author
Julian Sharman
1851–1901
A Victorian writer and editor with a taste for unusual subjects, Julian Sharman explored everything from profanity and social customs to the books and poetry associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. His lively, curious approach makes his work a fascinating window into nineteenth-century literary and antiquarian culture.
1 Audiobook
A cursory history of swearing
by Julian Sharman
About the author
Julian Sharman (1851–1901) was an English writer and editor whose surviving work reflects a broad interest in language, history, literature, and social customs. He is best known for A Cursory History of Swearing, first published in 1884, an entertaining historical study of oaths, curses, and profanity.
Sharman also edited The Proverbs of John Heywood and The Poems of Mary, Queen of Scots, and wrote The Library of Mary Queen of Scots, published in 1889. These books show his interest in early English writing, historical figures, rare books, and the relationship between language and society.
Although little personal information about Sharman is readily documented, his books remain valuable for their distinctive blend of research, anecdote, and accessible commentary. They present him as a lively Victorian antiquarian with an eye for overlooked corners of literary and cultural history.