Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho

Caroline Webber (Independent Scholar - Australia)
Download PDF Add to Bookshelf Report an Error

Radcliffe’s best-known work – and a bestseller in its day –

The Mysteries of Udolpho

, was first published in 1794 and it earned her £500. Even today at least six different publishers currently have a version of

The Mysteries of Udolpho

in print, testament to its long-lasting appeal.

The Mysteries of Udolpho

tells the story of Emily, an orphaned heroine, who struggles against her oppressive and tyrannical captor Montini. Talfourd writes:

This splendid series of fictions became immediately popular with the numerous class of readers, who seek principally for amusement, and soon attracted the attention of the finer spirits of the age. Dr. Joseph Warton, the Head Master of Winchester School, who was far advanced in life when “The Mysteries of Udolpho” was published, told Mr.

2022 words

Citation: Webber, Caroline. "The Mysteries of Udolpho". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 11 October 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=110, accessed 19 March 2024.]

110 The Mysteries of Udolpho 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

Save this article

If you need to create a new bookshelf to save this article in, please make sure that you are logged in, then go to your 'Account' here

Leave Feedback

The Literary Encyclopedia is a living community of scholars. We welcome comments which will help us improve.