Samuel Richardson
Samuel Richardson was an English writer and printer known for three epistolary novels: Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded (1740), Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady (1748) and The History of Sir Charles Grandison (1753). He printed almost 500 works, including journals and magazines, working periodically with the London bookseller Andrew Millar. Richardson had been apprenticed to a printer, whose daughter he eventually married. He lost her along with their six children, but remarried and had six more children, of whom four daughters reached adulthood, leaving no male heirs to continue the print shop. As it ran down, he wrote his first novel at the age of 51 and joined the admired writers of his day. Leading acquaintances included Samuel Johnson and Sarah Fielding, the physician and Behmenist George Cheyne, and the theologian and writer William Law, whose books he printed. At Law's request, Richardson printed some poems by John Byrom. In literature, he rivalled Henry Fielding; the two responded to each other's literary styles.
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 2
Torn between family demands and her own heart, a young woman fights for her freedom in a world determined to control her destiny.
By Samuel Richardson
Samuel Richardson's Introduction to Pamela
Discover how a virtuous servant girl's story sparked both admiration and controversy, igniting a debate about morality, class, and the power of literature to shape society.
By Samuel Richardson
Clarissa: Preface, Hints of Prefaces, and Postscript
Told through revealing letters, a young woman of virtue navigates family pressure, unwanted advances, and the perils of superficial love.
By Samuel Richardson
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 3
Amidst family drama and a manipulative suitor, a young woman’s fight for independence unfolds through a series of revealing letters.
By Samuel Richardson
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 8
A virtuous young lady battles family discord and a complicated relationship, hoping to find peace amidst heartbreak.
By Samuel Richardson
Pamela, Volume II
As a woman navigates the complexities of marriage and society in 18th-century England, her virtue is tested, her family bonds are strengthened, and her social standing is solidified.
By Samuel Richardson
The History of Sir Charles Grandison, Volume 4 (of 7)
Witness the heartache and trials of an exceptional gentleman as he navigates the difficult choices between familial duty, societal expectation and personal desires in 18th-century Europe.
By Samuel Richardson
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 6
In a world of strict expectations and twisted desires, a young woman fights for her virtue against a relentless pursuer whose inner battles mirror her own.
By Samuel Richardson
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 1
Torn between family expectations and forbidden love, a young woman risks everything to preserve her freedom and dignity, revealing a world of rigid social rules and the cost of defiance.
By Samuel Richardson
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 7
Bound by expectations, a young woman wages war against manipulation while fighting for her independence, revealing the power of moral fiber through desperate correspondence with friends and foes.
By Samuel Richardson
Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded
A young servant's virtue is tested as she navigates her master's confusing affection, all while she reveals her inner feelings through heartfelt letters to her family.
By Samuel Richardson
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 9
In a world of societal pressures, a woman's virtue is tested as she faces failing health, conflicted relationships, and the pursuit of forgiveness, all while her loved ones grapple with her impending fate.
By Samuel Richardson
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 5
Bound by duty and desire, a young lady finds herself ensnared in a web of manipulation and deceit and must battle against a cunning gentleman and society.
By Samuel Richardson
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 4
A young woman finds herself ensnared in a dangerous game of love and deception, battling for freedom against a charming manipulator and the unforgiving judgment of society.
By Samuel Richardson