
AUTOBIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES. - BY - THOMAS DE QUINCEY - SELECTIONS, GRAVE AND GAY, FROM WRITINGS PUBLISHED AND UNPUBLISHED, - BY THOMAS DE QUINCEY. - EXTRACT FROM A LETTER WRITTEN BY MR. DE QUINCEY TO THE AMERICAN EDITOR OF THIS WORKS.
MY DEAR SIR:
PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION
FOOTNOTES
AUTOBIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES. - CHAPTER I. - THE AFFLICTION OF CHILDHOOD.
FOOTNOTES
CHAPTER II. - INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF STRIFE.
FOOTNOTES
CHAPTER III. - INFANT LITERATURE.
FOOTNOTES
A strikingly honest portrait emerges from this collection of personal sketches, where the author balances solemn reflection with wry humor. The pieces range from the deeply contemplative to the delightfully playful, offering a window into the mind of a writer who was as comfortable probing his own anxieties as he was indulging in witty observation. Readers will find a voice that is unmistakably candid, inviting you to share in the moments that shaped his literary life.
The editor’s note reveals a purposeful revisiting of earlier work, with revisions, omissions, and fresh additions that speak to the author’s evolving standards. As he grapples with what to keep, discard, or reshape, the narrative provides insight into the creative tensions of a 19th‑century mind. This blend of self‑assessment and literary history makes the collection a compelling listen for anyone curious about the inner workings of a classic writer’s imagination.
Language
en
Duration
~12 hours (712K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-01-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1785–1859
Best known for turning addiction, dreams, and memory into unforgettable prose, this English essayist brought a dark, intensely personal voice to 19th-century literature. His most famous work, Confessions of an English Opium-Eater, helped make him one of the era’s most distinctive nonfiction writers.
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