the perfectibility of humankind.
In a straightforward, educational tone, A Shelley Primer offers readers not just a biography but a critical study of Shelley’s artistic vision, philosophical ideas, and the complex emotional and intellectual landscape he navigated. Aimed at both new readers and seasoned scholars, Salt presents Shelley as a figure whose spirit and ideas continue to resonate through the ages, making this book a valuable guide for understanding one of the Romantic era’s most radical poets.
Content
- State of England in Shelley’s Lifetimes
- Shelley's Life and Character
- Shelley's Opinions
- Literary Characteristics
- Literary Periods of Shelley’s Life
- The Poems
- Prose Works
- Text, Original Editions, etc.
- Shelley’s Influence on Literature and Thought
- Chief Authorities, Biographies, Reviews, etc.
What the Critics Said
“Mr. Salt shows critical judgment in the way he analyses the component elements of imagination and intellect which went to form Shelley’s genius.”—Athenæum
