The Life of James Thomson (‘B.V’)

Henry S. Salt

• Publisher: Reeves and Turner, London
• Published: 1889
• Length: 335
• Format: Hardback

Summary

In The Life of James Thomson (“B.V.”), Henry S. Salt crafts a meticulous and respectful biography of the poet and essayist James Thomson, best known for his pessimistic masterpiece The City of Dreadful Night. Acknowledging his lack of personal acquaintance with Thomson, Salt nonetheless weaves together an insightful narrative, drawing heavily on Thomson’s letters and the recollections of friends and correspondents. The book reflects Salt’s intention to avoid imaginative embellishment, instead providing an authentic and reliable portrayal of Thomson’s troubled life, marked by intellectual brilliance and personal struggles.

Salt’s use of Thomson’s correspondence gives readers direct insight into the poet’s thoughts, while his reliance on notable figures such as Bertram Dobell and Percy Holyoake lends the work additional credibility through primary sources like diaries, letters, and manuscripts. The biography, praised for its thoroughness and respect for the complexities of Thomson’s character, also explores the poet’s relationships with key literary figures of his time, including George Meredith and William Rossetti.

As The Labour Leader notes in its review, Salt’s work is essential for those seeking a thoughtful and informed understanding of Thomson’s life and literary legacy. By presenting the facts with clarity and avoiding excessive sentimentality, Salt allows Thomson’s own voice to resonate, making this biography a vital read for those interested in one of Victorian England’s most enigmatic literary figures.

Content

• Preface
• Youth
• Army Schoolmaster
• Life in London
• Visits to America and Spain
• "The City of the Dreadful Night"
• Seven Songless Years
• Between Leicester and London
• Last Days
• Pessimist and Poet
• Index

Reviews

• The Life of James Thomson (B.V.) To-day, 1889