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Informationen zum Autor William Thomas Beckford (1760 - 1844) was an English novelist, a profligate and consummately knowledgeable art collector and patron of works of decorative art, a critic, travel writer and sometime politician, reputed at one stage in his life to be the richest commoner in England. His parents were William Beckford and Maria Hamilton, daughter of the Hon. George Hamilton. He was Member of Parliament for Wells from 1784 to 1790, for Hindon from 1790 to 1795 and 1806 to 1820. Klappentext Azemia is a satirical attack on what William Beckford perceived as characteristically feminine novel-writing. First published in 1797, under the pseudonym Jacquetta Agneta Mariana Jenks, it joined its companion volume Modern Novel Writing, or, The Elegant Enthusiast (1796) in ridiculing the sentimental and sensational novels of the day, and especially the productions of William Lane's Minerva Press. However, it is also a biting political satire, attacking the Tory party and its leader, William Pitt the Younger, for the war with France, repressive legislation, and neglect of the poor. This is the first-ever scholarly edition of the novel and includes a new introduction by Robert J. Gemmett, as well as thorough annotations, a bibliography, and contemporary illustrations.William Beckford (1760-1844) was a novelist, travel writer, art critic, and collector. One of the most controversial figures of his time, as well reputedly the richest man in England, he is probably best remembered as the author of the Gothic novel Vathek (1786) and the creator of Fonthill Abbey. Robert J. Gemmett, Professor of English at the State University of New York, Brockport, is an acknowledged expert on William Beckford and is the author of numerous books and articles on his life and works. He is also editor of the first scholarly edition of Modern Novel Writing, published in 2008.
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William Thomas Beckford (1760-1844) was an English novelist, art critic, planter, and politician. Born in London, he was the son of William Beckford and Maria Hamilton, daughter of the Hon. George Hamilton. Beckford gained prominence as one of England's wealthiest commoners during his time. In 1783, Beckford married Lady Margaret Gordon, the daughter of the fourth Earl of Aboyne. However, it was known that Beckford was bisexual, and following a scandal involving intercepted letters to William Courtenay (later the 9th Earl of Devon), Beckford chose self-exile from British society. He spent some time in Portugal in 1793, where he engaged in a relationship with a young male musician named Gregorio Franchi. Despite his accomplishments in literature, Beckford became equally famous for his eccentricities as a builder and collector. He undertook extravagant building projects, including the construction of Fonthill Abbey in Wiltshire and Beckford's Tower in Bath. However, these ventures led to the dissipation of his fortune, exacerbated by the loss of one of his Jamaican sugar plantations to James Beckford Wildman. At the time of his death, Beckford's capital had dwindled to a mere £80,000, a fraction of his former wealth. While he left a lasting legacy through his literary works and architectural contributions, William Beckford's life was marked by both extravagance and controversy.
