Charles Kingsley

Robert Fraser (The Open University)
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Novelist and priest, social reformer and historian, naturalist and poet, Charles Kingsley's activities span the Victorian age. He was a monarchist and a radical, a churchman and a freethinker, a supporter of the army and a prophet of peace. Among his lasting works are stories originally designed for his children in which, speaking with supreme simplicity, he encapsulates the key issues of his time.

He was born at Holne in Devon in 1819. His mother had grown up in Barbados; his father was a somewhat lackadaisical Anglican priest. At Helston Grammar School he studied under Derwent, son of the poet Coleridge. A period at King's College, London then brought him under the influence of the broad churchman F. D. Maurice, whose liberal views on theology, biblical interpretation and social reform

1024 words

Citation: Fraser, Robert. "Charles Kingsley". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 07 July 2001 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=2513, accessed 19 March 2024.]

2513 Charles Kingsley 1 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.

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